who thinks this is true?

[Shadowy Lady]

I had heard about this too but it ended up not being true for me. I didn't have an epidural mainly so I can be in control during labour. However, I found that I just could not push her down while on all four or standing. I ended up pushing LO out on my back and one leg over a midwife's leg and the other midwife guiding me.

It was a great pushing experience though, only lasted 30 mins (and this was my first baby) and I didn't tear or graze.

 

[BunnyN]

I had heard about this too but it ended up not being true for me. I didn't have an epidural mainly so I can be in control during labour. However, I found that I just could not push her down while on all four or standing. I ended up pushing LO out on my back and one leg over a midwife's leg and the other midwife guiding me.

It was a great pushing experience though, only lasted 30 mins (and this was my first baby) and I didn't tear or graze.

Every woman is different so I'm sure being on your back works best for some. The good thing about not having an epidural is that you can actually feel what is best for your own body. Also I think there is a big difference between spending the whole labour on your back and part of the pushing stage on your back. The baby is always moving down and turning so is putting pressure in different parts of your body. Sometimes you need different positions at different parts of the labour and delivery. I was in agony if I tried to lie down for most of my labour but by the time pushing really got started lying down was fine. I pushed for an hour and changed positions a few times.

 

[Shadowy Lady]

I had heard about this too but it ended up not being true for me. I didn't have an epidural mainly so I can be in control during labour. However, I found that I just could not push her down while on all four or standing. I ended up pushing LO out on my back and one leg over a midwife's leg and the other midwife guiding me.

It was a great pushing experience though, only lasted 30 mins (and this was my first baby) and I didn't tear or graze.

Every woman is different so I'm sure being on your back works best for some. The good thing about not having an epidural is that you can actually feel what is best for your own body. Also I think there is a big difference between spending the whole labour on your back and part of the pushing stage on your back. The baby is always moving down and turning so is putting pressure in different parts of your body. Sometimes you need different positions at different parts of the labour and delivery. I was in agony if I tried to lie down for most of my labour but by the time pushing really got started lying down was fine. I pushed for an hour and changed positions a few times.

i agree. I laboured walking around, in the jaccuzi, kneeling,...anything but being on my back. I cannot even imagine being on my back for duration of labour (eventhough I had a fast labour)

 

[bamm]

I don't have any experience other than labouring on my back, but it definitely was not enjoyable. I tore and it was a solid hour and 10 min of pushing. I had to be induced with constant monitoring, so I didn't get a choice in it.

 

[dvc2012]

I have heard this before and I believe it is true. I delivered on my back, but I was given the option to switch positions, but I was so cranky, I yelled at the nurse to leave me alone and stop trying to move me I had the epidural, but it wore off after a few hours.

 

[Jonesy25]

I was labouring on my back and the midwife asked me if i wanted to move, i moved halfway round to all fours and screamed as i found it more painful and went back to lying on my back......the epidural came soon after that

 

[ClairAye]

I had no choice but to be on my back with my first due to having his heartbeat monitored, I had a long labour and found it hard to push and had a forceps delivery after almost 3 hours of pushing, I also had an epidural and had it topped up, not sure if it was the position etc because most things in my labour went wrong.

This time I laboured standing, sitting in a bath or on a ball or sofa until around just over an hour before giving birth, I was 'on my back' then with the top part of the bed sat up, my labour progressed much, much faster and I pushed her out in 8 minutes - gas and air was the only medical pain relief I had.

 

[wamommy]

I delivered 3 babies without medication on my back, and it worked for me! I didn't go to my back until the pushing phase, though. I preferred hands and knees for labor, but felt wobbly and out of control once I started pushing. I only had to push 3 or 4 times though, so that may be why it worked for me. Had it been a prolonged stage I probably would have tried something else.

 

[superbecks]

Nobody makes you lay on your back. Even if you have the monitor on you can be on a birth ball, upright, kneeling etc. And yes of course if intervention is needed you have to be on your back, you can't do an episiotomy/forceps or ventouse in any other position unless you want your perineum ruining even more!

 

[katherinegrey]

I had to have monitoring and was strapped to the bed on my back, I was only allowed to move around for about an hour of my labour, and the moving around was much better, I was able to move through the pain, when I strapped to the bed it felt like torture, I ended up getting an epidural but I'm glad I did as I needed an episiotomy and ventouse and forceps delivery as he was so big, and back to back and stargazing, I think lying on your back makes the pain worse and makes you more likely to want an epidural to be honest.

 

[chulie]

Would not have been true for me...I can only speak from personal experience but I went to the hospital with contractions at 7 am..got an epidural at 9...had dd at 11:08 am after pushing through 3 contractions...all on my back...so...that's just fact for me. Being on my back did not hinder my birth at all...in fact..if it did stall it I'm glad it did cause my dr JUST made it in time. Hahahaa.

 

[Mrs Doddy]

It was awful for me .. I really don't want to have to go through it again , I hope this time can be different tho it didn't effect the labouring as such it was only 4hrs 45mins

 

[goddess25]

1st baby on back was struck and he was in an awful position, needed forceps and had 3rd degree tear.

2nd was on hands and knees but constantly moving in labour as she was in a poor position, pushed her out in a few pushes and it felt way more natural.

3rd was in a squat and he just popped out.

 

[madasa]

Ive heard that delivering on your back is the worst position to deliver and actually makes delivery harder. If this is true wouldn't that mean we should all NOT get epidurals so we can get out of bed?

No, but it does mean that if you have an epi you need more support to change position and help your baby wiggle down through your pelvis. This is because an epi also means no muscle tone, so your baby has nothing to push against to turn and wiggle their way down and out. Birth is something mum and baby do TOGETHER The reality is you will probably have less support because you will be a quieter, easier patient. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. :/

Epidurals are useful tools in some labours, though.