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Nefertiti
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Topic: Birthing Positions Posted: 29 March 2008 at 8:56pm |
I was just thinking as I was posting in another thread, about all the different positions when giving birth. And thought that some of you might like to share them.
For my 1st I had to have an epidural. Yes, had to because of BP. So for this, I was on my back.
2nd - was on my back. Cant remember now if I tried other positions...she is 14 now lol. Plus it was all over in an hour!
3rd - had a spinal tap, so was on my back again lol. But mw did try and get me to change to my knees at some stage after the tap was wearing off...but I couldnt hardly support myself!
And with all 3, the placenta was delivered while on my back. This is what got me thinking about positions, as someone mentioned in a previous thread about squating over a container to deliver the placenta.
Anyway, if you feel like sharing please do. It may even help some of the ladies who are going to be first time birthing!
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Maya
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:03pm |
I was sitting up semi-reclined holding my knees up both times. When I was pushing with Sienna Willie and my midwife held one knee each, with Maya I held them myself. Delivered the placenta in the same position.
When Sienna was taking a long time to descend my midwife said that in ordinary circumstances she would have gotten me up on all fours but as I had both a fetal scalp monitor and a CTG trace on (one on each baby) and was soooo huge it wasn't viable.
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:07pm |
I was semi reclined on my back with both. I had DH and the reg holding my legs with Andrew and with Josh I hade DH holding one leg and me the other.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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monster
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:11pm |
I was sitting on a birthing stool - sort of squatting when I gave birth. I also had periods on all fours (in bath), on swiss ball, and standing with one leg up on a chair (to help move him during pushing stage).
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busymum
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:19pm |
I was semi-reclined too. Stupid name! Sounds relaxing ROFL. Anyway I was more comfy on my knees leaning over the head of the bed or similar but when I bear down with Kryssi I was squatting back too far to the bed. With Briona I went from semi-reclined up to knees and she started moving back up so I had to go back to my back!
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Kels
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:24pm |
I was standing for both my VB leaning over the bed for support. I found it the most comfortable position.
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Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs
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HippyMama
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:30pm |
I was semi-reclined but in a birthing pool, so not a heap of options - was lovely to give birth in the water though and I'd definitely do it again!
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emz
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 9:48pm |
I was on my back cos of the epi, couldn't have been any other way though as I had the fetal scalp monitor and CTG. Plus he was posterior and I had to be on my back to try and get him to turn (he was heading for my leg lol) but it didn't work.
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floss
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 10:06pm |
With Sienna I was kneeling on the bed which was semi reclined and with Noah & Lola I was semi reclined cos it all happened so fast I didn't have much of an option
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My beautiful big girl Sienna 15.04.06
Double the trouble double the fun Noah & Lola 10/11/07
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 10:49pm |
lol does sound like your relaxing when saying semi reclined..
I guess thats how i was too - semi reclined.
Had 2 midwives at first birth. And all births ive had someone standing on either side where ive had my feet on their hips and me supporting/holding my thighs.
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Mazzy
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Posted: 29 March 2008 at 11:30pm |
Wow! All you ladies who were on your backs! I've been told so many times that this is the most uncomfortable way to labour/give birth. You legends! Or my information is probably wrong
I was standing up leaning over the bed, with heaps of pillows in front of me (I'm tall so needed the extra height). Stayed in this position from start to finish, I couldn't move an inch!
Birthed the placenta on my back, however, while breast feeding DD for the first time.
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aimeejoy
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 8:46am |
First time on my back (semi-reclined I suppose) and it was horrible! After lots of reading second time round and going through a few contractions on my back, I can defiitely say it is way more uncomfortable.
Second time I had spent most of the labour walking around and on all fours. Once I got to the hospital I got straight onto the bed, on my knees leaning over the head of the bed, and thats how I gave birth too (not that I was like that for long, about 10 minutes I think!). Being upright I could actually feel her descending and where she was. Oh and birthed the placenta semi-reclined during skin to skin.
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Aimee
Hannah 22/10/05
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Skyflame
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 9:10am |
I was on my knees leaning forward, resting over the bath when I gave birth to DS, and semi reclined leaning back against the wall when I birthed the placenta.
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Snickerdoodle
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 10:46am |
I was initially on my knees, leaning over the back of the bed, but my arms went to sleep.
So I flipped over (well, when I saw "flipped" I mean fell with a monumental THUD) onto my back in the semi-reclined position. WAAAAAYYY easier!
I held my legs up. I felt I had more control that way and it made bearing down a lot easier.
I had a syntocin shot to help with the placenta delivery (during skin to skin feeding), so I didn't have to push. It just slipped out.
But everyone's different. If you start in one position and it's not working for you, don't be shy to tell the midwife and she'll help you move (mine had left the room briefly to get the assistant midwife as things started to happen WAAAY to quickly so poor DH had to help me move).
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AliaDawn
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 11:12am |
I laboured semi-reclined? lol, but gave birth to him on my back (MW made me flip around, I was a bit  about it at the time because it was hard to move by that stage (his head was showing) but I guess the idea was that he would come out slower reducing the risk of a tear?
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Nefertiti
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 11:58am |
Did she say that 'flipping over' would help reduce a tear?
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AliaDawn
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 1:39pm |
nope, but I can't see why else! esp after letting me labour how I liked up till then. It was of course a first bub, and a very quick labour.
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kabe
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 2:27pm |
Once I had my epi, I was flat on my back with no sensation from tummy down. Legs were put in stirrups for ventouse delivery too.
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EmDee
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 2:41pm |
With Ollie I gave birth lying on my left side. I was so tired and just didn't trust my legs to hold me up. Had my foot pushing on Stu's shoulder. Had a retained placenta so this was manually removed under a spinal and was on my back.
With Lilia I also birthed her on my left side but this time it was because it was most comfortable. Birthed the placenta semi-reclined with the assitance of a syntocin shot.
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bub
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Posted: 30 March 2008 at 4:15pm |
i gave birth kneeling on the bed holding on to the rail as this is the only way i was comfortable and helped get brianna into the right postion to come out.
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mother to Brianna, Amelia & Mathew.

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