Birthing positions

Usually a position with gravity on your side, so kneeling leaning over the back of the bed or standing. Not sure how you would go having an epi though?

I have heard of that massage, but how ? do i just grab some oil and rub - how long, from when etc - is there a technique.

Yeah an epi basically numbs you from the waist down and would make it really hard to be in a position other than your back or side and those are about the two WORST positions to be in because they basically close off your pelvis.

If you get what is known as a 'walking' epidural (don't know if many places do them, but then I admit this was never one of my pain relief options so they might be more 'common that I think) you should have more freedom of movement because unlike a normal epi they only give you enough pain relief to 'take the edge off' not numb you completely.

Gravity, in ANY birth is your friend. DS2 was born at home and I spent the majority of my labour on either my hands and knees or leaning over the bed/birth pool. I walked too. I found that certain positions at certain times felt better than others I think at one stage while in the pool I was even squatting...but details are a bit fuzzy. LOL

I used the sides of the pool to get 'purchase' to push with. LOL But then mine wasn't a 'bath' but a proper birthing pool. DS2 was born in water, best thing ever and I got none of that ring of fire stuff I had first time.......in fact his head was out before we even realised. hehehehehehehe

Having said that though, depending on the hospital policy, they might not let you anywhere near a birth pool if you are attempting a VBAC anyway. Which I think is ridiculous but.............they think they are helping when in fact alot of the policy around VBAC's (often referred to by health professionals as a 'trial of labour')actually make it more likely that you end up with another c-section. But then I haven't been there so I could be talking rubbish cause I've only heard/read stuff second/third hand. LOL

Certainly talk to your LMC about stuff though cause they should be able to clear up any questions you have.

With the massage grab oil (olive or almond works best but anything will do) and stretch the perineum and around. Be gentle and work it up to more and more stretching.

Talk to your midwife about what you can and can't do with the pool. Some of the hospital regulations are stupid and are based on the medical model of childbirth (ie birth is only normal retrospectively) so if you have a sweet midwife she might find a way around some things.

I had an epi after about 18-20 hours of labour with both kids and both times I could move around quite easily and feel pressure but no pain. I tried giving birth up on my knees and I hated it, it felt like i was gonna explode from the pressure - but it does make the most sense with gravity and all... I gave birth kinda half siting half lying with pushing one foot on the midwife and one on DF... just see what works for you at the time... hopefully you can use the pool cos I found that fantastic for pain relief.

melnel wrote: Yeah its unlikely the hospital will let you in the pool, discuss this with your mw NOW!!! They can go into bat for you and really push it if its something you want. I am considering hiring a birthing pool to labour at home in (my bath is too small and am not sure I want to waste all that water in the shower)... but then I am worried I wont need it... I only got to 5cm so dont know if this next birth is going to be quick or not (not having anything to base it on doesnt help)... They will want to monitor you regularily where ever you are and will likely want to put an lure in etc.. Darn protocol!

Have you looked at buying one of those blow up birthing pools that can be used as a paddling pool later on? I can't remember the name but I think hippy mama used one from memory...

RachandJack wrote: melnel wrote: Yeah its unlikely the hospital will let you in the pool, discuss this with your mw NOW!!! They can go into bat for you and really push it if its something you want. I am considering hiring a birthing pool to labour at home in (my bath is too small and am not sure I want to waste all that water in the shower)... but then I am worried I wont need it... I only got to 5cm so dont know if this next birth is going to be quick or not (not having anything to base it on doesnt help)... They will want to monitor you regularily where ever you are and will likely want to put an lure in etc.. Darn protocol! Have you looked at buying one of those blow up birthing pools that can be used as a paddling pool later on? I can't remember the name but I think hippy mama used one from memory...

Yup that's me! It was awesome, didn't even take up that much space in my lounge - and took very little time to actually inflate and fill, however my DD2 had other ideas and still came too fast for me to even get in

Bizzy wrote: when i was in labour with eden the mw and i were talking about getting on all fours at one stage... she did a demo - just leapt up on the bed and showed me and it looked ok. when she was out of the room i tried it - firstly it took me a lot longer to get up on all fours on the bed and secondly it just felt so dirty! had my husband and sister in stitches too! I never got to try it while in serious labour though.

Haha, thats what I dont want - I know it sounds completely imposible, but I want to do this as gracefully as possible, not feeling like a dirty old cow would be a good start for me.

Im definately not birthing at home - but is the pain enough in the first stage to warrant a pool for pain relief?

Im going to have the epi in as a back up, I wont to go as long as I can without it, I think exhaustion will be the killer, it took 49 hours for me to meet my daughter

Im having this one at North shore hospital. And my midwife is awesome. But then because I have had a c section before and bled so much the OB might just tell me what Im doing rather than giving me the choice.
What have people heard about Nth shore?

Don't hang all your hopes on your second birth being like your first, you never know - you and your baby might just surprise you in a very pleasant way! I was prepared for several more hours of labour than what I ended up with (under two hours from go to woah).