Birthing positions
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31427
Printed Date: 29 August 2025 at 5:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Birthing positions
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Subject: Birthing positions
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:25pm
|
OK so I have made the decision to give VBAC a go.
Can you girls tell me what the best position is ? I really want to avoid tearing as much as possible and Im terrified of pain. Im having an EPI, not a spinal block, so I will have some feeling, and quite likely be able to walk for most of it, unless of course the pain is too bad, or I get too tired - will take that bit as it comes I guess ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
|
Replies:
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:36pm
|
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? ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:41pm
|
Well I gave birth on our fours and that worked well for me as gravity is your side. Change positions until you find one that suits you.
Are you going to give perineal massage a try? I've heard good things about it for avoiding tears. Good luck 
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:43pm
|
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. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:45pm
|
Hmm I thought with an epi you cant move, when I had mine I was stuck on my back and strapped to moniters..
For me, I found being on my knee's the best(before i got my epi) and I burried my head/face into the bed, they raised the top right up for me so I was leaning on it. At home, hands and knee's and rocking worked well too for the pain! ------------- |
Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:46pm
|
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 ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 10:57pm
|
[QUOTE=mumtooboys]
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. Thats what I mean, I think, thats what my midwife had, but apparently you can pump it up, in the need of more invasive intervention, with one she ended up with a vontouse. But she could still walk to the loo I think its to do with the placement of the catheter. I will have to grill her about that bit I think I like the idea of the pool, for the first bit, but I feel like I need solid ground to push - but then I havent ever laboured in a pool. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:06pm
|
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. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 05 February 2010 at 11:11pm
|
that is stupid. Can you not even go in there when your clearly not near pushing but it hurts?
Apparently because I have laboured before and to 7cm there is a good chance I will be able to birth, but In the end I dont mind, I just want a live baby and a live me ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:07pm
|
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. |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:21pm
|
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! -------------   
|
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:35pm
|
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. ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:36pm
|
My midwife told me that the left side is good for gravity , I spent my entire active labour lying on the left side and transferred onto my back when I felt the urge to push , he was born in 14 mins of pushing ------------- 
|
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:50pm
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... |
melnel wrote:Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 3:55pm
| I had bailey standing at the end of the bed my basically the top half of me resting in a beanbag, it was really comfy and yeah good for gravity. Not sure if possible with an epi though? |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 4:33pm
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  ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 4:46pm
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.
with my second child i spent most of the time from my waters being broken to giving birth in the birthing pool at auck hospital and it was great! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 4:58pm
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? ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 4:59pm
|
If you've had an epi, can you go in the pool? From memory, I didn't think you could.
Also find out what they mean by a walking epi. At Waitak, they say all their epis are walking epis but .... I had one (and lurched my way to the loo once, hanging onto DH and the MW with the med student close behind!) but could barely feel or move a thing and was well and truly tethered to the bed the rest of the time. I couldn't feel any tightening or contractions which made pushing a biarch, all I could feel was henious back pain that made me scream and cry. That said, I wouldn't have been without it (my MW said in my case, it was necessary otherwise she was certain I would have been a CS) and I would have no issues having another one though I will try without. But they're certainly not without their faults and limitations! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 5:06pm
|
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). ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 5:51pm
|
the only thing that would surprise me in a pleasant way is no pain, no tearing and not messing up my hair - so since thats not going to happen Im looking at all my options - everyone of them includes drugs.
I loved the epi last time, but I hope I am one of those who isnt completely paralysed by it, it seems it affects everyone differently. Everything in my last pregnancy was completely medically controlled, which Im all good with - I believe in modern medicine entirely, but I would like to experience childbirth as naturally as my own constitution will allow. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 5:55pm
|
just dont make the same mistake as me and assume that the second one will go the same as the first... they may have both been inductions but after the gel nothing was the same at all! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 6:02pm
|
Im not expecting that, even my pregnancies have been worlds apart so far. But i guess there is no escaping the pain which is what Im trying to prepare myself for.
After 20 weeks with my daughter, I had no say in anything really so I just feel its all new, and the info you girls are giving me is great, Im going to have to write a big list of questions from this, to take to my midwife PS - what kind of things do you wish you hadnt done? or had done? ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: Phat_Cat
Date Posted: 06 February 2010 at 9:46pm
|
if you go into the pool to early it can slow up your labour & hinder it from progressing. I had two completely different labours with my boys first induced, epi & syntocian but NVD (i just had a 1/2 dose top up when i was 9cms) and at NSH (14 hrs) my second 1hr 40 mins labour no meds (regardless of me begging for an epi when I was in transition in the pool lol too late) so you never know but good on you for wanting to do a VBAC oh & my best friend had 3 VBAC's all were well
Anything that has gravity to help will help get bubs down the birth canal so try different positions to get one that works ------------- Tristen - 24/06/07 Rylan - 11/12/08 Angel Babies -14/08/05 & 21/01/2010 Curtis - 26/02/12 |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 10:40am
i wish i hadnt of let them bully me to induce me with this last one... i knew it would go badly... but thats not what you wanted... i think what you are doing is good - being informed is your best asset when it comes to labour. a positive frame of mind is good too - to me the mind is half the battle. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 11:11am
Thats exactly what I want to know Bizzy - by inducing do you meanwith a drip? My midwife with my first told me it was really painful and to have an epi first - which I did. But I still didnt get past 7cm. How did it go badly for you? ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 11:39am
|
well first off i believe that you wont know how painful it is and what you can handle till you are in the thick of it - so to speak. I have never had an epi during labour - had to have one with eden for the c section tho and i was scared sh*tless about it!
My labours all started with the gel and with eden i do believe that not only were my waters broken too early but that they pumped up the synto drip too much and too early and didnt let my body do what it wanted. i suppose part of it was my fault. i wanted her to break my waters because i believed they were ready to be broken... but in hindsight it was too early and i think she knew that as well. and of course once they put the synto in you are pretty much stuck to your bed, which definitley will not help labour progress at all. i tried to walk about but having to drag the stupid IV pole - which i nicknamed george - was a pain and just made it too difficult. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 3:45pm
|
Bizzy, Did the gel hurt?
Did you have VBAC? if so could you feel the c scar ? like did it make it painful ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 3:52pm
|
The gel doesn't hurt at all. BUT, they always did a cervical exam before each gel application to check how I'd progressed and that definitely hurt. Though nothing like labour!
------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 4:20pm
the gel didnt hurt but it is uncomfortable when they do the exam before and when they insert it. No VBAC - the c section was my last delivery. all of my laours have been started for me... all with the gel first but then they progressed differently. i've had a ventouse, unassisted then a c section. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 4:42pm
You had a ventouse with no epi?  that sounds like pain!!
God I wish I could have 5 minute sampler to no what I was in for - and now I have weeks to contemplate it!! ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 4:54pm
I'm probably no help as I birthed on my back. I tried all the different positions but it was just too uncomfortable for me. I ended up in the bath on my back which I just found absolute bliss, being in the water just took all the weight and pressure off my body and DP was behind me and I had my arms around his ribcage while pushing (I don't recommend this as I managed to break DP's ribs  )But just wanted to say good luck with your VBAC. I hope it all happens for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 4:57pm
|
i know someone who recently had a VBAC and she said she found some of the hypnobirthing methods very helpful. i think there is a thread on here about it too. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 7:23pm
|
Bizzy your birth with Eden sounds soooo familiar!!!!
RaspberryJam NSH have one of the highest rates of C-sections in the western world!!!!!! They have strict protocols around vbacs so you mw will need to be willing to go into bat for you if its something you really want. Not saying it will, but epi's can increase the chance of another section. I am going to be doing hypnobirthing and Bizzy just reminded me that i have to get in touch with that same lovely woman and ask her some questions!!! -------------
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 7:49pm
|
Bugger! Can you choose your hospital? I know you are restricted by your MW's license, but I thought I had to go to NSH
Im meeting with the OB on when Im 30 weeks so I guess I will soon find out what my limitations are ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 8:33pm
|
You can VBAC their hun, but yes you can choose your hospital based on where you mw if contracted.
I would be having the conversation with your mw about what you want (ie you dont want to be told that after 12 hours at the hospital you MUST have another c-section as you have been there to long regardless of whether its medically needed, if all is well with you and baby you want to be able to get in the pool although I feel I am fighting an uphill battle with this one at NSH but you get my drift). Some of the OB's are pushy re VBAC and some are pushy re section so it might pay to have your mw at the appt with you so they can back you up. (Do you know who the OB is?). Gosh I am making NSH sound terrible, from what I have been told by others who have attempted VBAC there you need to be prepared that you may have to get a bit pushy about it, though you may also be pleasantly surprised. Sorry not wanting to freak you out, rather let you prepare LOL -------------
|
Posted By: RoSee
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 8:35pm
|
Mmm... I've only heard one story from North Shore and it wasn't good.. BUT, I suppose every hospital has it's ups and downs? It could have just been the couple I was talking to they may have been unrealistic. I think having a fantastic midwife who you trust completely is the most important thing
I found the most effective pain relief for me was a sort of meditation. Before I went into labour I often listened to a Deepak Chopra cd and really practiced focusing on my breathing and not letting my mind think about anything else... my labour was almost totally silent, no one was allowed to talk at all!  I spent most of the time lying on my back on the bed, and that is the position I birthed in. I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time in the pool (started filling it up when we got to hospital and by the time it was full, I got in and 2 mins later had to start pushing) but the little time I spent in it was really nice!------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 September '11
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:36pm
|
I dont know who the OB is yet Melnel, but I think takign my midwife with me is a fab idea. Thank you.
I have heard nothing good out of NSH - either no real opinion or they were dreadful. They gave my SILs son 60 mls of formula when she was struggling to breastfeed, he lost all interest. Im quite a stroppy b**ch , and have no problem telling people what I want, but fitting in with their expectations is preferable too. Im really not into meditation, but I am pretty gopod at zoning out and focusing on what needs to be done. I have been in some very high pressure situations so I think mentally I will be ok, and all this info is definately helping - THANKS!! My midwife is awesome but I dont expect her to push the limits for me, she has to maintain a relationship with them. I guess Ideally, my waters will break first his time and I can hang out at home til my contractions are close and regular, and by the time I get there it will all happen happen so quickly i wont have time to think about it!! God , it feels like I have never even had a baby before!! Its all so new!! ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: rachndean
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 11:29am
|
Rasberryjam, with my number 2 (my best labour and birth by far!) I spent the last hour of my labour in the shower. i had been in the bath which made my labour go backwards (went from 8cm to 5cm) and mw told me i needed to get gravity on my side. she put a chair in the shower, and i lent over the back of it with my back into the water. when it came to pushing, i was semi crouching, with all my weight on the seat of the chair through my arms. 10 mins of pushing and my 9 pounder was born, with no tearing. my mw said she thought if i hadnt got up and used that position i would have ended up with a c-sect.
could be worth a go??? Good luck ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
DD Savannah 18.01.04 DS Austin 04.09.08 |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 12:39pm
|
ooh rach thanks! thats sounds far more classy than all fours or face in a pillow - surely they cant disallow that !
I want a local anaesthetic - can you do that?? like just in the bits that stretch beyond all belief ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 4:19pm
|
I gave birth leaning over the side of the birthing pool - can't remember if I was crouching or kneeling, but sounds like a pretty similar position to Rach... I'd been on my back before that and found being upright sooo much easier!
Having said that - I did tear (just 1cm) and wanted to say don't be afraid of it!! I didn't even know I had torn I was so focused on what I was doing! It really didn't hurt like I thought it would and healed up really nicely - although obviously not as bad a tear as I've heard some people have. My MW said it helps if the head comes through slower rather than fast, as it stretches you out as it goes iykwim... (sorry for the mental pictures!!) ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 5:03pm
|
Haha, mental is ok compared to what I have seen on you tube!!
Since I will be at North shore I dont think I can go in the pool with a VBAC - from what other have said - or with an epi - so i guess I will have to see what for after I have seen the OB - I think semi upright is more to my liking but who knows at the time I might feel like howling to the moon works - although I would prefer to take the feral out of it. ------------- http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
http://lilypie.com]
|
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 7:21pm
|
You cant get in the pool with an epi and from memory they dont do "walking" epis.... You may be able to use the pool but your mw will need to PUSH! -------------
|