squat bar and birthing ball for labor

Lilyzmom

I am really wanting a natural birth barring any medical problems. When I went on the hospital tour I found out that they are advocates of this. In fact, they offer a birthing ball and a squat bar for labor/delivery. I didn't ask then because I thought I'd come home and be able to pull a ton of pictures and/or video on how to use them. I have found a ton of written info but not any good video or pictures on how these work. Do any of you guys know where I can find good info? Anyone have experience on using either?

NJMom050911

I saw a video of the squat bar being used at my child birth prep class and they showed it to me at the tour. It goes on the foot side of the bed while the stirrups are down and you can use it to squat on the bed, when it's time to push they remove it and drop that part of the bed down so you can use the stirrups. I know this isn't a great explanation but I hope it helps a little. 

Lilyzmom

Really? I thought the squat bar was to be used while pushing too, it's supposed to be easier with gravity working for you. Hmmm, I may have to ask my mw at my next appointment if that's how they do it too. Thanks for the info, Kathy.

tokenhoser

Squat bar:

 

A handout for birth ball positions:

https://islandchildbirth.com/PDF_Handouts/Birth_ball_position_handout_new.pdf

tokenhoser

Lilyzmom:

Really? I thought the squat bar was to be used while pushing too, it's supposed to be easier with gravity working for you. Hmmm, I may have to ask my mw at my next appointment if that's how they do it too. Thanks for the info, Kathy.

I wouldn't want to use the stirrups for the end - you're right that the point is being upright. Some hospitals might do it that way (for their own convenience), but it's not a requirement for a safe birth.

NJMom050911

Lilyzmom:

Really? I thought the squat bar was to be used while pushing too, it's supposed to be easier with gravity working for you. Hmmm, I may have to ask my mw at my next appointment if that's how they do it too. Thanks for the info, Kathy.

It is but once the baby starts coming out they have you lie down to get him/her out...At least my hospital does, I'm sure different places have different procedures,

tokenhoser

kathygrzywnowicz:

Lilyzmom:

Really? I thought the squat bar was to be used while pushing too, it's supposed to be easier with gravity working for you. Hmmm, I may have to ask my mw at my next appointment if that's how they do it too. Thanks for the info, Kathy.

It is but once the baby starts coming out they have you lie down to get him/her out...At least my hospital does, I'm sure different places have different procedures,

They don't have to.

They want to because it's easier for them to do things that way. It's not easier for you to birth that way.

It also decreases your chances of tearing if you stay upright. That's enough to make me argumentative with hospital staff if I feel that squatting is working for me.

cesehorn

My OB practice and I are going round and round on this.  If they have the squat bar attached to the foot of the bed exactly how is it easier to catch the baby than if I'm in stirrups? When they can answer this question I'll think about doing the stirrups.  Otherwise, I'm known for being stubborn and pig headed, DH thinks it will get worse in L&D (so do I honestly), so it should be a fun birthing experience. 

 Women have been squatting to give birth for thousands of years, it is the preferred method around the world from what I can tell.  You kick in the whole gravity argument as well and I don't see why the drs have stirrups to begin with. 

kammmmay

cesehorn:

My OB practice and I are going round and round on this.  If they have the squat bar attached to the foot of the bed exactly how is it easier to catch the baby than if I'm in stirrups? When they can answer this question I'll think about doing the stirrups.  Otherwise, I'm known for being stubborn and pig headed, DH thinks it will get worse in L&D (so do I honestly), so it should be a fun birthing experience. 

 Women have been squatting to give birth for thousands of years, it is the preferred method around the world from what I can tell.  You kick in the whole gravity argument as well and I don't see why the drs have stirrups to begin with. 

That is what I hear to. In some places, women birth and catch their own children by squatting against a wall. They just like to complicate things in our "advanced" countries.  

tokenhoser

kammmmay:

cesehorn:

My OB practice and I are going round and round on this.  If they have the squat bar attached to the foot of the bed exactly how is it easier to catch the baby than if I'm in stirrups? When they can answer this question I'll think about doing the stirrups.  Otherwise, I'm known for being stubborn and pig headed, DH thinks it will get worse in L&D (so do I honestly), so it should be a fun birthing experience. 

 Women have been squatting to give birth for thousands of years, it is the preferred method around the world from what I can tell.  You kick in the whole gravity argument as well and I don't see why the drs have stirrups to begin with. 

That is what I hear to. In some places, women birth and catch their own children by squatting against a wall. They just like to complicate things in our "advanced" countries.  

 

You don't think if women have been doing something for thousands of years across many, many cultures in many, many countries that maybe there could be some physiological reason for it?

Enjoy your stirrups. You can have mine, too.

Lilyzmom

Ok girls, thanks for all the input. I just got back from meeting with the mw and this is what she said. That it is used and designed predominatly (sp?)  for the pushing stage of labor. That with a 2nd baby the pushing may go so quickly anyway that it isn't necessary, BUT that it is definately an option to use the squat bar for pushing. Oh and thanks for the illustration, it really helps me to have a visual. I feel much better about the thought of L&D knowing that I'll have such freedom of movement and so many options to be able to find what works the best for me.

alliejoe

I think the hospitals who make you switch to the stirrups are doing it b/c of liability and their convenience and nothing more (unless you have an epi, b/c they say it's much much more difficult to use a squat bar).

My hospital has a birthing stool as an option and the MW/OB said they'll get down on the floor to catch the baby- but I'm sure this is not a common practice, unfortunately.

iris427

kathygrzywnowicz:

Lilyzmom:

Really? I thought the squat bar was to be used while pushing too, it's supposed to be easier with gravity working for you. Hmmm, I may have to ask my mw at my next appointment if that's how they do it too. Thanks for the info, Kathy.

It is but once the baby starts coming out they have you lie down to get him/her out...At least my hospital does, I'm sure different places have different procedures,

Who told you this?  Ridiculous.

Babies can come out in all kinds of ways.  They can come out when the mom is standing or side-lying or squatting or on her hands and knees.   

I pushed with a squat bar during my daughter's birth.  If I hadn't ended up with a c/s, that's how she would have come out.  I have a friend who has pictures of herself on her hands and knees with a head coming out of her! 

iris427

OP, birth balls can be used in different ways.  You can sit on the ball and rock or swivel your hips.  You can get on your knees and rest your upper body on the ball.  You can have your husband sit on the ball and support you while you lean on him or squat.  Et cetera.

sugarangel77

I really hope i get to use all of these things. The thought of laying in a bed on my back seems insane. seriously backward.

If that was the best way to push things out we would Poop laying down (sorry for the image) ..... but its not.

cool thanks ladies....

iris427

sugarangel77:

I really hope i get to use all of these things. The thought of laying in a bed on my back seems insane. seriously backward.

If that was the best way to push things out we would Poop laying down (sorry for the image) ..... but its not.

cool thanks ladies....

Exactly. 

00tedsgirl

You can youtube prenatal yoga and get some videos of birthing ball positions.