Birthing stool, water birth or back on bed?

adriel85 · April 2012

Just curious about all three. I am terrified of having my legs up in the air with the spelunking light looking in. Which do you prefer?

KateLouise · April 2012

dd1 i started pushing in the tub then mw wanted better access so i got onto the bed, i was semi sitting.

dd2 i started pushing in the shower and got on my hands and knees/leaning over bath edge (our shower is over a bath). Ambulance man on the phone told DH to get me out of shower and onto my back on the floor. (I think he did that so that a) it would slow the baby down coming out and b) so that DH would have an easier time catching the baby.

So I've only actually delivered semi sitting and flat on my back, but have pushed on my knees.

On my knees is what felt most natural at the time, but all positions worked fine for me. I had no stitches or problems with DD2 and I was flat on my back which is meant to be the worst position.

I think go with whatever feels best on the day.

Hmm just realised I didn't really answer your question. I hated the birthing stool as it put too much pressure on my butt. Loved the warm water for pain relief. I only used the bed for leaning over and lying on at the very end.

A lot of it is personal preference so again just go with what feels best.

CTri17 · April 2012

dd1 was a water labor turned squat on land to give birth

dd2 I used the birth stool because the water was slowing things down both were good for different reasons

annabelle.27 · April 2012

I don't think you can really know until you're there. I thought I would squat or sit on a birthing stool but I ended up on my knees, tilting one hip up so that one knee was lifting straight up off the floor. It was a position I didn't imagine beforehand, but it was what I felt compelled to do at the time. Your body will tell you what it wants when you're pushing- just make sure you listen

FyreFlyeRush · April 2012

annabelle.27:
I don't think you can really know until you're there. I thought I would squat or sit on a birthing stool but I ended up on my knees, tilting one hip up so that one knee was lifting straight up off the floor. It was a position I didn't imagine beforehand, but it was what I felt compelled to do at the time. Your body will tell you what it wants when you're pushing- just make sure you listen

This. I ended up pushing flat on my back, not reclined, with my knees to my chest. Trust me when I say the audience, lights and goings on will be the last f your concerns. Everything and everyone else just kind of fade away.

jessandandy09 · April 2012

I ended up in a kind of ball position with DD#1 my knees were hugged by my chest and the only point my body was making contact with the bed was the small of my back. with DD#2 I was on my back with feet in the stirrups to deliver. I think your body will go with whatever feels best.

choppinbroccoli22 · April 2012

My first delivery did not go exactly as I wanted... I was too exhausted to support myself in any other position than flat on my back in bed.

I wanted to give birth in ANY OTHER POSITION than flat on my back. That position was invented by a doctor to get a better view of things, thinking that HE was the one in charge, not the woman's body. The pelvic opening is 30% narrower when you are in this position. Just food for thought.

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Birthing stool, water birth or back on bed?

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