Community› The Bump Message Boards› Natural Birth
Natural Birth
New Discussion

Squatting

overtonhayesovertonhayes member
in Natural Birth

I'm concerned that delivering in a squat position may be completely out of the question for me because of my knees. There's nothing 'wrong' with them and I'm only 21, but I can't squat even for a few seconds without pain. It's like someone is driving a knife right above my kneecap. If I do have to stay squatted for any reason, the pain does go away after a few minutes, but then I need help getting up and the pain as I do so is even worse.

 Does this completely rule out squatting for me? I also have absolutely zero upper body strength, so I can't see myself supporting myself on a squat bar for long...

Now, this may be a dumb one, but can you change position while the baby is crowning? (Without wanting to sound vulgar,) I'm not talking about as the baby is just peeping out but as (s)he is emerging, with all or part of her head/body sticking out. I can't picture any way to get from a squat position to laying down without the baby, essentially, 'bending'...

Report Reply to Post

Re: Squatting

  • KateLouiseKateLouise member

    I think on the day you'll do what feels comfortable, so if your knees make it uncomfortable then you'll probably want to do something else.

    You could try sitting on a toilet or birthing stool. You could try being on all fours.

    FWIW I delivered on my back both times with no issues.

    I'm not sure if you'd want to change position as baby is head out, or why you might as once baby is head out, they're almost pretty much out. As to whether or not you can I'm unsure. 

    image
    Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
    image


    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • HSartteachHSartteach member
    I was also going to suggest a birthing stool if you want a position similar to squatting.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • kami1977kami1977 member
    I actually squatted using a squatting bar until DS crowned.   I would pull myself up for each contraction and the rest my armpits on it.   After the contraction I would sit back on the end of the bed.    After he crowned it was too painful to sit down so I ended up laying on the bed with it inclined till DS was born.   
    Report Reply
  • annabelle.27annabelle.27 member

    It might make it difficult, or you might not notice. There is going to be so much going on the pain might not register. Days before I had DS1 I fell and gashed my knee open. It was a bad cut (when I was in labour at the hospital they were giving me hell for not getting stitches). When I got in certain positions, the cut broke open and started bleeding. I didn't notice at all.

    Also, squatting may not be the position for you anyway. I always pictured delivering DS2 in a squatting position but when the time came it didn't occur to me. Kneeling and leaning forward was the way to go during that labour. You might find another position suits you better anyway.

    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • dmhrn13dmhrn13 member

    squat every day until you can do it for longer & longer. its just a matter of training your body to get used to it. i squat everyday & i have about 5 minutes of it & i need to switch.

    yes, you can change positions while crowning. i've even had women change positions with the head out & body still in.

    but delivering in a squatting position can increase your risk of having a big tear. i usually have women push squatting initially & then lay back one the head is close.

    TTC since 1/2008
    BFP 7/2009 m/c
    BFP 9/2009 m/c
    Clomid IUI 12/2010, 1/2011, 2/2011 All BFN
    IVF #1 6/2011 BFN, no frosties
    IVF #2 2/2012 BFP
    DD born 10/2012
    FET 9/3/2013 BFN, no more frosties
    IVF # 3 11/3/13 Canceled after retrieval d/t severe OHSS, 3 frosties
    FET #3 2/2014 BFP Twins!
    B/G Twins born 9/2014 at 36w4d

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    image
    Report Reply
  • riverrunner21riverrunner21
    Or how about hands and knees or a knee-chest position? Any option to do a water birth???
    Report Reply
  • overtonhayesovertonhayes member

    imageriverrunner21:
    Any option to do a water birth???

    I'm trying to figure that one out. There are about 6 hospitals in my area that accept my insurance, and my insurance policy doesn't actually let me travel further than x miles/hours to have the baby. Of those 6 hospitals, I know one of them doesn't even have a tub I can use. Trying to find out about the others but I'm sort of being given the runaround.

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"