birthing positions request - in my birth plan, or no?

herlysgirly · August 2012

In my birth plan, do I specifically have to request to be allowed to deliver in the position that feels most comfortable for me? Or, when the time comes, do I just do it? It's not like they're going to throw me on the bed on my back, right? Smile

With my DD, I didn't really think about how I wanted to be positioned during pushing, and when I got that big "urge to push!" while on the birthing ball, they kind of exclaimed at me to get back up on the bed, so I did - then they grabbed up my legs, and I started pushing. I was semi-reclined, semi-upright. It was all very fast, and I only pushed about four times. I know all births are different, and after reading up on different positions, I wonder if maybe a different position would help reduce a little bit of the tearing? (I had third degree tears). If on my back ends up being the most comfortable/productive, then so be it... I just don't want to be limited to only that position.

Also, if you think its better that I DO include it in my birth preferences (plan), how would you word it? I'm trying to go for short and polite throughout the whole thing.

hailyf · August 2012

I would, considering it can be super short. Mine says " I would like to move about/ change positions at will"

Kind of vague, but I know the staff can infer from that and it doesn't take up too much room on my birth requests. GL!

jennakg · August 2012

In my birth plan I said that "I request the freedom to labor and birth however feels most comfortable." I figure that was good enough.

As of right now, I think I'm going to birth on my side, but who knows if that will be comfortable when I am actually in the process of giving birth.

Cilley · August 2012

If you know what you don't want, and that is shorter than your request for certain positions, put that on your birth plan. For me, it is not to labor anytime on my back. Squating or on my side has seemed to work the last 2 times.

superned · August 2012

I pushed and delivered on my back last time. The nurses suggested it and, at the time, it seemed to work for me. I ended up separating my pelvis and had a very painful recovery. I don't know if it was directly related to being on my back with DH and a nurse holding my legs, but I have a strong suspicion that it was.

I'm not really doing a formal birth plan, but my OB will know and I will be telling the nurses (or making SURE that DH knows to tell them if, for some reason, I can't) that I will need support to push and deliver in a alternate position. I think I'd like to try squatting, but I'm not going to make any decisions until the time comes...just as long as it's NOT on my back.

nosoup4u · August 2012

I guess I'd at it, but I'd also just ignore them if they tried to get you to get into a position you don't like.

Blackrose1918 · August 2012

I put it in mine and talked with my MW and doula about it. The way I worded it is "I would like to be encouraged to try multiple labor and birthing positions."

punkrockabye · August 2012

I put that I would like to labor and deliver in any position that feels right at the time. Chances are I will not want to be on my back, but if that's the urge I get, I won't keep myself from it. I'm sure I'll ultimately be told to get on the bed and lay a certain way but unless that's what my body tells me to do, I'm going to get in the position that naturally comes to me. They can't pick you up and tie you to the bed on your back.

pixieprincss · August 2012

I see a birth plan as a discussion tool, so I do think there is value in putting it in so that you and your provider can discuss ahead of time if that is something they do. The supposedly natural-friendly on-call dr who delivered DS1 couldn't fathom delivering a baby any way but me on my back, legs up, with a bright light on so she could see better.

edenrivers · August 2012

I'd put that I'd like to birth in different positions, definitely. Especially if they're going to want you to be hooked up to fetal monitor, and if you like the birthing ball etc.

choppinbroccoli22 · August 2012

pixieprincss:
I see a birth plan as a discussion tool, so I do think there is value in putting it in so that you and your provider can discuss ahead of time if that is something they do. The supposedly natural-friendly on-call dr who delivered DS1 couldn't fathom delivering a baby any way but me on my back, legs up, with a bright light on so she could see better.

Surprise THE worst position for pelvic opening! I'm really sorry that your doc for #1 did that to you. I delivered on my back too, even though I had put in my labor plan to let me move around, etc. That's just where I needed to be at the time. I couldn't support myself or tolerate any other position by the end of 44 hours.

This time I'm open to a water birth, as it will be an option, but they say that if you put that in your birth plan as if that's the one place you are willing to deliver, that you will most certainly deliver anywhere but the water. It's good to put it in as a discussion tool, as PP said, but be open when the time comes to what your body needs you to do. Don't try to pick out the position ahead of time, because you're not in the moment. Do familiarize yourself with all kinds of positions, though.

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