Are stir-ups still used?

rosieo52 · August 2014

I'm having a discussion with my family and I mentioned not using stirrups during delivery, and my husband having to hold my legs. I have heard stories of men having to do this for their wives and my DH and step-dad think I'm nuts. STM what is your experience with this?

maltwin1 · August 2014

Honestly I don't have a super clear memory of what all was going on down there, but I believe stirrups were used. I had an epi so my legs were put where they needed to be, but I'm not sure what the equipment was. I ended up turning (being turned) onto my side and I believe a nurse held one leg then, but not before that. I do know that my DH did not hold my legs. My hand...yes...but not my legs.

I think he'd probably be allowed to if you wanted him to, but it's not something we did. I think this might be more common outside of a hospital setting.

AngieAn · August 2014

I had stir-ups for my first, and i had two nurses holding up my legs the second time. I had my first and second at different hospitals, so I'm not sure if that was the difference. I don't even remember which way i preferred. Oh…also, i had an epidural for my second so maybe that is why they held them for me.

MrsTucker2011 · August 2014

Nurse and DH helped with my legs until baby was born, and then they placed my legs in stirrups for cleanup. I had an epidural, but it was decreased so I could push.

HailsMom · August 2014

They had me use the stirrups for checking on baby or placing internal monitors, taking breaks from pushing, and after birth for cleanup. While I was pushing DH and a nurse helped hold my legs up.

crunchymamaof2 · August 2014

ChickenOnSunday said:

Help me out here and explain what is wrong with stirrups? I had a c-section the first time but plan on hope for a VBAC for this pregnancy.

Lurker. I remember I was begging for stirrups with my first. The epidural made my legs feel like cement. My second I was too busy screaming to get him the f out of me to care what my legs were doing lol

The only negative I can think of is using stirrups means you're flat on your back usually, which is the worst position for pushing. But baby still finds his way out

mandamoochie · August 2014

Nope no stirrups here... dh and a nurse held my legs.. and it was not my favorite thing.. im so freaking self conscious I was worried about taking too long and my legs getting too heavy for them.. I'm weird. Lol

michelle142 · August 2014

If I remember correctly, there were stir-ups there but no one ever mentioned using them. I was contorted into so many crazy positions that I couldn't have used them even if I wanted to.

rosieo52 · August 2014

ChickenOnSunday said:
Help me out here and explain what is wrong with stirrups? I had a c-section the first time but plan on hope for a VBAC for this pregnancy.

Nothing wrong with them. I was trying to let my husband know holding my legs during delivery is a possibility and he will probably be all up in the grossness! He doesn't love blood and guts. Thank you all for your responses!

cannolioh · August 2014

I had two nurses hold my legs while pushing. My husband was up by my head. For the repair I think there were probably stirrups involved, but I don't remember for sure.

srcr2011 · August 2014

My mom had one leg and DH had the other.

Cohensmommy16 · August 2014

There weren't stir - ups with my DS.

delaneykai · August 2014

I remember that there were stirrups at my hospital, but I didn't use them. DH held one leg and a nurse held the other- I definitely preferred that method.

pdxrulz · August 2014

I used stirrups with both my kids but I had an epi with them both. My husband was by my face, holding my hand and had no interest in watching and that's just fine with me. All of my friends that have declined an epi (in or out of hospital) have had someone holding their legs at some point of the pushing phase. Many of them have pushed in all sorts of positions (standing up, on their side, while sitting, in shower or bath) which is not possible with an epi. I am sure a nurse can help with your legs if your hubby is not up for it. When it gets to that point, you won't care where your legs are as you'll be so close to meeting your baby!

jennjilljo · August 2014

They had the stirrups up so u could rest my legs but someone (DH and a nurse) held my legs for the rest of it.

Ceefome · August 2014

DH and a nurse held my legs during all three of my deliveries. I only had an epi with my first, and I asked for the stirrups to be able to rest my legs between pushes without having to pick them up. I pushed for 3.5 hours that time, so I was tired.

nohalo21 · August 2014

No stirrups here. The bed had them though if I remember correctly. Both the nurse and DH held my back and legs. I had no clue either one of them were holding up my back and I did not have an epidural.

lizzybean · August 2014

DH held one leg and a nurse held another while I was pushing. But I was mostly sitting up and did not have any meds. I think they put my legs in the stirrups afterwards, for cleaning and a small stitch.

Allie429 · August 2014

I had an epi with my first and had my legs in them while waiting to push. DH started at my side holding my leg and by the end was down below and would hold more of my lower leg/foot. Nurse helped with the other leg once doctor came in-I was only able to pull my legs back a little. Stirrups definitely helped when not pushing and while I got stitches and cleaned up.

mishka29 · August 2014

I was on my side when pushing and I pushed against my midwife during that time with my top leg. I think i used a stirrup as a handle to help me bear down.

aetg · August 2014

I did not use stirrups and the nurses held me legs, maybe DH did a bit but I don't think so. Anyway, I thought having my legs in the air was all kinds of uncomfortable and kept fighting the nurses on it which annoyed them immensely. I thought it was dumb that I was the one doing the work and they kept trying to hold my legs back so it hurt more.

I'm convinced that is why I had hip problems for so long after DS was born. I didn't have any during pregnancy, but after the birth my hips were really out of whack.

dreamof2 · August 2014

I used the stirrups in between pushing. I thought it was most effective to pull my own legs back for pushing.

maryxc1 · September 2014

I don't really remember, but I assume there were stirrups. I remember holding my own legs because the nurse told me to. When I was getting stitched up, though, my hands were free so my legs must have been in something.

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