Birthing positions. For those who had a vaginal delivery, what position were you in when you pushed bubba out?

All fours, went well.

On my back on the bed!! Was scared of them dropping the baby haha

On my back in the tube.

Back for my first, sitting on the bed for my second, & all fours for my third.

On my back with all 3... I didn't have epidurals or anything It's just how I felt comfortable.

With my first ob and husband held my legs up as if I was squatting but laying on my back ? so much dignity in child birth ?

Both times on my back it wasnt painful for me and was over so quickly. Pushing was such a relief i think its the easiest part of labour, but everyones different. First baby i only had to push for 3/4 mins and 2nd was out completely in 2 pushes

I had a natural hypnobirth and didn't need any pain meds during or after labour. I planned to be on all fours but my back felt most comfortable at the time.

I delivered on my back. I really wanted to stand to deliver but I had to be assisted with a vacuum for delivery so had to be on my back.

Kneeling on the floor, resting my top half on the bed.

I just went with what I was most comfortable with, I didn't think about it, I just did it.

I was squatting on a birthing stool, hoping to do the same again.

I have to agree with people saying you lose all control and instincts just take over..

With my first I was very relaxed on the bed laying in my back but slightly sitting up and that was easy for me..

With my second I was in the shower on all fours and I pushed him out like that and that was the only way I felt comfortable.. On all fours

The only way I was sort of comfortable was on my back but sitting slightly up. I tired all positions and I was in absolute pain.

Amazing how many people who had an epi were on their back. There are limited positions once your numbed up!

I agree with gamermummy when it's time to push your body will tell you what to do you loose all control and primal instincts take over. Also each labour is different, squatting with ds was a lot easier but I couldn't do it with dd, my body just took over and I ended up in the easiest position to push her out.

I was standing up, leaning over the bed. Gravity is best! ?? my best friend (she's a midwife) literally caught my daughter haha

My first and second I was in a semi squatting position being supported by DH from behind. My third I had a water birth and was on my back sitting/floating in the water.

They were all good positions, but I preferred my water birth as I didn't tear ?

I was squatting on one side of the bed while my mum was on the other holding my hands, as every time I pushed she was gripping my arms (gravity pulls!!) Then just as my son was about to be born I was lying on my back on the bed and pushed him out.

First one on my back second on my knees on bed holding onto bedhead. I liked on my back better because midwife held a mirror and I felt more in control. Second birth I was staring at a wall and his shoulder got stuck and I freaked out cuz i couldn't see what was going on. I think this time I'll do it on my back again.

I was on all 4s in labour (on a beanbag on the bed) to try and turn bubs and ended up giving birth that way. Hurt even worse when I was on my back so I just stayed in that position.

Sitting up, legs being held by nurse and SO.

Same as woozel.

Kind of all fours on the hospital bed, with the bed head all the way up leaning on it.

First two on my back - it was harder but I had no choice as my first I needed to be cut and second I needed monitoring which only picked up DD when I was on my back.

Third baby I knelt on the bed, leaning on/over the head of the bed - i feel that was my best birth, gravity helped and pushing was easier, no tearing or even grazes.

I've given birth on all fours which wasn't painful at all and on my back which was extremely painful!

But your body will tell you what position to get into!

First one I was on my back then the second time round the hospital had this really cool chair you squatted down in?.. It was so much easier.

On my back but I wish I was squatting! I've heard it's much easier on the body ?

#1 on back (full epi)

#2 squatting

#3 on back sedated (rip)

#4 on side with OH then MW holding my leg, on back was too painful and not productive.

I want a water birth for my next one!

I was half lying half sitting on the bed and had no problem.

This time I'm hoping for a water birth also

On my my back but with the head up so I was sort of sitting. Both times. I know it is the worst position as it closes of your birth canal, but personally it was the only way I could push correctly, tried standing, kneeling on the bed while hanging on the head part that was sat up, in those positions I just couldn't get that "push like your doing a poo" thing happening wasn't till I was upright laying on the bed I really felt the pushes working. Both my bubs where out in a few pushes once I sat/lay on the bed. Both times I have pushed for less then 15 mins.

Was pusing laying down for 1.5 hours then they got me Kneeling on the hospital bed resting my arms and head over the back of it( so basically just kneeling and using the bedhead as support) then when her head was out they got me to turn and lay on my back to push the rest of her body out. And that was with an epidural. I had no feeling in my legs so it was a mission to turn around without falling off the bed ?

On my back with legs in stirrups

Midwife holding one leg in place dh holding the other. I was completely numb from epidural from my chest down to my toes. ?

On my side with my leg held by the midwife and my hands were tightly around my OHs. No drugs at all.

I laboured on my back though by the end because the pain was bad in my bad and I was pushing against a heat pack if that makes any sense.

Thanks ladies, these are great!

I'm hoping for a water birth, so if that goes ahead, great!

But I better get some ideas in case it doesn't lol.

First on my back with an epi second all fours no pain relief what so ever.

And the second was an awesome experience planning on trying water birth, no relief at the hospital in August .

I was on my back but wish I had have hoped back on all fours I may try to do it on all fours this time though

On my back with an epi for my first and standing up leaning over the bed for my second - standing up without the epi was a million times better

First three sort of sitting lying in the bed. Fourth was standing over the toilet :-0 omg lol ( he was caught safely )

I did all the positions truth me

So don't stress about it and don't think cause at that moment your midwife will try everything to get baby out :)

Iwas seating on my 4

Then on my knee

Then on my back

Then standing

And back to all this again

Even with an epi you don't have to give birth on your back- that's the worst possible position to birth in generally as far as trauma to the body goes ?

I have always had the bed wound right up to sitting position, with the foot part lowered. So kind of like sitting position really but still supported. Did that with epidurals and also no epidural.

You ARE limited with an epi but lying down is not the only option.

First birth, I couldn't feel my legs from the Epi so I was in an awkward position, kinda sitting up/laying down on the hospital bed! Second time, no Epi and i sat up straight and it was amazing, it was so much easier to push :)

Iv been on my back, on all fours and twice on my back in the bath tub ?

On my back, legs in stirrups, but the bed was in an upright position. So I was sitting up really

My midwife and I had a talk today about how lying on your back is the worst position (obviously given that you're able to move around! lol) so I have no idea what kind of position I'd like to be in ? I guess it's something I'll figure out during labour, but I like to hear other people's responses :)

On my back. Hoping the not get an epi this time, although will not be ruling it out lol, & would rather lean on the side of the bed or something I think.