What position did you find best for giving birth?

[Danica]

Both of my children where inductions and I was on back. I have a midwife this time and and I have no idea what position I will choose. I am just curious what everyone else found best.

[kiwicaleb]

honestly (and you'll hear this a lot), you will choose different positions dependant on how you are feeling.

i was open to the idea of a water birth, i was in the tub, starting to push, but I WANTED OUT!! so i got out. i ended up delivering in a pseudo standing, pseudo squatting position w/controlled pushing, and no episiotomy and no tears.

i think the only *bad* position, is on your back, you have to work against gravity and baby has to fit through the smallest part of your pelvis.

check out dr. sears, the birth book, he talks about birthing positions quite a bit.

hth
amy

[missing]

I tried to push while squatting, but it made me go buggy - don't know why, but I just could NOT stand that at all.

I got onto the bed on my hands and knees, and you couldn't have moved me for anything - it felt great !!

I had back labour, and the all-fours position seemed to help take the pressure off my back, so it worked for me.

[jennmomof1]

I was in just about every position with Rachel since I pushed for 62 hours. I would have to say my favorite with the birth stool my midwife brought.

[Marmalade]

I tried the squatting position and couldn't get baby to move down. So then I went to my back like in the hospital and out popped baby.

[hedra]

Even on your back CAN be good if that's what your body says.

I ended up on my back the first time. The midwife didn't want me there, kept trying to get me to change positions. I would, but then went right back to that one each time. That was the one that worked, so she stopped trying to change it. I was pretty tightly curled, though, so my shoulders were upright but my hips were flat on the bed. Go figure.

Second birth, I ended up halfway between on my side and on my back - with pillows tucked behind me to keep me in that position. It was what my body wanted, so that's what I did. All other positions screamed WRONG! So, yeah, odd position, but that's what happens when you listen. :)

[rebeccav]

With my DD's birth, I was ready to start pushing by the time I got to the hospital, and once my midwife checked me, she said I could start pushing and asked what position I wanted to be in. I remember actually giving it a thought for a second, because I wanted to be in a position that made me feel in control. So I hopped up on the bed on all fours. It worked great until baby's heartrate started dropping and I had to move on to my side.

Really depends on how you feel at the time and what kind of circumstances occur as well.

[Y Thingy]

I didn't find any position that worked well. That's why I pushed forever I guess. Maybe if I stayed in water it would have been better.

[teachinmama]

With my first two deliveries (hospital births) I found I was most comfy in a semi-upright position. The first one I had no choice b/c they put me in stirrups. The second happened so fast I wasn't in stirrups. It also helped me to keep my focus by staying in that position..every time I tried moving around I lost focus and had a hard time controlling the pain.

My last birth..at home..I did most of my hard labor in the water. I was sitting, stretched out floating on my tummy, or squatting. When it was time to push I found I was most comfortable squatting. I would have NEVER imagined that it would be comfy for me! lol

[KimberlyAnn]

Squatting seemed to work best for me. :)

[midwifetx]

The most popular position in my practice seems to be kneeling or hands and knees. Most popular in the water seems to be sitting on knees/heels.