What position do you prefer to birth in?

Eima - posted on 11/25/2012

Standing up for babies 2-7. First was in hospital. I usually lean forward on something like the bathroom sink.

Holly - posted on 08/10/2010

I was on my knees with elbows on the sofa. I tried sitting with knees up at one point and it killed my hips and made me poo! So leaning while on my knees was best for me!

Alison - posted on 07/16/2010

on all 4 but leaning over something so my top half was a little higher up. This was in hospital. I have never been told how to deliver in hospital. I would find that very annoying.

This time around I will probably end up in the same position, just at home :)

Karen - posted on 03/14/2010

I birthed on my knees leaning against a chair and holding my partner's hand (he said he was worried I was going to break either his hand or the chair). It definitely felt right for me and I really didn't feel comfortable being anywhere near lying on my back, but I also think it's really important to do what feels right at the time. I had no idea how I'd want to birth until I got there but I was pretty clear about what felt good when the time came.

Allison - posted on 03/14/2010

I have had one so far, and at first I was squatting, leaning forward and holding on to the bathroom counter. To push him out, though, my mom was holding me in a supported squat leaning back a little - so she was behind me sitting on the bed, and I was facing outward with her holding under my armpits. I really didn't want my mom there for the birth, but then my son was 3 weeks "late" and I went into labor as soon as she flew in to town! Thank goodness, because she was SO wonderful during the birth, and we needed ALL her help afterward, since I had a hemmorhage afterward and had to be in the hospital for 3 days after the birth! I think my body was maybe waiting for her to get there because inside I knew I'd need her help :)

Emily - posted on 03/02/2010

Hands and Knees for me! But it is different for everybody (I'm an apprentice midwife, so I've seen a few...). Do what seems most comfortable to you, and if you truly can't find a "good" position, ask your midwife for suggestions. She'll have a bunch. If you can push a baby out lying on your back, and that's what you want to do, that's totally fine! Congrats and good luck! :-)

Elizabeth - posted on 02/19/2010

I was 100% against pushing while laying on my back but after trying every positions I could in and out of the tub I found that laying on my back/holding my knees felt wonderful and every other position felt terrible. Now I don't know if it'll work for any future labors but for the birth of my son it's what worked for me.

Karen - posted on 01/30/2010

I had all of my children at home in the water. I was on my knees resting on the edge of the pool. (a combo of on all fours and squatting is the best way to describe it) That works great for me but I went in to my births with the mind frame of doing what my body wants to do...what seemed natural

Fonda - posted on 01/27/2010

Congrats on your new baby! How exciting for you!



My first was born in a hospital, so I was on my back. My second was born at home. We had a tiny home so there wasn't really room for a tub. I have a somewhat longer pushing phase, 3 hours for the first and nearly 2 for the second. I found that kneeling and using a chair for support seemed to be the most comfortable position for pushing for me. I tried a few different positions and a birth stool, but kneeling felt the best.



Do whatever feels best/natural to you. I've read that sometimes a baby's position will cause a mom to want to move around, helping in the baby's descent.