Positions for birth!

Positions for birth! Here are some of the most popular positions but which one is best? Well that's all down to a few things. Firstly maternal preference, some women prefer to be standing, some sitting and some laying. It all depends on what position you feel most comfortable in to birth your baby.

Keeping as upright as possible though generally makes the process easier as gravity helps. The baby has to travel down and up so laying flat isn't best for everyone, as you are effectively pushing uphill. Saying that I have given birth laying on my back because at the time it worked for me and baby was out within 5 minutes.

If the second stage (the actual birth stage) is going slowly, try to change into a different position. Sometimes that slight movement can be enough to widen your pelvis and allow baby to travel through easier.

What if you have an epidural? Historically women with epidurals would give birth flat on their backs sometimes with legs up in stirrups which can lengthen the process and potentially mean a vaccum or forceps birth is offered. Nowadays though, many epidurals allow for sensation in your legs so whilst standing on the floor to birth with an epidural might not be the best idea, you may be able to kneel on the bed if you have enough sensation and support.

Being on a continuos fetal monitor is no reason to have to lay flat on your bed throughout the whole labour and birth. You should be able to move if you want to, the midwives may just have to adjust the monitor accordingly. To see what I mean, scroll down my feed to find images of my birth story where I had a continuous monitor in place but spent the entire time standing or kneeling on a mat!

What position did you give birth in? . . . . #birth #naturalbirth #vbac #midwifery #gentlebirth #childbirth #l&d