Birth Standing??

[Trix]

Is it possible to give birth standing?? Or standing next to the bed and leaning over it??

I don't know why, but every time I imagine myself giving birth, it is standing.

My ideal is an active labour, perhaps with some time in the bath, and either give birth in the water or standing over a bed.

As this is my first, i'm not sure if its possible or if anyone has had enough energy to be standing during pushing! :confused:

[brooke]

I am sure you can pretty much birth how you want!
I know at my hospitial they have a thing called a "birthing bar" it where you can lean on it!
At least if you are standing your going with gravity not against it!

[Oscar's mum]

I don't know as from experience but I couldn't imagine there being much difference between squatting and standing.

[BJelly]

Yes, you can give birth standing up - I gave birth standing in the shower at the hospital. The nurse put some towels on the floor beneath me when the baby was close, and we turned off the water. Straight after the birth I then sat on a birthing chair and held my baby while she was still connected to me by the umbilical cord.

[Trix]

Thanks Brooke - That is why I liked the idea of it, the whole gravity thing.

Oscar's Mum - I was just wondering cos I just can't imagine after hours and hours and hours of labour, that you'd have enough energy to stand!

[Trix]

Wow BJelly - How long was your labour beforehand? Was it exhausting trying to stand and push??

Easy to tell its my first isn't it?!

[BJelly]

That's the only thing I'd do differently ... next time I'll be sure to sit down on a birthing chair between contractions - it does get exhausting standing for hours, combined with contractions.

My labour started at 7.30pm and I gave birth 1.30 am - so it was only 6 hours, and it sure went fast!

[Jaileth]

I know that in the hospital I'm going to standing while leaning on the bed one of their 'recommended' positiongs - why not ask your midwife or the hospital which you plan to give birth in?

There's also a Preaparing for Birth booklet - one for mothers and one for fathers and in the mums one, they show you diagrams of different positions for labour - quite a few of them are standing or semi-standing.

[alicesmum]

i really wanted to do this and I tried standing at the start of the pushing stage, but my legs were too tired and sore by then and i didn't have the energy (and i thought i was pretty fit :( )

this time i am going to push slumped forward over a beanbag, if it's comfortable, otherwise, maybe like last time, in a supported squatting position.

:p

[veve]

oh man - I WAS hoping to do the same thing!!!!!

but my favourite positions ended up being - one the physio ball (rocking) - and two in fetal position on my side on the bed...

the pain took the strength out of my legs... and I pretty much just fell during the contractions..

each person is different though... my friend had her baby and said she couldn't have imagined anything worse than being on the bed!!!

Good Luck!!!

xxx

[wattle]

I'd like to try that next time too..... I guess you don't know until the moment comes what you'll be capable of.

I was hooked up to the drip with ds, so everything was awkward. The shower was awkward, moving around was awkward etc. Hopefully that won't happen next time.

HEY VEVE - good to see you popping your head in. hows' Jack? Hope all is going well. :)

[Oscar's mum]

I was hooked up to the drip with ds, so everything was awkward. The shower was awkward, moving around was awkward etc. Hopefully that won't happen next time.

:)


I made them get me a portable gas bottle so I could have a shower! :p

[AM]

That is exactly how I gave birth, leaning over the bed, standing, with my knees slightly bent.
I think although gravity does help, it can be a position which can 'encourage' tearing, if you do not manage to handle the crowning slowly enough.
I got a 3rd degree tear, but it healed really well, and did not bother me.
You seem to just end up in a position which feels right AT THE TIME, and I tried ALL of them, some people are really surprised when they look back, because how they gave birth, was not the way they imagined it! :D
But yes, moving around and really exploring the right position for you at the time is just so important, and is one reason I would not allow myself to be hooked up to a fetal monitor, 'cos it would have cramped my style! ;)

[bubhub]

I had my third baby standing up - best position of my three births. I stood up during labour, leaning over the bed with my forehead resting on my arms on the bed (if that makes sense!) and hubby rubbing my lower back during contractions.

I had a really quick labour, only about an hour of the heavy stuff so my legs were fine - but standing was the most comfortable position and sitting or lying down was really uncomfortable. So definitely give it a go!

For my second baby, I stood up during the last hour of labour and gave birth on all fours - that was ok too.

First baby (rookie), I lay on the bed and had an epidural!

Hilary

[jaydensmum]

I just have a quick question. How do you give birth on all fours? I keep trying to imagine what its like but i cant see how you could? How do you push down in that position? Sorry if its TMI but im just curious thats all.

jaydensmum

[Sarie]

Graviety is your friend!
I wanted a birth stool for both my labours, but neither of them worked out that way and I ended up being in the worst position (on my back).

[lexi'smum]

I had the exact same labour that you were saying, the early stages I was in and out of the shower then moved on to the bath I was in there right till the end then I had bubs standing/kneelings against bed, and I would definatly do it like that again. Do talk to your birthing team about it, I would definantly consider it if I were you. :)
Good luck!

[jaydensmum]

I gave birth on my back and it wasnt too bad. I didnt tear or anything. The midwive tried to get me to do different birthing positions but nothing was comfortable for me, except the back. Jayden was posterior so my back was killing me, to stand or any other position.

jaydensmum

[bubhub]

The all fours position was suggested by the midwife - it wasn't really planned and everything was happening very fast - but it seemed to work very easily and the midwife was able to assist in telling me when to push so as to avoid tearing (only needed about 3 pushes). No stitches with this birth at all, and just one with the standing up birth.

[Pixie]

I like the natural thought of gravity I have no idea what I will end up doing, I do know the birth centre I am going to has the bath, shower, bars, bed, ball etc I am going to try them all out, but I don't want to be flat on my back!

[DoulaFelicity]

You certainly can birth standing up, and it's beneficial because of gravity, and (depending on what actual standing position you're in) it's good for the pelvis (helps it open to full capacity) and perineum (plenty of bloodflow to the perineum, helps it get all soft and stretchy for crowning, reduces the chance of tearing). :)

I did try to remain standing when I reached the pushing stage, but I found myself involuntarily clamping my knees closed with every huge push my body did! :rolleyes: A wee bit counterproductive for getting my babe out...so up onto the bed I clambered, and it was a modified version of kneeling/all fours for me - knees on bed, tummy supported by raised front of bed, head resting on top of that and me gripping and pulling the headboard when pushing contractions rolled in. It was magnificent - a wonderful position! Nobody needed to tell me when or how to push, my body just did it, and the counterpressure of pulling on the headboard with my hands meant I pushed with all the "right" muscles ("tug of war" - pulling on something with your hands during pushing - ensures you push with the "right" muscles for birthing; can be helpful if you're having trouble - I just pulled instinctively on the headboard!).

Pushing is wonderful fun, I can't wait to do it again. Such hard work, though! :D

[brooke]

Felicity- I kinda like the idea of that one.
I think I may give that a try when i go into labour... Thats if i remember!
Maybe I will tell DH about that one when He gets home so he can suggest it during labour!

Reading about all this is getting me excited about giving birth!

[amandajane]

I think it all depends on the state you live in and the hospital and the midwife.

My first was born in Melbourne. It was fantastic. I had a long 1st stage (24 hours), and spent 2 hours in the bath and had bub standing over the bed. No drugs, no gas and was not tired.
Although I did notice that my baby had a fear of falling for the first few months (maybe just first time Mum paranoia).

My second was born in Sydney and it was on my back on a tiny little bed, not so good.

[matty's mum]

I have only just found this thread, sorry entering so late

I would love to birth standing or squatting, but cant see how I could. once I get on that bed for a check dilation that's it I cant get up. Even trying to sit up a bit was impossible.

How do you ladies do it? My whole body feels week. I can see myself collapsing under my legs and falling over. Plus at the end or start of the baby coming out I feel totally out of it with pain.
I only new I wasn't having contraction because I could speak. I said I didn't know if I was having a contraction or not as the pain didn't seem to go then i realized if I was talking I mustn’t be contracting.

Sorry long post

[Sarie]

Matty's mum, ask for a birthing stool!! It will support you!

[JanetF]

Say no to the VE :) They're not really necessary unless you want to make decisions to have drugs because you're not dilating to the meaningless hospital timetable. You can also have VEs in any position that suits you - hands and knees, in water, over the bean bag. It's up to you! Remember nothing is compulsory in a hospital birth, so just say NO! If your CP can't do a VE in a position that suits *you* then they don't want the information very badly, do they?
:)

[hayleylea]

I had my little boy standnig up - i suggest go for it!!! Gravity is with you all the way! I have only had the one but i tried laying down and pushing and got no where! I then lent over the back of bed kneeling and that was ok aswell, did the last of it standing and it was good! go for it

[mel]

i was in the shower for the first part, thought it'd be nice to give birth in there, but didn't happen, thought for sure i'd be leaning over the beanbag, was deadset against being on my back, but it turned out to be the best position for me!
and i tried them all :p the birthing stool was great but things were going too slow and the midwife kept kicking me off it so i wouldn't swell up too much...
my second stage was really long so i was bloody exausted so the ol' knees up on my back position worked best for me in the end. (okay that sounds wrong... i was on my back with my knees up, my knees weren't on my back :D ) one leg pushing on the midwife the other on my DH, he couldnt figure out why his arm was so sore later, i was holding his hand and everytime i had a contraction i would pull down on his arm, it really helped for some reason.
the biggest thing i took from my first birthing experience is to be open to anything and don't be upset if it doesnt go to plan cause it probably wont!

[matty's mum]

Thanks for that Mel.
I probably am just one of those mums that it works best for on her back. I'll see how I go. :)

[Trix]

Thanks ladies!!!

I'm probably extremely naive, but i'm almost looking forward to giving birth, probably morseo finally getting to meet my daughter rather than the actual labour though!

I'll definitely keep my options and mind open to the moment!

[drewid]

Thanks ladies!!!

I'm probably extremely naive, but i'm almost looking forward to giving birth, probably morseo finally getting to meet my daughter rather than the actual labour though!

I'll definitely keep my options and mind open to the moment!

Its not so naive! I was the same, really looking forward to it. And I actually really enjoyed giving birth too, which was lovely. I think its great if you can go into it with a positive outlook!

[matty's mum]

Thanks ladies!!!

I'm probably extremely naive, but i'm almost looking forward to giving birth, probably morseo finally getting to meet my daughter rather than the actual labour though!

I'll definitely keep my options and mind open to the moment!


hi Trix I have to agree with Nicole

It's not Naive, it can be a beautiful experience. My last baby 3rd was the best birth I have had. I'm just concerned going into it this time as 3rd bub was 10bls (they keep getting bigger). going into my last birth (3rd ) I was really relaxed and hadn't thought much about size. It's really the after part looking after stickers and a new baby. Plus Matt was my first successful long term breastfeed baby so lots of hard work.

Trix the feeling that you get once baby is in your arms is unbelievable.
Using these forums and learning about different birth options is a wonderful way to prepare for the birth.

Best of luck look forward to hearing about everyone’s experiences. :)

[TwoBlue]

With my first DS i was on all fours first and then moved to the birth stool and that was great

with DS #2 just born two weeks ago today :p
i was kneeling on the bed with the top half of the bed raised to upright and i was facing the bed holding onto the bed rail along the top... does that make sense.. :confused:
so i was basically upright but on my knees so it was a bit easier on my legs....

Going into birth being excited and with a positive frame of mind is the best thing you can do to have a wonderful birth experience... it is the most amazing thing you will ever go through :D