One of my concerns with choosing a Dr. Is whether or not they will let me change positions to push. My BFF was forced to push through horrible back labor while lying on her back.
I think I'd like to be able to squat or push while in a doggy position.
Were you able to choose & what position worked best for you and baby.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I had to stay on my side because of my high BP 
so I pushed on my side and my back.
cherry / 157 posts
I was on my back for both but would think this day in age the doctors would be fine with either one you suggested above.
pomegranate / 3516 posts
I pushed on my back. I think they would have let me push in other positions but they were trying to keep me from getting too worked up since I had sent my blood pressure skyrocketing when they put the IV in. It was also easiest for me.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I was on my back because I had awful sciatic nerve pain and didn't want to move (the longer I stayed in one position, the less it bothered me), plus I pushed for 2.5 hours so it was the most comfortable. They would've let me push in another position, though
papaya / 10560 posts
I had to stay on my back and side because I couldn't stop push before my cervix fully dilated.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Sugar.Biscuit: I think that really has to do more with the hospital and your labor nurse. ie some hospitals don't have birthing balls. You really don't know which position will work better for you till that moment. I tried squatting and doggie style too and back was more comfortable for me. 
I was in back labor and had no issues birthing on my side and back with my foot up on stir ups.
Your OB is practically non existent during labor.
grapefruit / 4819 posts
I was on my back because I had an epidural and was feeling no pain. I'm glad I was on my back because LO came out in a hurry and had I been in a position where gravity was able to help more, I possibly would have torn worse than I did (a clean, mild second degree tear).
The midwives at our hospital are very pro-natural birth and doing whatever possible to make the mother comfortable, but they said they do tend to caution women against squatting because it does lead to more severe tears, but the birthing stool or on all fours both get the thumbs up (from what I recall - I didn't pay that much attention because I 100% knew I wanted an epidural from the minute I got my BFP!)
I think you will instinctively know what feels right for you - before I got my epi, I knew I had to walk around the room, stomping the floor and making low groaning noises to get through the contractions - not at all what I had pictured myself doing prior to labour! Those instincts are powerful things!
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
I couldn't move my legs due to one amazeballs epidural, so I had to lie on my back. I only had like 5 pushes though so it wasn't a big deal or a nuisance:)
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I had an epi so I was on my back. Didn't mind though.... the epi made it so it wasn't too bad.
watermelon / 14206 posts
I was on my back, even though I really wanted to be on my side. But, due to the nature of my delivery, the staff told me I needed to be on my back. I know I probably would not have torn as much if I were any other way, but the staff insisted.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
I tried squatting and side but I didn't like it. I actually preferred my back. I didn't have an epi so I was free to pick what felt best for me.
pear / 1570 posts
back and side. i had an epi and a really high fever so i just kind of went with it. it felt right so it didn't bother me.
pomegranate / 3729 posts
For the first push I was on my knees leaning on the back of the bed. But, it was too much for me, so I wound up on my back. And, even though it went against everything I thought I would do in labor, it was my choice and most comfortable for me!
coconut / 8305 posts
I was on my side & pushed completely unassisted until I felt her head, then someone (I think a nurse) held my top leg. I refused to even consider pushing on my back unless *I* just couldn't do another way. If my pelvic opening was going to be smaller it was going to be on my terms! Lol
ETA: What I've learned is a provider isn't going to let a baby just drop on the floor so in essence you can delivery HOW EVER YOU WANT, you just may have to fight for it (providers have threatened to not deliver unless mom was on her back) AND you do always have yourself or your DH so if a provider did refuse that doesn't have to stop you. 
(if you have an epi I think coaching may be necessary though)
bananas / 9357 posts
I started out pushing on my side and that hurt like a mo fo. My hospital has a bar the goes over the bed, so then I used that in a squatting position. That felt amazing! Then for the final pushes, I had to get on my back for the OB. I didn't like that. I could have delivered him in the squatting position. Probably all on my own too w/o someone telling me when to push.
squash / 13764 posts
On my back kinda--more sitting up, with DH supporting me from behind. I only pushed for 20 minutes, so it was totally fine with me.
pomelo / 5331 posts
I had an epidural so I pushed on my back. It was fine! But I also didn't have back labor.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
LO is still in utero, but during our prepared childbirth class, we went over 4 different laboring and delivering positions that they said we could try when the time came. Some were more helpful if you had back labor or if your baby was positioned a certain way.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
With my first, I pushed on my back.
With my second, they had me start pushing while I was on my side. When she was almost out they put me on my back.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I was on my back because I had an epi. I had a perfect epi where I couldn't feel pain but I could still feel the pressure of every contraction and could move my legs completely so I was able to hold my own legs and sort of curl forward to push. It was quite comfortable for me.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
Exactly what @PrincessBaby said - awesome epi & 5 pushes on my back! I found pushing on my back effective.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
On my back. I had an epidural, it was wonderful. I felt nothing during labor.
blogger / pomegranate / 3201 posts
I had an epidural, so they let me push on my back, side, and then we tried putting the back of the bed all the way up and I faced it on my knees holding on to the matress, so I was sort of squatting. I wanted to stand and squat, but they wouldn't let me.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I was on my back but the bed was reclined so my back was at a 45 or so degree angle. I had an epidural that wasn't working but the line was still in, and one of my legs was completely dead, so I really couldn't have pushed in another position without significant support. I was pretty comfortable, though (with back labor)...I don't think I could have been flat on my back.
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