Birthing stools

[magentamomma]

I am really interested in using a birth stool for my upcoming labor. Some sources say it can increase the risk of perineal tears, other sources say not. I am looking for any one who has used one for labor or birth. I love the relief a toilet brings during labor and I delivered my twins squatting. It seems like this would be a good tool for me.

[angelpie545]

I think for your case it would be a great tool. For women who like to give birth in the squatting position, the birthing stool works very well. I tried using the birthing stool with my first birth but the pressure on my pernium was more that I could bear so instead I gave birth underwater in a semi sitting position. From my experience though, I can see how well it would work for women who like that position. It also utilizes gravity's force and helps open the pelvis and get the baby into the birthing canal. I would keep one handy while you are in labor-but keep in mind, every labor is different, so you may or may not end up using it.

[babsbob]

I used a birthing stool for my first birth. I tried a few positions and the midwives moved me to the birthing stool toward the end. I really needed that extra help from gravity. I did tear a little but I don't know if it was because of the stool or not. My midwife now doesn't have one but she says I may not need it for my second birth as they tend to be easier. She also said that DH can be my birthing stool if I need one. I'm not sure how that works but sounds good to me.

[laohaire]

I used a birthing stool for the 3rd stage (which was prolonged - 3 hours). It was definitely intense. I also already had a fairly nasty 2nd degree tear from the 2nd stage (nuchial hand) so it was not the greatest thing in the world at that time for me, but my midwife wanted me to use it and I was too zoned to object.

So what I have to add to this thread is - they are intense - but could definitely be a good thing for some women. Just don't force yourself to use it, and don't get totally married to the idea - just have it available and use it as you like.

The toilet is also good for laboring, I spent some time on there too (but much preferred squatting in the AquaDoula to anything else).

[storychick]

I used one for awhile in my first labor, with its marathon of 4 hours pushing (I dont think there's anything we DIDNT try lol). I dont really remember being on it as different than anything else, but after getting up from it my leg was totally numb. I was trying to walk to the bathroom and my leg was completely useless, I couldnt move my foot into position let alone put weight on it! I just dragged it behind me while my mw and DH held me up. :

I dont know if that's typical, or even how long I was sitting there (I was totally in laborland), but make sure you put your legs down once in awhile to keep the blood moving!

[magentamomma]

Thank you Ladies. I know that each birth is way different and so I am heeding all you guys and not getting married to any ideas, This is third labor for me( fourth baby). I had a real hard time mentally at the birth of my third daughter. Iwant to have the stool on hand if Ifeel the urge. My midwife suggested it because I was reminising(sp?) about labor on the toilet last time. I like to sit low to the ground like on footstools or milkcrates or kid chairs and I would like it handy. It is great to hear from you ladies about this.

[chumani]

I have birthed babies 2-6 on a birth stool. The difference for me is huge. I also really like laboring on the toilet. I think the biggest issue would be the style of birth stool. The ones my midwife uses (her dh made) are low enough that my knees are comfortably bent and my feet flat on the floor. I have never torn with any of my babies. My first I was in a supported reclining position, I had a few skid marks(babe was 7lb10oz). With the rest of my babies I was on a birth stool, not even skid marks with them (7lb pushed for 2 hours, 7lb14oz pushed for 8 mins, 9lb4oz pushed for 10 mins, 6lb3oz-frank breech pushed for 4 mins, 8lb12oz pushed for 12 mins).

Best wishes!
Sarah

[Kidzaplenty]

I have used a "birthing" stool for one birth (my MW birth). I really liked it, never tore, and the labor and contractions were not really any different than my other upright births. For one UC birth I used a regular step stool to just balance my hinny on so I could sit back and rest between contractions. It, too, worked great. But I have found that I really prefer to just be kneeling or half squatting (on one knee and one foot).

[homebirthing]

I wouldn't use it for more than 20 minutes at a time. It is a great tool, but very intense on the perineum and I have seen it cause perineal edema. It is great to use with a variety of other pushing posistions!

[coobabysmom]

I pushed for 2 hours on a birthing stool and I liked being upright and having my feet planted on the ground. I did end up with 3 degree tears but ds nuchal hand and PUPPPS probably contributed to this too.

[momto l&a]

If you like sitting on a toilet seat than I guess you may like a birthing stool.

Personally I find a toilet seat uncomfortable and a birthing stool even more so.

I am also a tiny gal and those things are just too big for me.

[babycatcher01]

In our practice we have had a birth stool for 2 years. Every single mother has used it in one way or another, including myself, for ds. I can tell you from a mw veiw, never ever had a single tear on it.They say and from what I felt using it, it puts everything were it needs to be. I felt just the right amount of pressure, it had side handles for extra power. An alternative to squating some moms cant hold one for long but need to be in this position. You can see everything you need to. It just felt right to me. All our mothers seem to just be drawn to it, with out us saying to have a seat on it.
What really makes it neat, we have had mothers on knees, resting their upper body on it, even had one stand on the stool, squat using the handles for power. I love them but there are some styles that I wouldnt use, just be aware of how its built. Ours was made by one of our dads, its wood, and he traced a toilet seat cover, flared the sides out, opened the front and made handles. We waterlocked it so we can clean it, and it looks nice in the living room.

[courtenay_e]

Well, I HATED the hardness of the stool on my entire bottom, with both births. However, I DID birth on the birthing BALL...I got the squatting, the openness of the pelvis, and releif from the absolute firmness of the birth stool on my bottom, legs, etc. And I DID tear, but I believe that that was a result of the baby coming SO quickly that 1) I didn't push, and so 2)the midwives weren't there to provide perineal support. I think that, had I been able to control the amount of pressure the baby's head put on the perineum and had some support, I would have torn minimally (as it was, it was only just barely a second degree tear)