What position is the most ‘comfortable’ to labor in?

[sophmama]

Please elaborate - this can be your experience personally or what you think in general for *most* women.

[lioralourie]

for me, it is lying down in the tub

[roadfamily6now]

well, I have never been fortunate to labor in a birthing tub but for me standing is so much better then sitting or in a bed.

[Ruthla]

For me- walking! I could NOT sit or stand still during contractions. I compromised and labored in a rocking chair overnight when I was in labor with my first- I could rock during contractions and nap between them.

[treemom2]

I walk, well. . .pace during my labor until transition then I will sit on the toilet, get on all fours, or pace some more. It all just depends on what my body wants and tells me to do.

[kerikadi]

I chose sitting in the tub but really I think sitting on the birth ball was the best for me - I sat on it for the majority of my 3rd labor. I would have done it again with #4 but I knew there was no time, I got in the tub right away.

Keri

[Kelleybug]

I have always liked sitting on the birth ball. Walking or standing with DH is usually pretty comfortable. I was in the tub at the hospital last time, but it just wasn't quite deep enough so it was hard to get really comfortable. This time is different though. I have a big birthing tub at home, so I will see!

[scrapadoozer]

I HAD to walk during labor. I tried to stay on my back during one contraction because I was so tired and the pain became so much more than I could stand.

[MamaRabbit]

OTHER: Sitting on the toilet

[MsElle07]

I chose other as well: I liked the birth ball while leaning on the bed.

[KrystalC]

I couldn't vote for more than one option!

I found different positions more comfortable as labor progressed. In the beginning of active labor, I paced non-stop through every contraction. Toward the middle, I rocked back and forth on my hands and knees. During transition it was hard to stand, so I rocked back and forth at the foot of the bed.

[sweeetpea]

Standing, walking. During a contraction I would lean on a counter, high stool, wall, or person. I actually said during labor "HOW do women DO this lying down???". I didn't have a birth pool, which, in hindsight, would have been the BEST place to be.

Sweetpea

[savithny]

I voted other - if I had to pick, I'd say "hands and knees in tub," although "seated in tub" would be okay in a pinch.

Although, honestly, if there were a "ANYTHING but flat on my back" option, I think that would cover it. And while I think positioning is quite personal, I haven't met anyone yet who was most comfortable on their back in bed, so that may be something approaching the "best for everyone" question you ask.

[veganf]

Totally depends on the individual person and labor. Each labor is different. Different people find difference positions comfortable.
I am NOT a water person. I get no comfort from it.

Baby #1 - Labored laying on my side in bed, changing sides every half hour or so. Pushed side lying, squatting, & on a birth stool.
Baby #2 -Labored laying on my side, sitting on toilet, and jumping around the room! Pushed semi-reclined leaning back against my husband.
Baby #3 - Labored walking walking walking, leaning against the couch on my knees, standing leaning against the kitchen counter or a chair. Pushed on hands & knees and laying on my back on the couch with my butt in the air.

So I guess I'd suggest movement and position changes, and doing what feels comfortable to you at the time.

- Krista

[AKmoose]

I chose other, since I can't imagine ever finding ONE position the "most" comfortable. The beauty of birthing on your own terms is the ability to change positions the whole time if you want...now having said that, the toilet was definitely a favorite

[MamaSong]

Hard question to answer because I was in SO many positions during labor, I said hands and knees because I felt like Childs Pose really helped me cope through most of my early/active labor....by transition I was in the tub kind of writhing around, so I actually have no idea what the best position would have been then -

[Full Heart]

#6 for me was standing and walking around. #5 was seated in this 1 chair. #4 nothing worked, absolutely nothing. #3 was laying in bed on my side. #2 nothing worked and #1 was on my knees on the floor with my head on the bed.

[Phoebe]

Don't know about MOST women, but for me kneeling in the birth tub was the most comfortable way for me. That was the way ds#2 came out too.

[pookel]

For me it was lying on my back, but I think that's because the contractions hurt the same regardless, and if I lay down then at least my legs got a break.

[mothragirl]

whatever her body tells her