Did you practice labor/birth positions around the house while you were pregnant?

[Funny Face]

I thought visualizing my birth with dd really helped although I would be in the hospital.

I'm really excited about my homebirth this time and I've been squatting and kneeling and getting down on all fours in places all over the house as a way to kind of create a physical memory of what my options are during labor. I'm hoping these ideas will sort of stick in my mind for when I need a change of pace or scenery. With dd I felt kind of lost like I didn't know what to do with myself or where to go when things got intense.

It's a surprisingly exciting feeling just because it makes me think of birthing and I can close my eyes and begin to imagine what birthing will be like.


Anyone else done this or something similar? Or am I just weird.

[IowaMom]

I haven't physically done it yet, but I have mentally started thinking, "what would it be like to deliver here?" or "Would I want to be squatting in my bedroom here - or next to the bed?" I think it's helping me feel more prepared and calm about having the baby at home.

I'm just trying to mentally get an idea of where I think I'll be comfortable or what positions will be most comfortable to deliver in. Now, clearly it could all go out the window once labor hits ;-)

[dogmom327]

No...but if I had I probably would have gotten stuck so it wasn't worth the risk Towards the end, if I squatted (like getting something off the bottom shelf of the grocery store) or got on my hands and knees, I wasn't going to be getting up without assistance.

[Xenopus]

No, I haven't practiced any. I don't think I know what my body's going to ask me to do, to help the birth along. Whatever it asks, though, I'll listen to it.

Last time there was a lot of hanging out on the birth ball. This time, I'll have a pool, and I'll be at home. I think it will be more comfortable.

love,
-Xen

[slave2myprincess]

My midwife did show me a few exercises and stuff to do to help position the baby for labor. I did squats around the house. And this one exercise i got on the floor on all fours and did a rocking motion. But it was so hot and tired my last few weeks that i didn't do it often.

[jeninejessica]

I'm having my clients practice so that it doesn't feel awkward when the time comes.

Since watching birth as we know it- I also myself practice positions a little bit, but mostly I'll just close my eyes and swirl my hips, trying to get to the place that the woman in the tub was at- that completely serene relaxed state.

[Rockies5]

Originally Posted by jeninejessica

I'm having my clients practice so that it doesn't feel awkward when the time comes.

Since watching birth as we know it- I also myself practice positions a little bit, but mostly I'll just close my eyes and swirl my hips, trying to get to the place that the woman in the tub was at- that completely serene relaxed state.

I always have, and I encourage couples in my classes and doula clients to do so to. I don't think it's necessary per se, but it's fun and funny and for first time parents imagining the birth when they have no memories to draw on..physically getting into position and planning where they'll be is helpful!

(ps I also tell the same thing to students/clients/freinds who are going on hsopital tours. I persoanlly once was yelled at for getting into the tub during a tour. Heavens! It was no longer STERILE)

[sunnymw]

I do this

I get on the birth ball in the living room, the bedroom, to see how the levels of everything line up so I don't waste precious contractions trying something impossible

I've also filled up the tub and gotten into several positions to see which ones would be least awkward for pushing, since our tub is oddly shaped on the inside.