more questions

[Guest guest]

hi all,

I'm back with a few more questions, so I hope you can help me out.

I've been reading and watching a show on cable called " A baby story. " Has

anyone seen it? It's actually pretty interesting. But in over 90% of the

vaginal deliveries they have the moms flat on their backs with legs up in

stirrups or held by the coach and nurse.

Personally, this looks like about the worst position to be in. I can't

stand to be flat on my back due to asthma and doubt I would tolerate this

position for very long. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? WHat

is/are the best position(s) to labor/deliver in?

When I asked my doctor about it, she said that the fetus couldn't negotiate

the angle throught the pelvis if the mom is sitting upright. Is this true?

Also, is perineal massage of benefit to prevent lacerations or need for

epis?

Guess that's all the questions I have-at least for today.

thanks

in NM

[Guest guest]

<< she said that the fetus couldn't negotiate

the angle throught the pelvis if the mom is sitting upright. Is this true?

>>

It's been my experience (23 years) that it's some of the docs that can't

negotiate the delivery! I've had moms in every imaginable position, including

hands & knees and standing up! And as far as labor goes, it's been my

experience that frequent position changes (favoring the upright positions)

works great!

[Guest guest]

It depends who you ask. The best position for labor/ delivery is one in which

the mother is most comfortable. The lithotomy position does allow the best

access for the doctor for visualization and is the most common for delivery. It

is also quickly accessible for suprapubic pressure, etc. Since most mothers

have epidurals, it is difficult to use some positions.

Schetnan wrote:

>

>

> hi all,

> I'm back with a few more questions, so I hope you can help me out.

> I've been reading and watching a show on cable called " A baby story. " Has

> anyone seen it? It's actually pretty interesting. But in over 90% of the

> vaginal deliveries they have the moms flat on their backs with legs up in

> stirrups or held by the coach and nurse.

> Personally, this looks like about the worst position to be in. I can't

> stand to be flat on my back due to asthma and doubt I would tolerate this

> position for very long. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? WHat

> is/are the best position(s) to labor/deliver in?

> When I asked my doctor about it, she said that the fetus couldn't negotiate

> the angle throught the pelvis if the mom is sitting upright. Is this true?

> Also, is perineal massage of benefit to prevent lacerations or need for

> epis?

> Guess that's all the questions I have-at least for today.

> thanks

> in NM

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

>

> wrote:

> << she said that the fetus couldn't negotiate

> the angle throught the pelvis if the mom is sitting upright. Is this

true?

Then wrote:

> It's been my experience (23 years) that it's some of the docs that can't

> negotiate the delivery!

I *love* this comment! It's so true so much of the time. Many times, the

doctors do things because it's expedient for them, not better for the mom

and baby.

Deliveries will occur even if mom stands on her head.

However, some positions for delivery allow gravity to help--squatting, or

walking, etc. Also opens the pelvis a bit to maximize the space the baby has

to get through.

Flat on a patient's back is *not* necessarily the best position, but it is

*easier* for the docs, as a rule.

----Jeanine

[Guest guest]

HI ,

thanks for the comments. Although I really like my OB, this has been my

suspicion. I've worked with docs for years and rarely see one who is

willing to do something that isn't for his/her own convenience.

My opinion is that the mom is the one doing all the work and L/D needs to be

the most convenient for her, not the doc who just sits there and catches the

baby!

I had my glucose screening done last fri and it came back high, so today I

had a 3 hour gluc tol. test. YUK! it was nasty, but I survived. Just have

a headache.

thanks again

in NM

[Guest guest]

Also opens the pelvis a bit to maximize the space the baby has

>to get through.

I've been working on my legs and hips with yoga lately. There are a few

positions that are called " hip openers " that seem like they would be

helpful. We've signed up for prepared childbirth class and I'm reading

everything I can find.

thanks for all the input

in NM

[Guest guest]

I can relate brenda; at 36 I failed the l hr and also had to take the

three hour....and just barely passed! I was more careful with my diet

and all went well for the rest of the pregnancy.....Talia weighed in at

8lbs 4 oz where my 9 year old was only 7-4 (but I was Much Younger with

her!) sue

Schetnan wrote:

>

>

>

> HI ,

> thanks for the comments. Although I really like my OB, this has been

> my

> suspicion. I've worked with docs for years and rarely see one who is

> willing to do something that isn't for his/her own convenience.

> My opinion is that the mom is the one doing all the work and L/D needs

> to be

> the most convenient for her, not the doc who just sits there and

> catches the

> baby!

> I had my glucose screening done last fri and it came back high, so

> today I

> had a 3 hour gluc tol. test. YUK! it was nasty, but I survived.

> Just have

> a headache.

> thanks again

> in NM

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> [