We all know that in the midst of giving birth, women will try any position to help with labour. But we didn’t know, until now, that labouring on the toilet is actually a popular position and midwives say that it’s very effective for many mums.

A photo has been posted by a doula, showing a woman sitting on the toilet with one foot on a birth stool, deep in the throws of labour.

The doula, from North Dallas Doula Associates, shares why she recommends this position.

“All of my clients know that I love using the toilet for labor. It’s the best way to release a pelvic floor and help a baby descend into the pelvis,” she commented. “The contractions are super intense on the potty, but that’s because they are super productive!”

“Trust me when I tell you, this is one of the all time best labor positions!!!!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by North Dallas Doula Associates (@northdallasdoulas) on Sep 5, 2019 at 7:39pm PDT

Another birthing expert, Belinda Joyce, midwife, maternal and child health nurse, author and mother of four, spoke to Babyology saying that she is also supportive of labouring on the toilet.

“This position is excellent in active labour for both comfort and progress,” she says.

“In my experience, women rarely want to move away from this position. It increases the internal diameters of the pelvis allowing the baby to descend deeper and move into a better position.”

There Is A Butt

But there is a ‘but”. Belinda warns that women shouldn’t on the toilet seat for too long as it could cause swelling.

The midwife also reassures mums that while it is extremely unlikely that the baby would fall into the toilet, women still need to take care as labour progresses.

“It can become a problem as 2nd stage (pushing) begins, as the birth can occur on the toilet and it is difficult for the midwife or doctor to assist with the birth if required or to catch the baby,” says Belinda.

“In many hospitals and birth centres, there are birthing stools available which allow this same position on a padded seat similar to a toilet seat and also allows access if required during the birth and to catch the baby!”

Lots Of Support

The original Instagram post has attracted a number of comments with many followers sharing their experiences of toilet labour.

“I was on the toilet when my baby’s head started to come through,” said one.

“Yep, that’s where I spent the majority of my labor, right,” said another.

Another wholeheartedly agreed:
“This was my favorite position when I was in labor actually! It was soothing for me, personally. I also preferred to poop because it helped with the pressure!”

“It was literally the only place I could comfortable enough to labor,” said one.

“I went from 6cm to pushing after a trip to the toilet in labor,” another mum shared.

So labouring on the toilet may not be the most attractive place to push out a baby but who really cares. If it works, it works!

Did you/would you labour on the toilet? Tell us in the comments below.

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