Correcting wrong assumptions about pushing during labour

Ultimately, telling moms they don’t have to push is a disservice to those preparing to give birth, especially for the first time. Instead explain what they have to do instead. 

Pushing and the birth of a baby encompass the second stage of labor, coming right after contractions and dilation and before the third stage, delivery of the placenta.

Pushing is meant to achieve the following goals.

1) Help a healthy baby to descend
2) Help the baby descend in a reasonable amount of time
3) Minimise any trauma to the baby and mother.

HOW PUSHING WORKS

The act of pushing is involuntary – something your body does without permission. Once the cervix is open completely (10 cm) and all that’s there is baby’s head, the body starts pushing all on its own. This is called the fetal ejection reflex. When a woman is fully dilated, she typically feels a strong, reflexive urge to push. This urge is involuntary, and something that the body just does.

The fetal ejection reflex is a powerful, whole body sensation that guides women through the second stage of labor. For parents that have never given birth, compare it to the reflex action that comes with vomiting – it happens all by itself.

But this isn’t the case for every woman, especially for those that have not had a previous vaginal delivery. Many women need to put forth great strength behind each pushing contraction to birth their babies. Some have to give everything they’ve got – for hours! This may not be the average woman’s experience, but it’s well within the range of normal.

Ladies, your body was designed to give birth and knows just what to do. Some of you will push with minimal extra effort, some will push for hours giving it all you’ve got, and most of you will fall somewhere in the middle. Pushing is instinctual and it’s something that you can play around with to see what works best.