pushing survey - Page 3

[Aura_Kitten]

I credit my 3rd degree tear to pushing very hard before I was ready.

YES! i am quite sure that how badly i tore was directly related to how (and how much) they had me push.

[Carolinamidwife]

Very interesting thread!

I'm answering these based on my last birth, a waterbirth at home...

How long did you push?

3-5 minutes


How did you know when to start pushing?

I can't really say, one second I was leaning over the side of the tub biting a wet towel and the next I was grunting. My midwife asked me if I was pushing and I said no! But even that came out all grunty and strained, like I always hear moms at births when they're pushing.


Why did you start pushing when you did?

It wasn't my decision, my body did it without my brain being involved. She was moving down fast and furious and my body knew what to do.


Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)

At first it was involuntary. I was heavily in laborland, my transition rocked my world and I was not in my conscious brain at the time. I heard myself pushing and I knew I was doing it because I had to but I was scared. When the ring of fire started somewhere in my brain I realized the only way out was through... so I pushed.


Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?

Yes, like I said above my body was pushing for me at first and at that point it was my back that was bearing the brunt of the pain. Pain like that really takes you out of your head, fight or flight adrenaline and what not. When it started to burn I reached down and was amazed to feel her head at 1/3 crown. At that point the pain I was concentrating on was perineal and deep vaginal pain. I just wanted her out, I wasn't really thinking of her as a baby, more her as something I needed to get out of me as quickly as possible. Luckily, when I started voluntary grunty pushing to crown her a lot of my midwifery training went through my head. I put my hand on her head to slow her crown and I tried to edge her out slowly. It really hurt but once her head was out it was the greatest relief in the world.

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?

It did, but not in the way of mainstream ideas. I have been studying midwifery for 2 years now and so I doubt preconceptions did not play a role. I knew what I didn't want, or so I thought. Based on my experiences at other births I thought I wanted to push her out without anyone touching my perineum, it turned out that was not so and I ended up really needing perineal support for my own comfort. I won't say it affected how I did things but it did affect me in that when I felt pressure I knew she was moving down, when I started to think I couldn't do it anymore I knew it was almost over.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?

As an apprentice midwife my philosophy is mother-led pushing unless there is an urgent reason for a differently conducted phase. Eash mother births differently and every woman has different needs. Yes, our bodies know how to push but sometimes women want or need a little guidance.

My philosophy as a birther is get them out and get it overwith. Pushing was very painful and scary for me.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?

I started out leaning over the side of the birth pool. When I reached down and felt her head I knew I did not want to give birth on all fours (preconceptions again, I suppose) so I flopped back into semi-reclining. I ended up kind of almost holding myself up with my legs but I do remember a lucid thought that I should spread them wider to open my pelvis up more and allow some stretch.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?

My 2nd stage was totally instinctual. My midwife followed my lead completely, she was in the truest sense of the word a midwife at my birth. She was with me but the birth was mine. I was not hindered or inhibited at all. I don't think I could have felt inhibited at that point. My transition and pushing stage melded together in a furious 15 minutes that could not have been stopped by anything. There were no complications or variations that would have been considered a complication, it was textbook. Stella came out peacefully and pink, her transition was flawless, no suctioning, TTN, or any other slow starting issues.

All in all my pushing was the most painful part as I knew all along my pregnacy that it would be. Luckily it was fast. I didn't tear or even skid, my perineum felt completely recovered in 3 days.

[mamaley]

I have so much I should be doing now but my birth with dd was my first time to try it naturally, and it was the pushing part that, um, impressed me the most.

How long did you push?
I got the the freestanding birthcenter at 8:30am and was 10cm. I didn't feel like pushing right away, but gave birth at 9:47am--I would guess for about an hour? Probably a little less.

How did you know when to start pushing?
My body made it's way up on my hands and knees and pushed. It was the oddest experience--I didn't think *at all*, my body was totally seperate and did it all for me.

Why did you start pushing when you did?
My body just did it (see above)
Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)
Very much voluntary. My mw had checked me, and walked away. I asked how long until i was at 10, and she said, "oh, you are now. whenever you're ready". I lay there for a little bit, moaning, and then did it when my body told me to.

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
At one point I felt endorphins, so I couldn't feel anything at all. Awesome. But other than that, it was extremely intense and I made a lot of very loud, deep, animal-like noises (that I still refuse to be embarrassed about! lol)--someone out of the room thought my husband was making noises with me! Not sure if any of that answered your ?

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?

No. No, I take that back. I read a lot of Ina May, so I did a lot to relax myself, and made raspberries with my lips, which helped. Through the reading, I learned to relax as much as possible (allthough at the time I wouldn't have used the word relax) and to not rush myself. And to use noise as a tool, which I did.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
Listen to your body. No one else. Dont listen to what anyone says about how you should push, where you should push. It's like going to the bathroom--you don't need anyone telling you when, where, or how, and privacy is best--whatever that means to you.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
Hands and knees--extremely instintive. I had always thought that this has to be the worst way to birth, but it was what my body needed. And my midwife reminded me to put my hand on the babies head when she crowned (that really helped) and I helped catch her and brought her up to me through my legs.


Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive?
Extremely instintive. Sat on the birthing ball, totally relaxed my body, and made noise. No fear at all.

Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way?
Not that I remember
Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
No


Great memories!

[lilyka]

How long did you push ? 15 min/12 min/ 3 min

How did you know when to start pushing?
A direct order from God Himself couldn't have stoipped me. Mostly I felt like I really had to poop :LOL

Why did you start pushing when you did? yes, They wanted me to wait with my first but I don't remember why or if I did.

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate) involentary

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
After the first couple of pushes I couldn't feel the contractions anymore and would just push. I figured they must be there and pushing would only get the baby out faster.

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how? No.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
You can stop it, you can't will the pushing part to come you just have to go with it.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
For my first I was on my side in a bed that was tilted almost completrely up. I am not sure how I didn't crash to the ground. #2 and #3 were hands and knees, it was the position I was in when I started pushing and I was in too much pain to move. byt #3 I was totally sold on that position.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
Every thing was nirmal and I would say it was instinctive. I was way loopy with my first birth because of complications resulting in me not having slept for the 5 days prior to it but I don't remember being told much of anything. Everything was totally istinc with #2&3

[Peppamint]

How long did you push?
38 minutes my first birth (although I fought pushing for about an hour before that because the nurse told me I had hours to go so I didn't realize I was complete! )and 34 minutes my second birth

How did you know when to start pushing?
My first birth, the nurse finally checked me after I grunted and said I had to go to the bathroom for an HOUR. My second birth I didn't even push all that much. I was kneeling in the water and he was roaring out with or without my assistance!

Why did you start pushing when you did?
My first birth I pushed because it felt good (once I knew it was okay : ). My second birth I didn't really have to push although I did push to get his head and shoulders out.

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)
My first birth it was both, but I worked against my body involuntarily pushing for quite awhile because I was told I had hours of labor left. My second birth is was almost completely involuntary. It was like my body remembered what to do and just did it.

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
Not really. Pushing for me is a roaring train until the baby emerges. LOL

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?
I do think preconceptions influenced my pushing stage. What was worse is the internal monitor "indicated" that my dd's heartrate went down when I squatted, so I was made to push in the lithomy position.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
Wait until your body starts pushing. Always exceptions to the rule though.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
First birth- lithomy position chosen by my OB (how convenient! she was 8mo preggo herself)
Second birth- kneeling in the birthing pool at home

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
A little of both. I was much less inhibited during my second birth. No complications, but I did get a vaginal check. Next time I would rather just go with instinct.

[AverysMum]

How long did you push?
Voluntarily, a couple of minutes.
Involuntarily, an hour?

How did you know when to start pushing?
Avery had moving down pretty much on her own for a while and I thought she was close. The nurse checked me and she was "right there."

Why did you start pushing when you did?
Because she was "right there"

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)
Involunary at first. After every contraction, I could feel her move and I'd loudly groan. DH said I sounded like some kind of animal

When she was "right there" I pushed twice to get her head out and once more to birth her body.

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
I just let things go as naturally as I could. Once the involuntary pushing started, the contractions didn't seem so bad so I just went with the flow.

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?
My preconceived idea was to let the birth happen as naturally as possible. I chose a birth center for this reason and didn't want an epidural. It was hard but I'd do it again in a second.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
I don't know if I have a philosophy per se. Again, I just went with the flow and it worked VERY well for me.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
I was on my side. My labor progressed pretty quickly (I went from 3 cm to holding my babe in two hours) and it was quite painful (duh). I tried many positions, I tried the shower, birthing ball, etc and laying on my side was the only position I could get comfortable in. I stayed that way for the final hour or so of the labor.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
Totally, 100% instinctive. The nurses checked me when I got there and again when I said, "um I think she's coming" DH and I were left alone for the most part. It was a really great birth experience!

[Soogie]

How long did you push?

With DS #1, I pushed for a total of 35 minutes. Though only 15 minutes of that was "effective" pushing. It took 20 minutes for my mind to catch up with my body. Wtih DD #2, I barely pushed. It was less than 2 minutes from when the urge hit me to when she was born.

How did you know when to start pushing?

With DS#1, my water broke and I instantly had the urge to push. With DD #2, I just got that overwhelming urge and gave one involuntary push (my body pushed on its own) and she was already crowning.

Why did you start pushing when you did?

I couldn't fight the urge!!!

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)

The urge and the first few pushes were involuntary. I only pushed when I felt I needed to and worked with the contractions.


Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?

With my son, I was in complete control when I was pushing. The first 20 minutes, I slept in between contractions and then I totally came around, my mind caught up to what my body was doing. I got my second wind and was ready to birth my son. I watched him being born in the mirror and it was amazing to see. With my daughter, her birth was EXPLOSIVE! I had the urge, my body pushed once for me, and she was already out up to her ears. The nurse checked me and proceeded to hold my daughters head and my legs closed while she called for my doc and the NICU team STAT. My water was heavily stained with meconium so they needed to be there as a precaution. I just remember trying hard not to push and hearing people running down the hall to my room. I felt so out of control.


Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?

We had taken Bradley classes and I knew to trust and listen to my body.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?

Push only when you have the urge and only push toa comfortable limit. Your body will guide you.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?

With my son, I pushed the majority of the time on my side. It was the position I chose because it was most comfortable. I rotated onto my back, semi reclined when I was ready to deliver on the advice of the nurses. I didn't protest rolling over but I did refuse the stirrups. With my daughter, she was born while I was on my side, the position I labored in most of the time, trying to encourage her to turn right. She was coming down with her head crooked. The bed was never broken down, the "gunk catcher" was never set up, and my doc wasn't even gloved. It all happened so fast.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?

With my first, the nurses and doc were preoccupied with their son's soccer games to even be bothered by my pushing. I was in my own little world, listening to my body. I remember pushing once and feeeling him right there, and my husband had to remind them that I was pushing. They were like "oh yeah, right! He was born 2 pushes later. With my daughter, it was so hard to fight my body and not push. The nurse was holding my legs closed. But I knew my doc was concerned about the meconium, and he wanted to make sure she was off to the right start when she was born. She was suctioned at the perineum. All in all, my son's delivery, although it was longer, was much more enjoyable. I watched him come into the world, and he was immediately put to my breast. My daughters birth was just too quick with the little scare of meconium. I didn't get to hold her until she was 10 minutes old, they had already put the eye gunk in her eyes, so she never really got to look at me right away, my husband didn't get to cut the cord, we have no pictures of her birth. The process was much less satisfying from that perspective. But when all is said and done, I have two beautiful children, that are the joys of my life.

Susan

[nonnymoose]

I had an unmedicated hospital birth.

How long did you push?
My water broke first (2:45pm) , my first contraction was about an hour later, I was 6-7cm when we got to the hospital (11pm), and it gets a little fuzzy after that but I think it took me two more hours to fully dilate, and an hour and a half of pushing. It was almost exactly twelve hours from start to finish.

How did you know when to start pushing?
The nurse checked me when I started getting faint urges to push - that's when we knew I was at 10cm. They were fairly faint, though.

Why did you start pushing when you did?
Once we knew I was dilated, I waited through a few contractions until I got two good "urge-to-push" cx.

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)
It was very much voluntary at the beginning of 2nd stage. It changed during the course of the birth (see next answer).

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
While I was waiting for my cervix to get its act together, I was on my side. Once I got the urge to push, I rolled over on my back, and the urge stopped. As in, *poof* take-a-nap-type gone. That was frustrating! I knew it was crunch time, and my body took itself a li'l break anyway. I felt pretty stupid when I started pushing, because it was just my brain doing the directing. As I got further into the stage, a neat thing happened - as I was approaching the end of my push, my body would take over and I could just ride the wave. I lost any sense of pain during 2nd stage - it actually felt good to me, because there was a definite sense of my baby moving downwards.

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?
Since I'd never done it before, I wanted to go into it with an open mind. The fact that I got grief from my OB over it and all the horror stories people felt that they needed to tell me about labor pain just made me want an unmedicated birth more.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
I read the Bradley book, and a lot of it made sense. I'm not the type to do the whole process that way, but I most certainly made use of the ideas about staying out of your own body's way. I was *very* bad about practicing the relaxation stuff beforehand.
Luckily for me, I'm apparently good at self-hypnosis, 'cause I was falling asleep in between contractions all the way through, including during second stage.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
I thought I'd want to be able to walk around/ get on hands and knees/ squat, but once I got to the actual labor, I was perfectly fine with lying on my side like a beached whale with a fetal monitor on. I really didn't feel like doing a whole lot of position changes.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
The doctor didn't come into the room until I was ready to deliver, which was fine with me...it was just us girls.
I was really lucky to have a nurse that wanted to try perineal massage - I was her first experience with it. Another nurse who'd come from a hospital that did it routinely came in and gave her the basic idea, and she honed her technique on me. It sure does make a difference! By the time I delivered, I believe I could have gotten a canteloupe past my perineum, it was that loose. Naturally I tore on the other end : I didn't realize you *could* tear your labia minora! Not the least bit of vaginal trauma, but a near miss on continuing to enjoy my love life. Getting sewn up was worse than giving birth! Next time I'll be having them standing by with a vat of K-Y.
I didn't feel inhibited at all - I was glad when they brought the big mirror in so I could see the entertainment too. Once the pushing urge really started, it was definitely an instinctual process for me.

[sagewinna]

I have 3 kids, so 3 answers for each one.

How long did you push? 3 pushes/ 2 pushes/ 3 pushes.

How did you know when to start pushing? Instinctual, just knew I had to! / knew I was complete and they told me to "try"/ realized I was pushing involuntarily, didn't think about it.

Why did you start pushing when you did? See above.

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate) Second child I had an apidoural and didn't feel the urge so I had to think about it.

Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how? Too fast to be applicable.

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?

What is your "philosophy" of pushing? It's always been super fast for me, but I liked being able to push however I was instead of being moved into the "pushing position", on my back!.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best? First 2 were on my back with my legs held by others (hospital)... Wanted to sit up more with second but the Dr. wouldn't let me. 3rd was at home in a tub, in a half squatting half side lying position, instinct.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications? Too fast to be managed!

[Peony]

I had an unmedicated hosptial birth

How long did you push?
45 minutes, but the first 10-15 minutes were ineffective pushes.

How did you know when to start pushing?
When the MW told me to : I was perfectly content in the labor tub, I was literally escorted back to my room, my dilation assessed, when it was found to be 10cm, my membranes were ruptured, I was told to get on my hands and knees and push. I had to no urge to push.

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary?
The pushing was completely voluntary until after halfway through then I did have an urge but I wouldn't say I HAD to push though.


Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
In the beginning since it was voluntary, I really wasn't trying to push that hard, I had the "cheerleaders" aka the nurses yelling at me and counting to ten. I was considering hitting on of them because they were driving me nuts ''. Then dd was passing under my pubic bone (I think that's what it was), anyway it hurt like he**, I didn't want to push because it hurt so much, finally my MW told me it wasn't going to feel any better the longer I took, so I started really pshing. The rest was just pain, that is all I remember, my labor never really hurt that much, I didn't really have a transition, just a steady progress. I screamed alot, I would push, take a breathe, scream, and do it again!

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?
I studied so much about the labor but I didn't focus on the pushing. I knew the mechanics of it, I am an RN, but the only birth I had every seen was flat on her back, counting to 10, I just assumed that was the way it was. I never thought about it, I was so focuesed on getting through the labor, I never considered what I would do when the baby was coming out!


What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
Now it is whatever feels right, when I pushed with dd, it did not feel right, I think that is why pushing was so painful for me.

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
I ended up birthing with DH sitting behind me, I was leaning back on him holding my legs. The MW suggested this position.

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
I am happy with how the 1st stage went, the 2nd stage I am not. I was not prepared for it, I would say there was nothing instinctive about it at all. I had no fear during stage 1, I felt afraid during stage 2, I didn't like being told what to do, but yet I didn't know what to do. It was all very confusing to me. I think had I been left alone like I had during the rest of my labor, I would of been better able to handle it. I liked it with just dh and I. Oh well, lessons learned! Next time will be different.

[bebe luna]

Re: pushing survey

Originally posted by blueviolet

Here are the questions I have been asking:

How long did you push?
**ds#1~ 10 minutes
**ds#2~ 17 minutes

How did you know when to start pushing?
**ds#1~ I just "knew"
**ds#2~ I had to be told due to epidural

Why did you start pushing when you did?
**With my 1st, I just knew it was time.. w/ my 2nd, I was told to 'get pushing" and by then I was thrilled to be at the pushing stage!

Was the pushing voluntary or involuntary? (If both, please elaborate)
*voluntary both times

[B]Did the urge to push, the pushing sensations, and your response to them change over time? If so, how?
*not really sure on that one

Was your approach to the pushing phase influenced by preconceptions about how and when it should be done, and if so, how?
*not really, I just knew w/ ds#1 I needed to push. I didn't have many preconceptions.

What is your "philosophy" of pushing?
???

What position were you in when you were pushing/giving birth? Was this position instinctively chosen or did you make a choice that was influenced by preconceptions about what position would be best?
*ds#1~ in a birthing tub, hanging over the tub edge a bit/ semi hands & knees position
*ds#2~ on a bed w/ knees pulled up towards chest

Was your 2nd stage managed/measured/guided in any way (by you or others) or would you characterize it as instinctive? Did you feel hindered/inhibited in any way? Were there complications or variations of normal that are sometimes regarded as complications?
***not w/ my first son... but w/ ds#2 I was in a lot of extreme pain & a long hard labor which led me to beg for an epidural... he ended up weighing over 11 lbs at birth! no other interventions though, and once I began pushing he came out pretty quick... he did get stuch for a moment in the birth canal & my midwife had to reach in and manuever him out...

Please add any other relevant comments. Also feel free to email me your answers if you'd rather.

Thank you!