No urge to push?

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I'm preparing for my second planned homebirth and am exploring some of the reasons I think I transfered with my first birth.  One of the big factors was that I didn't ever get a strong urge to push.  I pushed for over two hours at home with little progress and no real urge and then for another 1+ hour in the hospital.  I never felt any natural urge, which obviously made it difficult.  Seriously, TMI, but it was like trying to poop when I didn't have to go.  

What causes this?  Is it common?  What can be done about it?   

Here is a clue for everyone who loves a good birth mystery:  

Before the true 2nd stage I had a strange body sensation.  I've already had it this pregnancy so I now know it is unrelated to the second stage.  It's kind of like a strong muscular chill that starts at the top of the uterus.  The uterus tenses sort of uncontrolably and then the tension kind of chills out to the rest of the body.  For my first birth, I had this sensation during transition and I mistook it for the urge to push.  Because of that I started pushing a bit before I was fully dialted, which as I recall may have created a "swollen lip".  I'm not sure if any of this is related but I thought I'd mention it.  

[Koalamom]

I had 2 home births and they are night and day. First, my midwife check me all the time and she said, well it is time to push. Although I had no desire yet. I pushed for 3 hours and finally got my baby out. It was a horrible experience, and didn't use that midwife again.

With my next, my midwife didn't check and said to trust the feelings. I was more open to feelings there and I knew right away the time to push. 10 minutes later he was out!! My midwife was the best! The mood was different, as there was alot of praying going on this time around and a openness to what ever came my way.

I bet that since it is your second, things will be way different for the better.

[sweeetpea]

With my homebirth, My mw did not do any cervical checks.  By external signs, I was probably dilated completely at least two hours before I felt any urge to push.  My contractions also spaced out to, maybe 5-8 minutes apart for that time.  It is a "rest time" to let the body prepare for pushing and birth.  I just walked around the house and used the shower, etc.  When my body finally did start pushing, it was like a freight train, and I wound up birthing him in the bathroom doorway because he was coming then and there, no matter what!  

If you were trying to push too early, that might explain the difficulties you encountered.  Hope this time you will be able to wait until your body takes over with the "i can't not push" stage.

[lovebugmama]

Pushing too soon can definitely cause the situation you described.  Your cervix becomes swollen which prevents the baby from decending down into the vagina.  Without the baby moving lower you would not have an urge.  Some women just have to labor their babies lower until the urge kicks in and then start actively pushing.   Pushing without an urge is just wasting energy.  As long as the baby is doing fine and the heart tones are good there is no reason to force pushing. 

Some midwives manually apply pressure to the pelvic floor so mimic the urge so moms have something to work with. I'm not sure if anybody tried that with you.

Second babies often come much differently.  You will probably have a much better experience this time.

[crunchymama214]

With my 2 med-free, out of hospital births, *I* never pushed....my body did. Seriously, I was never told to push and I never tried to push. My body simply took over and pushed on it's own. So, as for the 'urge to push', I only know the 'my body is about to push' feeling, not necessarily like I feel that I need to push. I could only venture to guess that you weren't to that point yet in your previous labors. I do hope this time goes better for you and that you don't need a transfer!