Can we talk about pushing? - Page 2

[wrzos]

#1 - strong urge to push, directed pushing (15 minutes), small tear - 6 lbs 12 oz
#2 - weak urge to push, attempted self-directed pushing, but my water had already broken, and I hate hate hate pushing, so on the 2nd contraction I asked everyone to count and I shot her down and out (2 contractions), No tears, not even a skidmark. 8 lbs 3 oz

[cottonwood]

I've pushed with all of mine, even my spontaneous births, but in the case of those it was an uncontrollable reflex-type action. Have you ever heard the phrase "throwing down"?

I do absolutely believe that in normal birth voluntary conscious pushing is not necessary, but that often the body does direct the mother to aid its efforts, for various reasons.

[maxmama]

I have noticed that a lot of these "no pushing" stories are with multips. Multips are different from primips, for the most part, and don't push consciously as long or as hard, if at all. Most of the babies I've accidentally caught have almost oozed out, but none of them were first babies.

IME, most unmedicated moms do want to push, and do so whether they're aware of it or not. The classic grunt of second stage is unmistakable, and really it's involuntary pushing.

I do want to clarify that not all pushing is directed or "purple pushing", but it does still count even if it's as reflexive and moderate as pushing out poo usually is.