[Caden's Mom]

I was wondering about this the other day as I was pondering some of the ideas behind hypnobirthing. I was just wondering if other mammels push their babies out like humans do. I mean what would happen if a women let the baby sort of ease out with contractions? Do we really HAVE to push them out?<br><br>
DS was a c section and I had an epi so I wasn't sure about some of the questions. I wish I knew at the time that I could follow my instincts instead of just trusting the doctor.<br><br>
I just wonder if its less traumatic to ease the baby out. It seems like the pushing, holding breath for 10 seconds, straining deal would be traumatic for the baby or put more pressure than necessary on him or her.<br><br>
What do you think? Is it possible? Would it be better to not push?

 

[Kathryn]

Well, pushing doesn't have to be the straining, holding breath, thing anyway.<br><br>
But, to your question, no, we're not. I know at least the elephant does and I'm pretty sure almost every does, actually.

 

[amyjeans]

no way- check out elephants, sheep, goats, cows, you name it. Check out Youtube for some videos, but careful-some sickos think of it as pornographic to watch birthing.

 

[sapphire_chan]

The problem I see with your theory is that there is a medium between forced pushing and "breathing" the baby out. Instinctual pushing can start even a few weeks before any labor to help get the baby in the right position, in gentle "grunty" pushes. Then during labor the woman continues to listen to her body and pushes and moves about as needed. And then, for many, there comes a sensation of "throwing down" (like throwing up only in the other direction) and the body will basically push without direction from the mind.<br><br>
I've read a couple stories where instinct told the mother "this baby needs to come out now!" where they did just push as hard as they could and had a massive tear--and the baby had needed to come out immediately.<br><br>
So, my guess is that animals just do what feels right. If mama monkey feels the urge to push, she'll push, if mama raccoon doesn't feel an urge to push, she won't. If danger approaches they'll probably have the instinct to push as hard as possible if the baby's almost out.

 

[Sagesgirl]

Judging by what I've seen my cats do, no, we aren't the only ones. (Of course, my cat births have also included such things as turning around and yowling at the offending kitten head as it crowned, so perhaps they're not the greatest models. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">)

 

[dimibella]

I am pretty sure all mammals actively birth, besides the few weird ones that lay eggs. DD was homebirthed and no one ever told me to push, or hold my breath, nor did it seem like I was straining, my body just took over and did what it was meant to do.

 

[MommytoTwo]

No when I saw animals give birth at the vet that I used to work at, the mamas pushed..

 

[wombjuice]

There's a difference between actively pushing when your body is not leading you, and your body taking over and pushing for you. Nobody is coaching an elephant, cat, sheep, or dolphin while they're in labour...no one is telling them to push. When their bodies are completely ready to give birth, they cannot control the pushing--it just happens. Same goes for human mamas; their bodies take over and push the baby out--they can't control it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[sevenkids]

Humans are the only mammals that have a cheerleading squad yelling "PUSH! PUSH!" at them.<br><br>
But most, if not all, mammals actively push.

 

[Caden's Mom]

Thanks so much for the answers ladies. Things are going to be so different next time around.

 

[UmmIbrahim]

I think we instinctually *have* to push...I know ive only given birth once but I definetly recall my body telling my brain to push...I remember the midwife telling me to push and honestly I couldnt push when she told me, I could only push when my body did that "push/strain" feeling you get when its time to push.<br><br>
As one mama wrote...<br><br>
"I've read a couple stories where instinct told the mother "this baby needs to come out now!" where they did just push as hard as they could and had a massive tear--and the baby had needed to come out immediately."<br><br>
Actually this kinda happened with me, according to my doula (I dont remember much cept that crazy energy burst i got to push)...I pushed for almost 3 hrs and they were losing the babies heart beat and the delivery nurses were yelling at me to push the head out and I just couldnt...i was so tired, but I donno alla the sudden at the last second when the midwife was seriouslty considering having me get a c-section I just got this crazy crazy crazy intense, scary urge to just push with every fiber of my body and boom my son came out all at ounce. So I totally believe that about your body, that your body can tell when things r getting risky and you'll just get this crazy burst of energy to get the baby out.<br><br><br>
Umm Ibrahim

 

[GinaRae]

I also think physiologically with the big head and shouders, we need to push most of the babies. Some glide out on an imaginery surfboard, but most need some help.

 

[sapphire_chan]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Caden's Mom</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7968554"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Thanks so much for the answers ladies. Things are going to be so different next time around.</div>
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Yep!

 

[MoonJelly]

I think what you may be thinking of is that the difference between us and other mammals arose when we stood erect and started walking on two feet. That changed birth for us humans and made it somewhat more difficult than other mammals.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[* guest *]

I swear, if someone tells me when to push, I'll slug them. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">