20 OMazing Tips for Pushing
The first stage of labor can feel like a lot of waiting. Pushing gives mamas something to do. Often this stage is exciting, exhausting, and sometimes scary.
There are staff in the room. Listen to the nurses, midwives or doctors who will coach you. It’s normal to feel unsure on the how. You will be guided.
Breathing is essential in pushing! Your breath affects your baby’s heart beat which normally fluctuates in pushing.
If you hold your breath, your baby’s heart rate can go down. Reminder again to breathe.
You’ll push with your contractions. If you have an epidural, a nurse will tell you when since you will not feel the contractions. If you are unmedicated, you push with your sensation. Sometimes you’ll be asked not to push in order to give your baby a break or to allow your perineum to stretch.
Take a breath after each contraction. It helps the baby’s heart beat to go back up and will help you relax.
Deep breaths are your goal. Diaphragmatic breathing, helps push your baby down.
Use gravity in pushing even with an epidural. Sitting up at a 45 angle is helpful. Nurses can suggest positions.
Laying on your side is a pushing position available for both medicated and unmedicated mamas.
If you are not making progress pushing. you can move around and change pushing positions every 2-3 contractions (20-30 min).
Make noise! Sounding out pushes is effective. You can’t do it wrong.
Use your whole body to push, especially your core. Try not to hold your breath in your face. That’s called “Purple Pushing” and is both not effective and can be uncomfortable if you pop a blood vessel.
Rest in between contractions. Visualization is a helpful tool. Practice visualization prior to birth by choosing a a special place where you feel calm, relaxed and safe. Use your five senses to help bring your mind to your special place.
Stay hydrated. Ask your partner or doula (prior to birth) to offer you water in between each contraction. Ice chips are a nice alternative.
Keep your chapstick handy. Lips become unusually dry during pushing.
You might have an opportunity to use a mirror to see your baby’s head or feel in between your legs and touch the baby’s head. If this is motivating, ask your provider if possible. If not, no worries! You’ll see and touch the baby soon enough!
Practice bearing down and breathing while pooping during pregnancy. It’s not the same but will be the closest activity to pushing.
The pushing position of closed knee pushing (feet apart and knees touch) can be effective if baby is challenged with coming under the pubic bone.
Ask someone in at the birth to take photos. Record the sacred moment and delete if you chose.
You have everything you need inside of you to birth your baby. You are not be alone. You can not push out your baby wrong.
I root for you! Reach out with questions