If you never pushed what would happen?

[suzi2]

I didn't have the urge to push with either of mine, even when they were crowning. But I pushed like mad as I thought that's what I was meant to do.

But if I hadn't pushed? I assume that nature would have got them out anyway? Or that reflex would have kicked in eventually?

Daft question I know, never having another but I've always wondered!

[Maidamess]

They would have gorn back up...

[belgo]

Some women 'breathe' the baby out. I had the urge to push, but still had to concentrate on how to push. THe relief of pushing was incredible.

I suppose in some circumstances the baby could get stuck.

[CarGirl]

I think your body would push anyway, women in comas have delivered naturally I believe.

[CarGirl]

I think your body would push anyway, women in comas have delivered naturally I believe.

[QuintessentiallyAnEmptyCave]

I pushed like mad with my first, had no effect.

I did not push at all with my second, and he was out like a shot.

So, in my experience, if you push, nothing happens. If you dont, baby comes out.

I did not write any Childbirth books, though.... maybe I should have.

[PuppyMonkey]

Had an epidural with dd1 so obviously didn't have any feeling at all and hence no urge to push. I just strained as if I was having a big poo (as instructed by midwife) and she came out!

[Flight]

Fascinating, Cargirl
I would have liked to be in a coma. My whole body was pushing, downwards from the waist down, and upwards from the waist up, like I was being sick/having my stomach thrown into my mouth.
I was aware of having no control over it whatsoever - I think by the last contraction I realised I was allowed to 'join in' or go with it, push harder than I already was unconsciously - that helped me relax and feel more in control.

He would have been born whether I wanted him to or not though, iyswim.

[Nemoandthefishes]

OMGI could never not push...although idea of being pg with a 4yr old doesnt appeal

[JingleyJen]

bit like other ladies the pushing of the contractions was doing it, I couldn't have stopped it if the Jesus himself had asked me to.

[sweetkitty]

Don't think I could not have pushed it's a completely mad feeling your body does it and you have no control over it, going with it helps as you are doing something with the pain instead of passively enduring it IYSWIM. Also mentally once you get to the pushing stage you know the hell will soon be over!

I agree the coached pushing on the US programmes drives me mad, all 10 relatives in the room, 3 nurses and a doctor shouting1-2-3-4-5-6-6-7-8-9-10 PUSH at you

[Flight]

In fact it is so powerful that the thought of being strapped to a bed on my back while it was happening is enough to make my blood run cold. It would be like torture not to be able to at least move/be free - it was bad enough being at liberty to move but not being able to escape the pain/feeling no matter what you did.

Suzi, I am quite envious!!!

[expatinscotland]

i never had the urge to push, either.

i only pushed with DD2 because they threated to do an episiotomy, and after having a forceps delivery with DD1, i didn't want one of those.

[StealthPolarBear]

I didn't feel any urge to push, just did it with contractions when I was told to. I had no idea how to push either, originally I tried ladylike pushes until the midwife told me it was just like having a poo...

[MarkStretch]

During my delivery I pushed for an hour and a half before they decided dd was well and truely stuck and they were going to do a C-section.

At that point they told me to 'stop pushing'.

It was impossible to stop, my body had completely taken over and was doing it all without me.

In fact I remember screeching 'I CAN'T BLOODY STOP' to a timid little student midwife.

[suzi2]

Don't be envious flight. I pushed like mad for 2 hours with DS before he came out - he did keep going back up Maidamess lol. Still never had the urge and it felt like a lot of hard work. Decided for DD to wait until i had the urge, but once waters were gone and she dropped down the MW said I was ready to go. Couldn't bear the idea of waiting until nature took over so pushed like mad again. Only 6 mins that time though. I had the 'knack' from having DS lol.

[lizandlulu]

i didnt have the urge to push either and waited till the midwife told me to push. i have never talked to anyone else who was like that!
i have wondered what would happed too. i think i missed the time to push in one contraction, as i just couldnt tell when to do it and when not to.

[Flight]

This is really interesting.

Markstretch, what happened next - did you have the section or would you have had to stay still for them to do it - I mean, I can't imagine having any sort of self control while all that was going on.

[middymee]

I you didn't push the baby would probably appear anyway. Quick physiology lesson..... contractions are the muscle fibres of the uterus contracting (becoming shorter) then as the contraction wanes the fibres relax. However, with each contraction, the fibres never return to their pre-contraction length meaning the uterus gets gradually smaller and smaller. Thus baby is pushed out anyhoo!!!!

[StealthPolarBear]

but would it happen before they intervened? Or would they decide it was a slow labour?

[middymee]

They would probably interevene first cause!!

[middymee]

They would probably interevene first!!

[StealthPolarBear]

well if I ever have no 2 I will make sure I do non ladylike pushes straight away!

[Peachy]

Body does push anyway, am expecting no 4 and have neither had a cs or pushed in my life! Doula is aware she will have to tell me what to do like a first timer if pushing is needed

[Peachy]

(and I was that unaware of what was happening that I was asking for an epidural after he was out as I ahd no idea LOL- and it didnt take long either, just a few minutes for the entire second stage)