Can anyone give tips on coping with the Crowning stage?

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

I bloody hate it.

Choose to have an elective c section like I did with dc 2.

:)

No crowning then!

(I'm being a bit daft but seriously I loved my c section after a very long and difficult first labour with dc 1).

Yes to gas and air it makes a huge difference. If you have time left start doing perineal massage too

I somehow didn't feel the crowning at all despite having been without gas and air and out of the pool for an hour by then. DD had her hand by her head and I got a second degree tear. I think I was just so focused on getting through it I didn't notice if that makes sense. I certainly wasn't being brave, just lucky. So it might be ok

"Zatopek shoulder dystocia is my worst nightmare. How long did it take to get dc out?"

Well the alarms went off and 5 people rushed into the room. I was told to get out of the pool "now". This is quite hard to do when you have a head between your legs.

Luckily the stepping over the side of the pool unlodged DD and as I was lifted onto the bed she whooshed out. No need for any manoevres! Thank goodness

Did this for first time last week, with DS (DD was ventouse delivery.) Concur with general screaming, swearing and gas and air approach.

Ooh, zatopek that's exactly what happened to me too. Only I was at home. Midwife probably still has nightmares about it!

Try to relax and keep your jaw and mouth loose (if your mouth and other muscles are tense, you automatically tighten up down below which is not what you want to happen when crowning!). For me, I thought of it like a long run- you get uncomfortable toward the end and then it's all over and you feel great about your achievement!

nightlark"Ooh, zatopek that's exactly what happened to me too. Only I was at home. Midwife probably still has nightmares about it! "

Yes it's meant to be a MW's worst nightmare.

I could so well have been at home too but because my first HB had failed to progress and I had to transfer I decided I ought to go to Midwife Led Unit (attached to hospital) next time.

I'm glad everything worked out ok for you too!

Mw poured cold water on my bits for crowning and I have never felt relief like it in my life. I think it was water, actually I don't care what it was it was amazing!

I screamed and swore and thought lets get this over with. I should have thought I can't wait for cuddles with my newborn but my main aim was to just get it done. I gave birth with no pain relief as hated gas and air and no time for anything else. However will try for the same next time!

I just kept shouting 'it really fucking hurts' over and over.

Yeap, screaming is the way to go- dh told me after dc1 that I'd reached decibels which by rights should have shattered the windows.
Tbh it's a good job crowning doesn't last long because that was the worst part by a mile for me. Stage 1 hurt, but actually pushing the baby out- big ouch. Am envious of those who had cold water poured on their bits at the crucial moment, I wonder why that isn't standard as it must help

Hmmm, 'what's that, what's that, what's that' said in a shrill and panicked voice was my response.

Rather embarrassingly the midwife replied 'your baby's head' and looked a bit concerned that it appeared to be news to me that I was about to have a baby.

It is possible to breathe out the baby and avoid extreme pain and tearing with crowning. A lot of women are directed to push by their midwife and the vulva does not get a chance to stretch.

I suggest natal hypnotheraphy/ hypnobirthing to help with the crowning stage. Just allow the body to decide when to push rather than actively pushing. Given a chance the uterus will act like a piston and push the baby out when ready. It also helps to pick your position carefully to avoid tearing.

Supported knealing (my favourite) is good as it allows the pelvis plenty of room to expand outwards. Depending on how upright/ horizontal you are will control the descent of the baby. (Ie. knealing upwards will make the baby come faster, sticking your bottom in the air will slow the baby coming out.)

Some women like lying on their side or over a birthing ball. Its best to avoid being completely on your back as the coxylx bone will get in the way of the baby coming out.

I found the worse part was transition. It was scary because there are so many strange sensations that you aren't used to.

Oh god I shouldn't have read this thread. It has brought it back. Dd - my second - had a fucking MASSIVE head (they brought me back in for extra scans when pregnant with her as worried although all fine). God the ring, the ring

I screamed.

really - I'm sorry but I do find it annoying when people say there is no need for crowning to be painful. That is women's experience and to suggest that of they had done hypnoborthong or been in a different position it would have been better is patronising to me. Also how do you prove this theory? You can't because you can not have the SAME birth in a different way.

Sorry to rant but I found the crowning alwful (very active home births) and there was NO way I was going to just breath my babies out they had to be pushed out by me otherwise i think I would still be in labour now.

Sorry to hijack thread...to answer you question OP...
Scream, puff on g&a, swear, scream puff on g&a, scream, swear, puff on G&a, for a bit of variety swear at your DP/Mw, puff on G&a, etc, etc....

I told my MWs that they really did not understand how painful it was and I was NOT pushing. I got a 'yes dear' reply. They knew that at some point I would realise that to get it over with I would have to push.

I will add - I did the breathing and going slowly but it still fricking hurt (I had no pain relief for first and second I used g&a to help control my breathing. I get hypno birthing but it still hurt).

I honestly don't remember that bit - as I'm now 26 weeks pg with DC2 maybe I'm having convenient amnesia?

Gas & air & kneeling on a mat on the floor, leaning on a birthing ball was what I was doing at the time, if that helps you at all?

Wait for a contraction and little push, little push, little push, little push until head is out. I did this with both my births and found it great because it gave me something to think about (controlling the push) and I didn't tear at all - although that may have been luck. Good luck x x

Ha ha Citizen - I am 16 weeks with DC4 and wondering if I also have convenient amnesia as I cannot recall crowning at all

The only thing I do recall with DC3 was thinking "thank fuck for that" once his head was out (5 mins 2nd stage) and the midwife bellowing "you are not done, we have to get this shoulder out NOW!" Panicked me into action and he slid out very quickly!

I'm wishing I hadn't read this thread....had the world's most perfect epidural the last time around and this time I'm going for a home birth....I'm clearly not at all prepared for what crowning might feel like....

I'm with ReallyTired. You can imrpove the sensation by being in control. It is better for this if you have no drugs in your system, but with your caregivers backing off, and your confidence in your own body you can instinctively move and breath in a way that reduces the discomfort.

But that really does mean hands off and no direction, as well as your being with-it enough to do whatever you need to do.

First time, they sloshed on some local anaesthetic as they were going to do an episiotomy.

Second time, I still didn't feel any crowning, or the tear. No local, just gas and air that time.

Don't push, just relax and your body will take over.

Once its on its way you can't stop it coming but by relaxing it will come quicker and easier and the whole experience will be better for you and baby.

The whole midwife yelling push push thing really hacks me off! Its really unnecessary and causes tension, fear and then pain.

Try to relax and let your body do the pushing for you (I think it is called the "expulsion reflex") to give downstairs time to expand. Have also heard that regular perineal massage in the weeks before before giving birth sometimes helps.