To push, or not to push?

[MrsMerryHenry]

With DC no 1 I reached a stage where he was in distress and was told I had to push him out. Result: a great, big, lovely tear. Mmmmm. Just what I've always wanted.

I'm preg now and am planning a gentle HB but want to know - are you meant to push if you're labouring from a standing/ squatting position? Do you have to push, or does your body do it for you if you 'allow' it?

And where does the breath control come into the picture?

You are right. They told my DH that the baby was distressed but neither that, nor the abdomen jumping was written in my notes. I asked to see them about 2 hours afterwards, but all the MW did was give me the address of the internal records department and tell me to phone them to get a form and they would expect £50.

I went for a debrief about a year later with the head of depart who denied everything I told her, saying that I must have imagined the SHO jumping on me, or was delerious from the pethidene and mistook it for some rubbing to get the placenta out.

My notes suspiciously say: called Registrar, called resistrat again, called registrar again, SHO appears, baby out!

Sure, - the baby thought 'oh no, SHO is here, better come out then'

I was in a mw led unit coz the labour ward was full, so there were no instruments 'to hand', so I guess the jumping was to save the SHO having to go upstairs to get one!?

BTW, My DH was very involved and also was shocked to see the SHO winding me!

I had an emergency section then two VBACs.

Both times I couldn't have not pushed, just as when I panicked that DD was going to suffocate as her head only was out, I couldn't push. It really did come naturally. The urge is natural and couldn't fight it. I just breathed normally.

Both times I gave birth on my knees. Perfect position imo/e.