Do I *have* to actually push, can’t I just concentrate on screaming?

**Trillian** · April 3rd, 2011, 12:54 PM

Yep, it will do it all for you. If you have a really strong urge to push, then you don't need to make it any faster or more efficient by pushing yourself. If anything, you risk bubs being born too quickly. When I had DD1, they told me not to push and to breathe her out and while it was one of the hardest things I have ever done (because the urge to push was so strong that you can't help but feel like you want to push kwim?) it showed me that my body could get her out on its own. if I had of pushed as well, then she would have come way to fast -as it was it was only 18minutes for her to be born without me pushing at all.

**Epacris** · April 3rd, 2011, 01:12 PM

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah they said that too, don’t push just pant, and I was like “umm I’m not, I’m just hanging on to the edge of the bed screaming here ok?”.

**hannanat** · April 3rd, 2011, 01:18 PM

When my fourth child was born, I was standing next to the bed making a kind of groany noise. The MW asked me if I was pushing or just groaning and I wailed that I didn't know. It turned out I was pushing

**Fleur** · April 3rd, 2011, 01:22 PM

Ha. I had the opposite - 'push, push!' while I screamed I AM!!!!!! Didnt' think I could push any harder if I tried.
Epacris, I think you go (to a certain extent) with what your body tells you. If you want to hang there & scream, do it

screaming has always worked well for me.

ETA - I should add, I was being a bit tongue in cheek. I can see the benefits in directing some of that screaming energy into pushing, like Keiki said, and I realise there are times when it's best not to push - you can't always just do what you feel. But I just hate the whole feeling of being directed, instead of encouraged or coached, at that time. Working with what you feel would be so much nicer, if you can, I think.

***LittleMissSummer*** · April 3rd, 2011, 01:52 PM

I was completely the opposite. I didn't scream at all when i was pushing i focused all my energy and thoughts on pushing out my baby, i just wanted to meet her!!

Though i did hear many women screaming until the moment their babies came out. But DP said i just groaned and panted when i was pushing (i had no idea what i was doing as i was so focused on the pushing)

**Astrolady** · April 3rd, 2011, 02:09 PM

hahaha. Lachlan watched his birth video the other day and he said "mum why are you screaming" They were telling me to push cause he had to be born in a hurry.

**Snacks** · April 3rd, 2011, 02:13 PM

TBH I was happy just hanging on and screaming

If that was effective, go with it

Is there anything about 2nd stage of your last births that you wanted to change? Are you worried about being rude? Are you wanting things to go faster or slower?
If not, then just roll with it. It's a third baby and will therefore probably just slip out while you are having a cup of tea. PMSL! Of course I'm joking, but I think the mw's will likely just tell you to do whatever the heck you want (within reason, LOL. No hair-pulling or name-calling ok? Keep it moderately clean please, Rach) because your body is pretty darn good at this now.

**~Lashes~** · April 3rd, 2011, 02:28 PM

if screaming worked for you, and you were comfy with it, go for it!!
i remember trying to push thinking it would happen faster with my first 3, only to be told off and not to push till they said, pfft whatever, ill push when i feel the need to, ok!!