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

[hannanat]

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]

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*]

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]

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]

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~]

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!!