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

[Feijoa Mum]

With DD I didnt push at all! In fact I was so busy concentrating on my moaning and contractions that I didnt even feel her come out!
In hindsight it was great but in saying that I think my giving her a helping hand would have sped the process up a bit.

[Catherine]

my first (water birth) the 'erge to push' was overwhelming, and my body just did it (no conciousness on my part), I concisously didn't add to my bodies natural push...i didn't want to rush and tear.
My second (on my knees on a bed), I wasn't conciously pushing...and it turned out I needed too. Two very different births. Both wonderful in their own way.

You may find hanging on and screaming works for you again, you may find you need (or just do) something else. You do as you need to do...

xo

[onthefly]

What about singing?

[Roryrory]

With DS1 I endured directed pushing. With DS2 I was told if I didn't push I'd "never have this baby". With DD I didn't push at all - she was just "there". I would much rather not push and just let my body "expel" the baby. Muuuuuuch more comfortable!!

[Epacris]

Hehehe... thanks everyone. My lovely MW this time is very hands-off everything so I’m sure I’ll just get in the zone and be confident a baby will come out when it’s ready.

I will have to remember those butter menthols for the after-birth pain though.... in my throat!

[Snacks]

I certainly had that pain! I remember apologising to the midwife at Phoebe's birth because my throat was so sore - I said, "Goodness, I must've been loud!" LOL! She was very nice to me though and said I wasn't. My throat told me otherwise