Wow, what a brilliant article. I wish I had've read it before I gave birth!
I felt the urge to push about 4 hours before reaching second stage. I couldn't control it, and it wasn't with every contraction. Fortunately, my SIL was there to tell me that it was ok, the baby was moving down and just go with my feelings but don't force it.
Then, in second stage, I honestly did feel like my baby was stuck! It took about 1.5 hours of pushing to get her out and in that time I kept thinking, they're going to need to cut me open! Had I have heard this beautiful analogy:
This shaping of the baby's skull must be done with the same gentleness and care as that taken by Michelangelo applying plaster and shaping a statue. This shaping work often takes place over time in the midpelvis and is erroneously interpreted as "lack of descent," "arrest" or "failure to progress" by those who do not appreciate art. I tell mothers at this time, "It's normal to feel like the baby is stuck. The baby's head is elongating and getting shaped a little more with each sensation. It will suddenly feel like it has come down." This is exactly what happens.
I'm sure I would've felt more relaxed during this stage (I'm sure I still would've been in a fair bit of pain and desperate to see my baby, but not thinking about c-sections at least!).
Thanks for sharing this one, Julie