My true labour was very short. I was examined at 2pm and was 2-3cm, 50% effaced. DD was born at 6.20pm. I already felt like i wanted to push at 2pm and the midwife said she was a bit posterior and that was why, and not to push. She went off back to the hospital (homebirth) and when she came back (with the other midwife) i was desperate to push and roaring to avoid it. She told me not to push until i had no choice.

I never got to that stage. Don't get me wrong, the urge to push was immense, far bigger than me, and it was only by force of will that i avoided it (i'm strong willed), but i always have a choice. So i did push once, when i could feel DD's ears with my fingers, and she shot out, ears to toes, and left me with a little tear. So in fact it'd have been better if i hadn't pushed at all, but then after 2.5 hours of really really wanting to, i had to try it once

Because i never got pain all over my bump, only dilation pain at my cervix, and because it was my first baby and i'd not been effaced when they checked me, they didn't believe i was in established labour yet and were pretty shocked to see the head when they went to do my 2nd VE. I'm the only woman i know who had a normal vaginal birth for #1 and DIDN'T push.

Looking back i can see i was actually in transition already by about 2.45pm, and her head came down into the birth canal at about 3.15pm (i pooped a bit then). So if i'd pushed she might have been born a couple of hours earlier. The midwife would possibly have been there to catch.

Next time i'll just bloody push when i feel like it, and catch bubs myself if the midwife doesn't make it.

Bx