Oh I bet directed pushing would take longer- who in their right mind thinks they can tell you when to push? You feel it in your body- someone else can't judge that precisely.
Both labours I was "coached" to push harder, but not when (well, with the exception of a teeny final push to get my second baby's foot out). First labour it felt like ages of "push harder, harder, harder" and itsucked. That was to avoid transfer and vacuum due to running out of hospital allowed pushing time. Second labour it was just on the final push as head was out and shoulders hadn't budged so it was to check he wasnt stuck. I tore both times and most likely as a result of the coached "harder" pushing both times too.
