"How will I know when to push?" A question I've been asked and had in my inbox on a…

"How will I know when to push?" A question I've been asked and had in my inbox on a couple of occasions. When the first stage of labour is coming to an end - the longest part which sees contractions getting your cervix from 0-10cm dilated, the head will descend down further and you will start to feel pressure in your bottom. You might even notice that the contractions slow down to give your body a chance to rest inbetween pushes. Most women will feel an overwhelming urge to push and will find that their bodies will just do it, involuntary. If a baby isn't in an optimal position ie back to back or occipito posterior, this urge to push may come before you are even fully dilated due to the way the baby is laying in your pelvis. If this is the case then you will be encouraged not to push as it could make the cervix swollen. If you have an epidural, chances are you won't feel the urge to push at all and will need a midwife or doctor to guide you. They will be able to feel when a contraction is coming simply by palpating your abdomen. . . . . . . . . . #calmbirth #birthpartner #birthprep #childbirth #midwifery #midwife #hypnosis #meditation #yogachallenge #prenatal #action #activebirth #positiveaffirmations #postnatalhealth #positivebirth #mumsinbusiness #wahm #bwib #mumtobe #pregnancy #prenataleducation #health #onlinecourse #baby #newborn