How do I push my baby out?

Reposting one of my favourites! . How do I push out a baby?! I get asked this question all the time. For some women their bodies take control and the urge to push is over powering. For others, that urge may not be there or not as strong (particularly if you have an epidural) Imagine when you vomit uncontrollably, your stomach muscles just automatically contract to make you heave. It's a similar thing that happens when you are fully dilated and the baby's head has descended low enough in your pelvis. . Even if the urge to push is there and overwhelming, it can be easy to push ineffectively, making the pushing stage prolonged. This can happen if you dont engage the correct muscles when you are pushing. You need to relax the pelvic floor and engage your abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis) as though you were having a bowel movement. I have looked after women who were afraid of opening their bowels on the delivery bed so they held back from engaging the right muscles and ended up pushing in their chest! . It's good to try and focus throughout this stage, transitioning into the pushing stage can be real intense but once you are there the contractions tend to slow down a little to give your body chance to recover between pushes. Putting your chin down on you chest can help you push deeper into your bottom and also keeps you from screaming which wastes valuable energy as well as giving you a sore throat! . Throughout a contraction, you may find that you are able to push 2 or 3 times depening on the length. I always think it's better to do it this way rather than holding your breath and almost passing out trying to do one long push for 45 seconds. Remember relaxed pelvic floor. If you are lifting your pelvis up when you are pushing you are not relaxed. You should be using your rectus abdominis muscles to push down towards the bed/floor regardless of what position you are in. . . . . . #calmbirth #birthpartner #birthprep #childbirth #midwifery #midwife #hypnosis #meditation #yogachallenge #prenatal #action #activebirth #positiveaffirmations #postnatalhealth #positivebirth #mumsinbusiness #wahm #bwib #supportsmallbusiness #pregnancy #prenataleducation #health #onlinec