Image credit: NetDoctor
You’re almost there, mummy! You’ve experienced the contractions and your doctor tells you that your cervical dilation is complete. It’s time to help your baby through the birth canal by pushing!
It generally takes about 30mins to an hour to delivery a baby (faster if it’s your second or subsequent child), but it can also take hours!
Here are some pushing tips to prevent exhaustion:
Push as if you’re passing motion
Relax your body and legs and push as if you’re having the biggest crap of your life. Put all your concentration and focus into your lower stomach when you push. Don’t worry about crapping or peeing while you’re at it. You’ll probably given an fluid injected into your rectum to clear your bowels before delivery.
Tuck your chin into your chest
This action will help you to focus your pushes to where they need to be. It might also help to look down below your belly button so you remember where your pushes should go to.
Give it your best shot
The more efficiently you push, the more energy you will give into each push – and the quicker your baby will make it’s way out.
Stay focused!
Stay in control of what you’re doing and try to avoid frantic pushing. Don’t push with your upper body or strain your face, that’s definitely not going to help! Try picturing your baby's head emerging - mind over matter!
Stop pushing when instructed
Your gynae will give you the cue to push. He might even suggest you to stop pushing for awhile so you can regain some strength or to keep baby’s head from popping out too fast.
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