HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

Second Stage of Labor Pushing is a natural response as your baby’s head moves through the birth canal. You’ll want to keep your pelvic floor muscles relaxed and respond to the natural urge to push. Your instinct will be to push for about 5 to 7 seconds at a time, about 3 to 4 times during a contraction. Following the natural urge to push can help you feel less tired, prevent perineal trauma, and delay

your active pushing time. See page 58-59 for positions.

LENGTH OF TIME

FREQUENCY OF CONTRACTIONS

Pushing

45-90 seconds 2-5 minutes

This stage can last from one contraction to 3 hours (average)

Contractions may slow down to every 2 to 5 minutes and last 45 to 90 seconds

YOUR EMOTIONS/REACTIONS

PHYSICAL CHANGES

• Natural urge to bear down with contractions is like having a bowel movement • May see or feel bulging of the perineum and rectum along with bloody show • May fall asleep between contractions • May make noises or grunt between contractions; feeling a lot of pressure • May have natural rest period before next urge to push, use it to rest and relax • If you don’t have a strong urge to push, changing positions or squatting may help

• Find strength and energy; there is a “light at the end of the tunnel” • May have trouble knowing how to push at first • May find pushing is a relief, now working with the contractions • May occasionally belch, pass gas or stool • May have the shakes • May feel a burning, stretching sensation as baby moves down the birth canal • This may be the hardest physical work you will ever do

What to Expect

56 Your Guide to Labor and Birth