how long is it ok to push during labor? January 29, 2007
Posted by guinever in : babies, birth, labor, pregnancy , trackbackHow long is it ok to push during labor? The answer is as long as both mother and baby are healthy, it’s alright to just keep on pushing until the baby is born. Just be patient. The second stage of labor or pushing phase can take anywhere from just a couple minutes to many hours.
From what I’ve observed, most primiparas (first time moms) take about an hour to push out their baby. But going over one or two hours is normal and acceptable. If labor seems long and the baby isn’t descending, a change of position is usually all that is needed to bring the baby down. Positions to try besides the typical hospital position of lying on back with feet in stirrups include
- squatting either on the floor or bed; a squatting bar can assist in this position
- sitting up, yet leaning back on bed, chair, or partner between contractions
- lying on side, pulling top leg back during contractions
- walking/standing
- hands and knees
- on knees, but in an upright position
- leaning over a birth ball or chair
For more information about the second stage of labor, read this comprehensive article about pushing for first time moms at Midwifery Today.
If mom is overly exhausted or her blood pressure is rising or the baby starts showing signs of distress (the baby’s heart rate is measured with a doppler or fetal monitor), then that is the time to try to shorten the pushing stage and try to get the baby out quicker. This would include pushing a lot harder for a couple contractions, trying vacuum extraction, forceps, and eventually surgery.
Again, it doesn’t matter how long it takes for pushing as long as mom and baby continue to do alright. It’s important for the laboring woman to eat if she’s hungry, drink if she’s thirsty, and change positions if she feels like it.
Comments»
Yep - I pushed for 5 hours too (not consistently, but on and off for that time) and baby and I were just fine. I’m so grateful that I wasn’t in a hospital where they would’ve forced me into an “assisted” delivery or a c-sec!
? I have a question.or 2.
When should u go to the hospital after ur contractions hav begun?
C i was under the impression that if i waited it out at home - well the better.
(so i waited fro 11am till 12am) took baths,walked etc. but when i arrived at the hospital @1am, I was only mayb 4 cm dilated-didn’t deliver till 9:00am.(I had her natural and she was my 2nd child. first 1 took 2 hours.!…)
So is it possible that perhaps i waited 2 long 2 go to the hospital and dilation reversed??? Thanku-for ur time.
i am 15 and 17 weeks pregnant and i am really scared i just need to no what my choices of labour and pain releif are ?
can anyone help me ?
I pushed for almost 4 hours and my baby ended up w/ a birth injury. She was decelerating for 3 hours and the doctor did not react quickly. When she came out she was dead and the nuchal cord was wrapped around her neck. Her diagnosis is Perinatal Asphyxia- Lack of oxygen at birth. And she has sever brian damage per the MRI. So I wouldn’t suggest anyone to push for more than an hour make sure the next thing is take place. Being under the epidural I didn’t realize I was pushing that long. Its unfortunate that she has suffered this injury. Now we are waitng as she go thru her milestones.