Post by gibbinator on Aug 19, 2014 19:43:58 GMT -5
I never had an urge to push so I pretty much had to be reminded to push during each contraction. I was unmedicated during pushing, had been awake for 30hrs and just wanted to lie there doing nothing, wallowing in self pity. I ultimately had an episiotomy with vacuum extraction.
Post by noodleskooze on Aug 19, 2014 19:48:15 GMT -5
A combination. The nurse was coaching me, but I could feel the contractions through the epi and knew when I should be pushing... I kept saying "now, right?" I tore badly. I'm not sure how bad; he scratched me on the way out so I had to have sedated surgery afterward to be stitches (OMG tmi oww).
Post by lissaholly on Aug 19, 2014 19:51:54 GMT -5
I was coached the first time, because I progressed quickly and got my Epi right before delivering. In fact, I was still so happy from the Epi relief I thought the whole thing was funny because I felt nothing down there. I tore only first degree and got stitches. I swear to god it affected my pee stream angle and I had to learn to pee without acting like a spray hose:(
The second time I came in ready to go and had no time for an epi and had to actually hold the contractions in while they got me ready with the IV and shit. That time I did not need to be coached and I did not tear.
If I had it all over again I would go med free because the recovery was easier and the birth felt more " grounded" if that makes sense.
Post by hilwithonelary on Aug 19, 2014 19:58:13 GMT -5
I had coached pushing with DS. I pushed spontaneously with DD. I had a second degree tear both times, but I was much less annoyed during DD's birth. I cannot stand the overly peppy count to 10 along with, "Puuuuuush, push push push!"
Post by badtzmaru22 on Aug 19, 2014 21:01:51 GMT -5
With #1 I had an epi, and they were definitely telling me when to push, and counting. There were approx. 37 people in the room (teaching hospital) and I felt like they were all coaching me. I did not feel the urge to push right when they said I was at 10cm, so I waited a bit, threw up, and then felt the urge to push. I could definitely feel what was happening, but not in a really painful way. I had an oxygen mask on also, which was because of the HR dropping, but it helped me focus.
With #2 there was a lot of shouting, and I knew I had to push, and at times I knew I was pushing wrong, but I couldn't concentrate enough or catch my breath to focus. I wanted oxygen, but could not communicate this. I did not have an epidural, but not on purpose.
Both times I only pushed about 15 minutes. I tore both times. The OB with #2 said afterward he could tell where I was going to tear based on scar tissue from #1. Both kids had giant heads, and #2 was almost 10lbs. I broke all the blood vessels in my face with him.
I was happy with both experiences. I don't recommend not getting an epi, but if that's your plan, I imagine you'd be better prepared than I was, as far as breathing/focus. However, I felt AMAZING immediately after the bebe was out, and I feel like a badass now for not having pain meds.
I've had two big babies (just over 9lbs and just under 11lbs) and never had any tearing.
Both times I had no Epi and no coached pushing. I pushed when I wanted as long as I wanted. I remember sitting a couple out with my first.
With my first I was told I was 10cm and to start pushing. With the second I wasn't checked at all and my body started pushing on it's own. I finally got what laboring down was. MUCH shorter pushing time with baby 2. Looking back on birth #1 I realize technically I was ready to push but my body might not have been there yet. I pushed for 2.5 hours.
I didn't have any tearing at all either time. I really think me pushing on my own terms is to thank for that.
Post by sandyapples on Aug 19, 2014 21:22:47 GMT -5
I had an epi but could still feel contractions well. They told me to push when I felt a contraction. Basically they told me at first then I did it in my own. I think I told them when I was pushing. DD1 I pushed for an hour and had a tiny tear. With DD2 they made me stop for a sec for a small episiotomy. I only has to push twice, she was pretty much falling out.
Post by rondonalddo on Aug 19, 2014 22:53:03 GMT -5
Spontaneous, one 1st degree tear plus a tiny tear up top that wasn't even worth stitching. Med-free, pushed for 15 minutes. I actually started feeling push contractions while my blood was being drawn and had to try to not push during that process. I don't remember if my MW told me not to push then, that might have just been what I thought was the best way to handle it. The only direction she gave me was to lie on my side. Like someone said upthread, it was sort of like throwing up, just my body was going to do something, like it or not.
Coached, I guess? The nurse watched the monitor for contractions and told me when to start pushing but I think I probably could have done it on my own. My epidural didn't work very well so I felt most of it. I had a small tear.
Post by stephm0188 on Aug 19, 2014 23:01:21 GMT -5
I had an epi but it went like this- Me: I need to push. Nurse: No, you don't. You have an epidural and aren't at 10 yet. Me: I can't not push. Nurse: Oh. Oh. I need to call your doctor. Just breathe through it and don't push. You have an epidural and shouldn't feel anything. Me: I CAN FEEL IT AND I CAN'T NOT PUSH.
I tore, but it's because the kid had his hand up by his face and clawed me on the way out.
I was coached at first (epi) but they had backed my epi off and once I could really feel the contractions, I pushed on my own. Things progressed super fast at that point and my body took over and she basically shot out on her own. I tore, the dr didn't make it for the delivery (went from no progress to baby in like 10 minutes), and she had the cord wrapped twice around her neck. It was a trip.
I can't even remember. I think with adam, I was coached. I think I remember the nurses counted to 10 once so that's a yes, yes? I'm not even sure if I'm even remembering it correctly since I feel like I was on the other side of the room or up in the ceiling looking down at it all happening.
There were about 25 people in the room and they took off with him after I pushed maybe 3x. Even though he was a lil guy I still tore. Everywhere. I have no idea how some of those tears even made sense. The doc who stitched me up was working on me forever. He was like wtf! There's another one. Are they multiplying??
With erin, I definitely told my doula that I needed to take a dump RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW. welcome to the world, erin! She was also smaller, clocking in at 6lbs 2 oz but I didn't need any stitches. Which is weird since she was huge compared to adam. I think my doula had me hold off on pushing so I didn't tear. Again, the deets are a little hazy. It was 3 am and I had been in labor for 3 days at that point.
Post by chickadee77 on Aug 19, 2014 23:20:47 GMT -5
The nurse kind of coached, but it was pretty fast. As in, "Let's do a practice set to try to move the baby down. Okay, wait! Don't push! Let me call the doctor!" I tore (2nd/3rd), but it seems to have healed well and quickly.
I had an epi both times but could feel my contractions. I was happy and smiley and making jokes. Both times I knew when I was ready to push and told the nurses. It felt like intense pressure and there was no mistaking it. With my first, it was preceded by vomiting. Yuck. Awful.
Pushed through three contractions with my son and through one contraction with my daughter. Three stitches with my son and one with my daughter. My doctor and the nurses "coached" me I guess... They just counted to 10 while I was pushing. My daughter did have the cord around her neck twice and I was asked to stop pushing while they sorted this out( I didn't know what they were doing at the time... My H told me later).
My daughter came out so fast that in the maternity ward she was vomiting old blood. It freaked me out and I was running down the hall with her screaming for a nurse. Apparently, it happens often when the baby comes out very quickly.
Post by liverandonions on Aug 19, 2014 23:46:21 GMT -5
I had an epi and could feel a slight twinge in my back when I was having contractions so I would tell the nurses (who weren't paying attention) and they would count while i pushed. I started at 2 and she was born at 3:10z the best Thing I did was get the mirror. Seeing what my pushes we're doing was the inspiration I needed to get her out. I tore but not sure how badly and my recovery was really easy. I had hardly any pain after I left the hospital.
One of my top three fears about delivering this baby is a fourth (?) degree tear. I will never forget a poster from the nest, hezzer-something or other I think it was, had one and her description is branded in my brain forever. I did not know you could tear between your rectum and the vag : \
I had an epi. I am positive it wore off, because I felt every contraction and every urge to push. At one point my body just took over and I just pushed even though they were telling me to stop.
I had a 2nd degree tear, but it never bothered me past day 3.
Post by TrudyCampbell on Aug 20, 2014 10:23:37 GMT -5
The first time I pushed on my own for a long time (like 2+ hours) and then I got in the bed and did some coached pushing due to pure exhaustion. I had a 2nd degree tear. ETA no epidural
The second time there was no coaching and she was born in less than 2 pushes. I also had a 2nd degree tear. ETA epidural, but placed 8 minutes before she was born (I wouldn't have gotten it if I knew I was that close) so no time to kick in and I still felt everything.
@tambcat tulips the medical term was "internal lacerations". Annnndd now I'm rethinking the whole #2 thing!
I had this too with my 1st and I had to have a small surgery to repair it about 6 weeks after her birth. I was still bleeding a lot and it turned out it was from the internal lacerations that never healed.
I was fine with my 2nd birth though! 2nd degree tear but it felt like no big deal.
I had an epi but could feel pressure from each contraction, so I knew when to push. It was awesome. I wish I knew the anesthesiologists name so I could request him again the next time, lol. Big fan of that guy. I needed one stitch, no big deal.
So are you supposed to tear more w/ directed pushing or "mother-led" pushing?
I think most people say you are more likely to tear with directed pushing. Apparently "mother-led" pushing assumes the mother is following her body's lead. Working with your contractions makes you less likely to tear. I think.