It may take the woman a while to adjust and shift from the breathing pattern she was using in 1
st stage of the labour, to the bearing down grunting, groaning and pushing of the 2nd stage of labour. Many women feel uncertain at this time, and wonder if they are doing it 'right'.
The groaning and grunting urges could begin with 1 - 2 pushes per contraction, then possibly increase to 2 - 4 sounds with every contraction. They can be a combination of mild, short pushes, or strong, long pushes. In some contractions you may not feel like pushing at all or only giving one push at the 'peak' or most intense point of the contraction.
Some women are unaware that they have started to grunt and groan, as they fully focus on the sensations their body is giving them. Listen to your body, follow its cues. It is usually right. If you feel you need information or direction, ask your caregiver to guide you.
Alternatively you can try:
'Pushing from the chest'
Breathing through
Vocalising, singing or shouting
Muscle relaxation
'Pushing from the chest'. This is a term used by some women to describe a type of breath holding to push. As the contraction begins, you take a breath in, and if you have the urge to push, bear down similar to the action you would use to open the bowels. This may involve holding your breath for short periods. The actual bearing down could last 5-6 seconds. When you feel ready, take another breath in and repeat the bearing down. You may be able to do 3 - 4 pushes with every contraction. Guide yourself (don't have others directing you to do this) or you will end up holding your breath for longer periods than necessary. This may exhaust you and distress your baby.
Breathing through. Some women find that the active pushing doesn't feel right for them, especially if their contractions are strong and seem to be doing all the work for them. You could try 'breathing through' in this case, which would be similar to how you were dealing with the 1