Instinctive pushing
Panting
Instinctive pushing. Being able to 'instinctively push' or pushing and breathing according to what each contraction demands, is the most ideal way to be able to push your baby out. If you are finding it difficult to push or you have an epidural in place then you may need some guidance from your caregiver to establish a rhythm. Sustained, directed or 'coached' pushing with every contraction regardless of whether you have the urge to push or not can lead to little progress, exhaustion of the woman and reducing the oxygen supply to the baby, particularly if it is done over a long period of time.
To use instinctive pushing:
Listen to your body. Push when you feel the urge, breathe if you don't. Sometimes breathing through a contraction happens if the contraction is mild and not bringing your baby down (therefore not giving you any pressure sensations). This can happen at the odd time or sometimes every second contraction. Follow your body's lead. If your caregiver directs you to push try using this technique for few contractions to get a rhythm but then push on your own if you can. You are the best judge of what to do.
If this is not your first baby or the birth is happening very quickly, breathing through your contractions may be all that is needed as your uterine contractions have enough force to work on their own.
Panting. As the baby's head crowns, the perineum is stretched to the maximum and the baby's head is being released from underneath the pubic bone. At this point your caregiver may ask you to 'pant', 'puff' or 'breathe'. This may be difficult if all you feel like doing is pushing, but it is aimed at helping your baby to ease out gently with only the force of the contraction and not your combined effort of pushing. Your partner or support person may be able to pant with you or whisper it into your ear 'huh, huh, huh, huh' to help you focus on this.