How long did you push mama? Anyone need to push this long?
@thelabormama
Did you know, mama, that your pushing stage (this is the 2nd stage of labor) can last for 3 or 4 hours (and sometimes even longer) - and that this is okay on the road to birth?
Pregnant, postpartum, or thinking about baby? Join meĀ
@thelabormama for daily education + support!
The technical definitions of āprolongedā pushing are:
> 3 hours for first time mamas WITH an epidural
> 2 hours for first time mamas without an epidural
> 2 hours for repeat mamas WITH an epidural
> 1 hour for repeat mamas without an epidural
Feels like forever, right? But there is actually evidence and research that suggests guidelines that allow for MORE time to push - up to another hour or so. And this knowledge is really important as we continue to try and decrease the cesarean rate!
āIf the maternal and fetal conditions permitā¦longer durations may be appropriate on an individualized basis (e.g., with the use of epidural analgesia or with fetal malposition) as long as progress is being documented.ā doi:Ā 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.026
It can be work to get your baby to fit through your pelvis. Nothing is wrong- itās just getting a puzzle piece to fit - and that can take some maneuvering sometimes. Maybe theyāre a little crooked. Maybe theyāre OP. Thereās a lot of little things that can make this take time - but bits of progress are made over time with each contraction and each pushing effort - and we have to give you that time!
ā¢ā¢ā¢ā¢ā¢