Rethinking the Pushing Stage

It’s extremely common for pushing stages to be managed, with laboring people reclining on their backs and being told to grab behind their knees and pull them open towards their ears, while tucking their chins, and holding their breath for a count of 10. Is this really the best way? Does it support physiology? And what effect does it have on the baby, and on the perineum that’s receiving the brunt of that exertion? The fabulous Whapio is here to tell us more. Check it out.

 

Powered by RedCircle

Listen directly through our website player, or however you usually listen to podcasts.

 

What we talked about:

  • The missing stage between 10 centimeters and pushing (plus, how physiology will set you free)
  • Managed pushing vs. instinctual physiological pushing
  • Interior crowning of the head on the cervix
  • Allowing time for the internal rotation of baby’s head
  • What this looks like from the outside: “The Quietude”
  • How pushing early creates (unhelpful) friction
  • The importance of taking that rest
  • Pushing from a place of inner alignment (i.e. let your body guide you)
  • Following the British model, with two stages for pushing (latent and active)
  • The importance of (baby’s) head extension before pushing
  • Looking at those who can’t push, and still “ooze” their babies out
  • Grinding = increase in fetal distress
  • How will you know if it’s time?
  • What immediate pushing can do to your pelvic floor
  • How are contractions like waves in the ocean?
  • What if you get checked and there’s a “cervical lip” that gets “pushed out of the way” and then you’re told to push?
  • What about this idea that you need to be on your back to get baby’s head “under the pubic bone”?
  • What if care providers insist on managing your pushing stage?

 

Related resources*:

 

Other episodes with Whapio:

 

Related Birthful episodes:

 

 


 

whapio

Courtesy of Whapio

About Whapio

Whapio has been an Independent Midwife for the past 30 years. In 2001, she founded The Matrona, where she hosts an online holistic midwifery program, holistic doula programs, and postpartum doula programs to designed to educate birth caregivers, and provide a balance of the academic and intuitive aspects of birth. The Matrona advocates the Return of Birth to the Family and espouses soul-level connections between caregiver and mother and an understanding of altered states of consciousness relevant to childbirth.

Whapio has written and shared ‘The Holistic Stages of Birth‘ with families and caregivers in order to reframe the process of labor in language that best describes the journey of birth. You can read it on her website: thematrona.com (and you are welcome to share it with others!)

The Matrona is also a non-profit organization designed to bring authentic information about birth to marginally resourced women who can then return to their communities and care for mothers and families as Doulas. To that end, each year they offer numerous scholarships and free-of-charge Holistic Doula programs to the larger community.

Whapio also teaches homeopathy and conflict resolution as part of Matrona classes and is an elder in her community.

Find out more at thematrona.com or follow the conversation on Facebook.

Get Your FREE Postpartum Plan!

Sign up to get access to my NEW Postpartum Prep. Plan to help you prepare for life with a newborn! You'll also get updates from me from time to time.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

This post may contain affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Want more newborn help? Help preparing for birth? 

Schedule a free call to see how we can work together!