How do you have the energy to labor/push?!

whitney1170

The way I've been feeling lateley, laboring and pushing sounds impossible! How in the world do you find the energy to be in labor and then push the kid out? Is it something that your body just naturally takes over doing, do you get a "second wind"?

Oct08b2bee

I won't lie. I pushed for 2 hours. After 1.5 hours, I was crying hysterically because I had zero energy left. The only thing that kept me going was DH, the nurses and doctor being my cheerleaders telling me I could do it and couldn't give up.

Cobra11

You're definitely exhausted, but for me I felt like I got a second wind. As soon as they told me that I could push I was geared up and ready to go! 

JaysonandKristin

Biologically speaking, your body is designed to expel a baby.  Women in comas have babies, and clearly, they're not pushing a baby out. 

MrsS2203

Maybe my experience is different because I was induced.  I labored for 12 hrs,start to finish, and I found the energy to push.  I pushed for 18 minutes.  My body actually started pushing for me and that is how I knew it was time to push.  When the doctor/nurse decided to get in the room I found myself alert and ready to meet my baby.  So I think it's a combination of your body doing what its designed to do and excitement of meeting your little one.

itsmevkb

I think your body kicks things into high gear when you go into labor.  You definitely are very excited and have some energy.  My first labor was about 27 hours and I feel as though having had an epidural helped me save up my energy for when I needed to push.  I pushed for a little under two hours and felt okay with that. 

For my other two labors, which were much quicker and without epis, the pushing was something I couldn't have stopped even if I wanted to.  The pressure was just so unbelievable and my body was contracting so I couldn't help but push.

MorgansMommy1

MrsS2203:

Maybe my experience is different because I was induced.  I labored for 12 hrs,start to finish, and I found the energy to push.  I pushed for 18 minutes.  My body actually started pushing for me and that is how I knew it was time to push.  When the doctor/nurse decided to get in the room I found myself alert and ready to meet my baby.  So I think it's a combination of your body doing what its designed to do and excitement of meeting your little one.

 

this, totally... 

Tigerlilym15

I think everyone's experience is different, but you definitely find the energy. I had a completely natural labor and delivery. Labor was intense, but your body allows you to rest some in between contractions. For me pushing was BY FAR the hardest part. When I started pushing I wasn't being very effective. My midwife basically said that I needed to decide that I was going to do it and just do it. I didn't have a strong urge to push like a lot of people describe, but your body knows what to do and if you set your mind to it you will get through it! I could have easily ended up with a c-section because the pushing took so long, but I kept telling myself that this was the hardest work I would ever do, but I could do it - and I did!

sapphirewolfkdv

I think there is some adrenaline right when you first find out it's time to push, but I won't lie...it's exhausting. My LO kept sliding back in between contractions, so I didn't make a lot of progress with the pushing, and by the time I was done I was just staring at the ceiling praying like crazy that the next set of pushes would be the last because I had no energy left. DH, the doctor, and the nurses were all so encouraging though and that really helped.

Ryan&Kristin062009

For me I went into labor on a Wed evening, was in and out of labor for DAYS (they kept stopping it as I was only 33wks) and then once they finally decided not to stop labor that was from midnight early Sun night/Mon morning and I didn't have him til Tuesday at 3pm and I think it was around 2+ hours of pushing.

 I think your adrenaline kicks in for you because you have no choice but to push. The pain takes over too, you're not thinking about how long you've been in labor or anything. 

dakota01

I think it is just a natural thing that occurs. I labored for 14 hours than pushed for 3. It was extremely hard, but it a different type of exhaustion. I think adrenaline really helps you along, and as pp said your body is made to expel the baby. Its not an urge you can fight.

catahoulatte

sapphirewolfkdv:

I think there is some adrenaline right when you first find out it's time to push, but I won't lie...it's exhausting. My LO kept sliding back in between contractions, so I didn't make a lot of progress with the pushing, and by the time I was done I was just staring at the ceiling praying like crazy that the next set of pushes would be the last because I had no energy left. DH, the doctor, and the nurses were all so encouraging though and that really helped.

Pretty much this. I pushed for an hour and a half and hate to say, it sucked. But since I didn't have any pain meds, it actually was the only relief-your body is telling you to push and get the baby out, and you just do it. I can't imagine the women that had long labors though, whew. 

And it does really help a ton when you have a great set of nurses and your DH cheering you on!

Stardust54

I pushed for 4.5 hours and I gave it my all every time. You have to keep hoping that the next push will be your LAST. The reward of finally seeing my baby after all that time was motivation enough for me. You can do it!