What was it like when you were pushing?

jacka02 · August 2012

I got an epi at four cm, and they turned it down so i could push. At the time we didnt know Lou was going to be so big, and i would end up with a c-section. But, the nurse kept saying shes not strong enough. I looked at my H and said, "get her out of here." I didnt really say anything too crazy, i just remember feeling like my head was going to burst from pushing so hard.

vsalt31 · August 2012

OMG it hurt so bad. But, I had also never been to my birthing classes and the situation was pretty intense. Part of me was relieved when they said that they were putting me under b/c the pain was horrible.

maccalovah · August 2012

I was induced, and was handling the pitocin contractions pretty well, but the nurse ended up scaring me into getting an epi at 4 cm, because she said my doctor was about to come in and break my water, and that it was going to hurt a whole lot more after that. That's pretty much all she needed to say, so I got the epi and didn't feel much of anything after that.

It did wear off for the most part when it was time to push, so that was the most painful part for me. I had to push for 2 hours to get DD out, it was horrible. I didn't really scream or curse at anyone. I remember looking at DH and crying, saying "I can't do this!"...and when DD crowned, the nurse said "Do you want to reach down and feel her head?", I told her "NO. JUST GET HER OUT". haha

learningfromlife · August 2012

With DD1 I intended to go natural until they told me they wanted to use internal monitors to monitor her heart which meant I was stuck in bed on my back so then I got an epi and felt NOTHING. They didn't even turn it off until I started pushing so I had to go on their word it was time. I felt like I was not doing anything while I was pushing since I couldn't feel anything but I got her out in 6 or 7 pushes.

DD2 I got pitocin at 6:30, water was broken at 8:00 and I labored med free until 3:30. My nurse kept checking me in the middle of contractions so I pretty much hated her, especially when she treated me like I was being dramatic when I started asking for something to get a break from the contractions that felt like they never stopped. The last time she checked me I started hysterically sobbing and couldn't control it and told her then I wanted the epi. The epi was placed at like 3:45 and within 3 minutes I had 3 nurses in my room rolling me to both sides and then putting me on all fours because the baby's hb had dropped. My nurse then argued with another one when they said I needed to be checked again because I was recently checked. I went from 3-4 to 10 and they could see the baby within 10 minutes. I had her as soon as my midwife arrived, which was 4:02. Even though I didn't lose all the feeling in my lower half and could still feel pressure to push I never felt the actual pushing this time either and she was out in 3-4 pushes.

piggysk · August 2012

I was planning to go med free again but with pitocin the contractions were so strong and i progressed from 2cm to 8cm in a matter of an hour. i got the epi but i still felt the contractions and the pain was still really intense during pushing, but not like natural.

Mamasaurus · August 2012

I was med free, and it felt like an uncomfortable pressure. I pushed for about 2.5 hours. The last 45 minutes had some pushes that were pretty hard for me because they were so intense I couldn't breathe, and I had to work on getting into the rhythm of my contractions to catch my breath. It was more frustrating than I expected--she'd start to crown, and then her head would slip back in, and there would be no overall progress. The midwife and my doula kept telling me that it would just be one or two more pushes. Once I got into the "right" position, though, things really picked up, and I did her head in 2 pushes and the body in one push, followed by one really lazy push for the placenta.

ninjabridemom · August 2012

I had a lite epidural so I could feel everything -- it just took the edge off. The pressure was SO intense. I was very inwardly focused so didn't swear and only had to yell at Jake once for saying something. I pushed for 5 hours all together (over 4 on Marcus, almost 1 on Gabriel) -- most of that time is a blur, honestly. I remember their births and some key moments but not much else.

photonbug · August 2012

Pushing felt great! Labor not so much. I went med free and was in labor for 16 hours and pushed for 2 hours and 15 minutes. I had horrible back labor and with every contraction I had sciatic pain. I was able to be pretty active in the begining of labor. I got in the shower and bounced on the ball. I changed positions alot. I had no concept of time though. I eventually zoned out for a lot of it. I would just motion for people to come over and push on my back and rub on my hip with each contraction. I had my husband and mom there to help. I also had two midwives and the nurses. They all rotated helping me through contractions. Everyone was so awesome. I would not have been able to handle the pain without them.

In the end LO would not turn to get in position. He was sunny side up and at an angle. The OB came in and tried to suction him out twice but it didn't work. I had to have an emergency C-section because he was having decels.

I don't know how pushing would have felt if I was able to push him further out but all I felt was relief. Everyone was telling me that they could see his head and describing his hair but he just wouldn't turn.

Beener0514 · August 2012

My water broke so I went in right away. My contractions never started so they started me on pitocin. I was so happy that they gave me the epidural at 3 c.m. I hardly remember what contractions feel like! Big Smile

My epidural kicked butt and they didn't turn it down so I felt nothing while pushing. I pushed for 1.5 hours (and pooped all over the table- I remember smelling it and watching the nurse wipe my butt for me- how hot is that?) and the baby's heartrate kept dropping. The doctor looked so worried and when I asked her what was wrong, she said, "I think the baby is stuck." I told her right away that I did not want it to turn into an emergency c-section and begged her to take me to the O.R. then if she thought there was no other way to get the baby out. We rolled down to surgery and she helped me bring Emmy into the world.

dixee.deluxe · August 2012

I only pushed once with A. It was the most amazing feeling everrrrrrr.

And, I pushed for 2hrs with Edie. Her head was in the 95+ percentile at birth. So, I have something to compare it to.

SKWCM80 · August 2012

I begged for an epi at 3cm because the nurse was going to start Pitocin, and I remembered what Pit contractions felt like from dd's birth. I wasn't allowed to get an epi until I was at 4cm, and lucky for me I went from 4cm to 8 cm while the dr was working on me. I only pushed ds for ten minutes and the entire time it felt like I was taking a gigantic poop I had no control over.

MegSowers · August 2012

I got my epi at 2cm! haha I was having major back labor - couldn't sit, couldn't stand, and that was the first time I ever threw up my whole pregnancy. I got the epi at 3am, slept til 6am and woke up 6cm. (My tailbone killed from the back labor, or baby's position, or from being unable to move for hours). I was 8cm at 10am, then no change whatsoever! So, Pit at 2pm, and 10cm at 3pm. I wanted to push!!! I was in control of my epi and I think I some how had it just right! I could feel some pain, but pushing just felt so "good." My contractions slowed anywhere from 3 - 10 minutes apart, so I was pushing for 1.5 hrs. The episiotomy and stitches were painful but I had LO in my arms.

Daniellemf1228 · August 2012

I only pushed 5 times, it only took a few minutes, it was fast and intense. I had a med free birth and I started pushing on my side and they doctor ran in telling me to get on my back. I did not yell during pushing until (I am assuming) her head was pushed out. I yelled at the doctor though, when she told me to get on my back. I yelled "I CANT!" and other than some groaning the only yell was that one push for her head. Once they told me her head was out I got all excited and pushed her out in one push and reached down to take her haha. They could not give me her because her cord was too short and then I just started saying over and over "Give her to me give her to me" and reaching down.

laurack · August 2012

I had back labor due to baby starting out in the sunny side up position (according to u/s the previous day). By the time she came out she was right way up however for the most part my labor pain was mostly in my back/butt. I remember screaming - my butt, my butt is going to break! Or something embarassing to that effect

I had to be induced with pitocin after two failed cervadil applications, and being a full 2 weeks overdue. I did not have any pain medication so I felt everything. I wish I could say it was a beautiful experience but yeah,no. That sh*t is painful.

The pushing was extremely exhausting and painful, it took a long time, over three hours. However I would say the most intense pain I felt was during the transition phase. It was at this point that I was screaming for the drugs, I was in a crazed state as I could not believe this level of pain existed. This was when she checked me and said I was 8cm at which point I said ok then I can make it without the drugs. I believed her when she said it was "almost over" hahaha.

The actual pushing at first was a relief. Then I just got so tired of it all. It was frustrating because of how freakin exhausting it was, yet I felt it was not working, she would never come out. At the very end when she was crowning I remember it being the craziest sensation. The midwife said the head is out, wait for the next contraction, don't push yet... to which I said no way, I am pushing and that's that! It felt like I was being split in half, it was horrible.

THEN the weirdest feeling as she slid out, a feeling of emptiness. And the pain was gone, immediately! Just amazing.

I am hoping next time to experience what actual contractions without pitocin feel like. I don't know if I can make it epi free again, but I'm going to give it a go... The one thing that gives me hope is that usually people don't have to push nearly as long the second time...

NLS0412 · August 2012

I was passing a lot of huge blood clots, so I went to my doctor. They hooked me up to monitors there. I was having contraction, but they didn't feel very strong. She seemed to think I just had a very high pain tolerance. They sent me to the hospital from there. After getting checked in and situated, they asked if I wanted my epi yet and I said no. They came back 2 hours later and asked again. I said no again, but they insisted I get it then if I was going to get it at all. (I was still at 4 cm at this point, so that didn't make much sense to me). I HATED the feeling of the epidural. It first made me extremely goofy, almost like I was drunk, but the farther I progressed it just made me super agitated, not sure if that's normal or not. It started to wear off a bit when I was at 9 cm, so they gave me what they called a push dose. I was happy for that. I pushed for an hour, although it didn't seem nearly that long. I may try for a water birth next time. I hated being stuck in that bed and having no control over my body. It gives me anxiety thinking about that again.

AmandaR204 · August 2012

I hope this thread helps us with our obsession with POAS! I remember puking my guts out for hours even with gravol...I expected to. When I had a natural miscarriage I puked for ever it was never ending and those contractions were a nightmare...I also didn't get the reward at the end of the pain...just more pain.

They said the puking helped push him down so I guess I'm happy about that. I totally felt the ring of fire and she was a burnin'.

I love all these stories it's amazing to see how different all our experiences were.

jcsntms06 · August 2012

With my first baby, I had an epidural at 3 cm, but when it came time to push, I could feel everything, and it hurt a lot (even though she was small 4lbs 10.5oz). I didn't scream or curse.

With my Caroline, I had been dealing with contractions for days and even that night I went in, I wasn't sure if they were going to admit me, I remember asking for some pain meds, only got staydol and ambein. I was kind of out of it, in a loopy world, so when they were prep me for the birth, I keep asking for an epidural, but it was to late, Caroline was crowning, I pushed 2 times and she was out. It hurt, but not that much and now that I think about it, I'm glad I didn't have an epidural. It was not my ideal birth, but both my pregnancy were not ideal at all. But I liked that I was able to get up with an hour after having her.

Tambcat · August 2012

I had an epidural. I could feel her head descending but no pain. I kept focusing on keeping my mouth open, b/c our lamaze instructor said that your perineum was more relaxed if you pushed w/ your mouth open vs. closed. At one point, the nurse had me feel the baby's head. And then when the head was out, I looked down and saw it, which was an awesome thing.

I loved giving birth. I might try a mirror next time, but I don't know if I really want to see my vagina stretching or poop coming out. lol

eta: I only pushed for 15 - 20 minutes. They let me labor down for almost an hour before I started. I got the epi at 4 cm and bolused it at 9. Wouldn't change a thing!

BelleWithABlade · August 2012

I started having contractions in the middle of the night the day before G was born. I labored at home until about 2 pm the next day and was about 4-5 cm when I was admitted. I got the epi at at 6 cm. I was actually complete and ready to push shortly thereafter, but they had me lie in some weird positions for awhile since he was sunnyside up. I pushed for like 2 hours. Once the little guy turned, he came out in like two pushes. With the epi, I could feel the contractions, but they didn't hurt. It was a really weird sensation.

The only thing that was frustrating was feeling like nothing was happening and you are making no progress while pushing. I didn't want the mirror, but I think next time I'll ask to have it so I can see what's happening in the nether regions. I loved giving birth too, it was amazing. I caved and let my mom and sister be there too, they were quiet and just part of the experience. My sister said it was the most amazing thing she had ever been part of other then her births. It made me sad I was in school and not able to be there when my niece and nephew were born.

mumegs · August 2012

I got the epi pretty early on in labor, and my OB let it wear off before I had to push. I was on pitocin too, I just remember her going, crank up the pit! Because the contractions weren't coming fast enough. And I was like oh *** here we go. Honestly the pushing itself wasn't as bad as the contractions. The contractions felt like they were tearing my stomach apart. I just wanted to push her out so I could be done with them. It took about 30 minutes and it was the longest and most painful 30 minutes of my life. I hit a point where I thought I can't do this for much longer, she better come out soon! Luckily she did.

katieh1017 · August 2012

I had wanted to go med free but at 6cm I couldn't take it anymore, my doula hadn't arrived yet so I said to DH "eff this shiit". I had been having contractions for 24 hours at home waiting for them to be 5 min apart. I never slept during that 24 hours.

I had 3 epi's. The first was done wrong and after an hour I was still feeling everything. So they had to re-do it and that was about 7am. By 3:30 pm I started to feel everything again! The contractions were coming fast and furious as they gave me pitocin. They gave me 2 different pain meds but that didn't work either. I never cursed or screamed. I shed a few tears but I was literally BEGGING for someone to please help me. For 2 hours I felt everything and the nurse helped me breathe through the contractions. I asked her to turn off the pitocin. She didn't. I even asked for a c-section lol, they told me it didn't work that way. I was in soooo much pain. Finally they said they could re-do the epi, which would be a 3rd time but that so people's bodies have a tolerance.

So I sat up in bed after they checked me, I was at 8cm. They anesthesiologist asked the nurse if she should give it go me and she said yes. I think she was sick of my begging. When I sat up I was sooo drugged up. The meds they pumped into went all to my head and my BP dropped. I also had a fever.

Finally it's pushing time. I had the epi but I felt like I had to poop but it wouldn't come out. I pushed for 1 hr 45 mins. No cursing, I was wiped out because of all the meds and it was 40+ hrs by then. Dh just kept giving me ice between pushes and a wet washcloth on my head. I was burning up. they had me in every position, holding onto fabric and pulling, all sorts of ways. The only thing I felt was the episiotomy. That I screamed for a second.

Ok sorry so long!

Luvmy2sons · August 2012

Harper'smom:
I didn't push with my c-section labor. I pushed med free for 5.5 hours with my VBAC. It was like doing uncontrollable sit ups again and again. Mind you I pushed in a million positions in the birth center. I give the stuck in the hospital bed moms SO much credit! I couldn't have handled it on my back the whole time. The feeling was similar to puking and pooping as hard as you can at the same time.

This was me. And I was stuck on my sides because DD's HR was dropping significantly after each contraction. That's when I went for the epi, but it took him 5 sticks and 50 minutes to get in. By that time, I had pressure so I would shake uncontrollably. I really wish I had the ability to walk around with my contractions. I went 16 hours without one with my DS before they suggested I get one because I wasn't progressing. My labor with my DS was much more tolerable than with DD. I felt very out of control with my DD and I didn't like it at all. I was actually going to pass out when pushing my DD. She had shoulder dystocia and I would push with all my might and she wouldn't move. I felt myself starting to dip out and told myself, ***, if you pass out you REALLY won't get her out. So I just fought myself not to pass out! Then 2 nurses came and jumped on my belly, I pushed, and she was out. That labor was enough for me. I'm done now. LOL.

DinabethL · August 2012

My epidural was wearing off at the end too. Those contractions were painful, but I didn't scream. I just kept my eyes closed and focused on what my body was doing. I pushed for 30 minutes.

KatFCo · August 2012

I wanted to go med free, but the contractions started at just a few minutes apart, and he was facing the wrong way, so every time I got up to walk, it killed me. I got the epi anf never looked back. About 7 hours later, it was time to push.

I pushed for 2 hours, and by the end, the epidural had worn off significantly. The worst part was that LO's head was pushed up against one of the nerves in my groin, so every time the nurse lifted my leg, it hurt worse than the contractions.

lindy27 · August 2012

I had a long labor experience. I had contractions for about 40 hours about 5-7 minutes apart, and was 6cm when I got my epidural. I ended up pushing for 90 minutes, and by the last hour or so my epidural had pretty much worn off my right side, so it was pretty painful and LONG. She was sunny side up though, so I'm really just glad she came out without a C/S.

And I regret vomiting on my DH haha I should have turned the other way!

Musiclover2012 · August 2012

DS1- Awesome Epi, could not feel a single thing to be honest, not even anything while pushing, I had to trust that my body was even doing it. I pushed for 40 minutes. Bliss

DS2- Med Free Car Birth, felt every damn thing but luckily the adrenaline of "oh shiit this is happening" I think took the edge off of the pain. It's funny because the second we got into my car I was shouting for DH to drive faster so I could get the epi, little did I know I was 10 minutes from him flying out in my CRV. I never actively pushed, my body involuntarily did it for me.

Such different births huh? Recovery was easier with the car birth surprisingly. The Nurses told me that the epi makes for a tougher recovery.

schmood · August 2012

I went into the hospital at about 2:30am. I got the epi by about 8:30am. I believe that I was 3-4cm at that point. They had tried both morphine and fentanyl for my pain already and neither was doing too much for me. My contractions hurt soooo much that I was screaming in pain with each one. I had a fabulous epi, which was good because DS was not out of me until 8:30pm. I pushed for about 3 hrs, ended up with a vacuum extraction and episiotomy and 4th degree tear. At the very end, I could feel a little bit, but very glad I had the epi when I did and for as long as I did.

manning15j · August 2012

They didnt get me the epidural unitl I was already 9cm, so I barely felt anything when I was pushing, I was silent. But prior to my epidural I was screaming. Jacka$$' waited three hours to give me my epidural even though I asked for it right when I got there.

sharrison88 · August 2012

I had the most wonderful epidural! The anesthesiologist gave me a higher dosage "based on my height" - I thought 5'7" was pretty average, but thanks buddy! The epidural was magical instantly! Then, after about an hour I started feeling horrible menstrual like cramps, which is when the nurse decided I was ready to push.

The doctor wanted to turn my epidural off and let me labor down for an hour. The nurse let me pump two more shots of the epidural and then we turned it off and started pushing immediately despite doctor's orders because I felt like I had to push. I couldn't feel anything, was in a great mood laughing, and pushed Caroline out about 30 minutes later. I was up and in the shower after our breastfeeding session - about an hour and a half after I gave birth. I sincerely hope that my next delivery goes EXACTLY like this one because it was so much easier than I had pumped myself up for.

Peepp79 · August 2012

I was the same as the OP. I thought there wasn't something wrong, shouldn't I have not felt anything? I asked my nurse practioner about it and she said that it had probably started to wear off. She said "imagine that was full throttle at the end?"...no I cannot imagine. Holy crap it hurt. I only pushed for 27 minutes but it wa bad. The contractions were so bad and they wanted me to hold my own legs during it. It was crazy.

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