when in labor, is pushing something you have to learn in prenatal classes, or does it just come naturally?

Question

As you can tell, I haven't had any children yet. But I always believed that it just comes natural, yet my sister-in-law said that her cousin had to have a c-section because she didn't know how to push. I thought that was a ludicrous statement, I thought the real reason was because the baby was so large that it couldn't pass. If I'm wrong, I'm open to learn.

by the way, I'm not pregnant, we were just having a conversation about her cousin and her ignorant statement just annoyed the crap out of me because she refused to believe me when I told her pushing comes natural.

Answer 1

your body naturally does the pushing, but if you have had an epidural it can make you less sensitive to those urges.

With my first, I had a C-section, because when it came time to push, I was not pushing effectively ... I had a late epidural so I couldn't feel too much down there.

With the other 4 I delivered naturally with no pain medication at all, so I knew exactly when it was time to push without being told. If you have some training beforehand, in knowing how, it makes your pushing more effective so that you don't have to be doing it as long.

And by the way, my 1st child whom I delivered by C-section was one of my smallest (7 lbs. 8 oz.) .... so it wasn't just an issue of the size of the baby. My largest, who was delivered naturally, was over 8 lbs.

Answer 2

I never had prenatal classes and I have had three babies all natural, the pushing came natural, believe me when the pain comes you want that child out and now. The only reason you may not be able to push would be because of the epidural if you opt to have one. that is where they numb you from the waist down. C-sections are usually performed when the baby is too big, or in distress. I think you will be fine if and when you decide to have a baby.

Answer 3

I've given birth 3 times and pushing didn't come naturally to me the first time. However, the nurses should help you through it. Though I had no "urge" to push, the nurses hold your hands and tell you to take a deep breath and push from your gut. Not knowing how to push should never be a reason for a c-section. If that were the case, every first time mom would have one.

Answer 4

There are any number of reasons that women have to have a "C - section, but from my experience, I would definitely say pushing comes naturally! I was 16 (and married) when I had my daughter. No Le Mas classes, no prenatal classes, no parenting classes; no classes of any kind. Go with your gut feeling (pardon the pun). Good luck and may your God bless with a healthy and happy baby.

Answer 5

I never took a class. Pushing comes natural. When you are getting ready to push, they explain it to you in like 10 seconds. There is a method to it, but nothing you cant learn in the moment.

Answer 6

it comes naturally you don't even need to go to prenatal classes but it can help, the midwife tells you when its the right time to push and that was a ludicrous statement how can you not know how to push the midwives guide you thru every thing you will be absolutely fine

Answer 7

Well when in labour to be honest as you will obviously no Every woman is different, so just because you'r sister-in-laws cousin couldn't push and had to have a c-section does not mean anything.
When in labour almost every woman just suddenly feels the urge to push,and as for the learning of the pushing technices in anti-natal classes, to be totally honest those classes say that they are designed to help to prepare you and get you to kind of understand the sorts of thoings that you can expect whilst in labour but well to be totally hgonest with you I found them a total waste of both me and my partners time, because i felt that they just used to get us to practise things like breathing and how your partner can help you and getting ready etc, but they really really did NOT help me at all, I am not saying that they will not help you because like i said before every body is different so the classes might actually help you as a friend of mine said she doesnt know how she would of got through it without the anti-natal classes.
Why don't you get some up to date books and have a little read through some of them, or even better if you could find some other mother's either going through what you are or have been what you are going through then have a chat with them,even if it is just to put your mind at ease,do you know what i mean? But like i said at the very beginning of this well essay (ha ha ha) Almost all women will suddenly feel this sudden almighty urge just to push, and well it goes from there reall,
I really do hope that you find your answer to your question and i also hope that all goes terrifficaly well for you with the rest of your pregnant time and with the birth of your baby and also all the best for What is to become one of the VERY BEST moments of your life!!! ( Holding your child in your arms for the very first time. I have to tell you that there is NOTHING in the world that can compare with that feeling that you have got coming to you when you hold him/her and look into her/his eye's for the first time). I wish you all the luck in the world.
CONGRATULATIONS xxxxxxxxx

Answer 8

Pushing is just something that will come to you.. and the doctors will make sure to tell you when to do it. When I was in labor.. I didn't know what the hell was going on.. until the moment came and I TOLD the doctor that I had to push.. You'll know.. don't worry about it.

Answer 9

Your sister-in-law is indeed an azz.

My wife and I had our first baby on June 29th of this year.

Number of classes we attended: ZERO.

She knew how to push when the time came....C-sections are NOT caused by not knowing how to push....I'd like to slap your sister-in-law for suggesting such a thing.

Answer 10

Pushing comes naturally. In some people, they have to be encouraged not to push at the early phases of delivery.