Re: [ozmidwifery] 2nd Stage of Labour

[Maternity Ward Mareeba Hospital]

Tania, It is handy to distinguish between a slight urge to push and an overwhelming desire to do so. If a woman can breathe through the contractions she is either not quite ready or possibly she is fully dilated and her body is calmly and quietly without wasting too much energy bringing the baby down to birth. Sounds like something like that may have happened with the woman you witnessed. Cheers Judy >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 27/10/2004 12:11:55 pm >>> Hi all! I'm a BMid student at UniSA and about to move into the 'independent' phase of assisting women with birth. I have a question about 2nd stage, which I'm hoping is not too ridiculous! If you are with a woman who says she wants/needs to push, but you are not certain about dilatation as no VE has been performed (either because it's part of your practice, maternal request .....) what do you do? I recently worked with midwife who performed a VE and determined dilatation to be at about 6cm. Within about 15-30 mins the woman (a multi) expressed a need to push. The midwife encouraged her to breathe through that urge and not to push 'just yet'.  This went on for about 20 minutes until finally we were able to see some HOV, then it was 'go for it'. So, I guess what I'm really asking is - do you allow women to go with their bodies and what they are feeling (which would be my instinct, rightly or wrongly who knows!)  or wait for external signs that pushing 'ok'? Cheers Tania -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. *********************************************************************************** This email, including any attachments sent with it, is confidential and for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). This confidentiality is not waived or lost, if you receive it and you are not the intended recipient(s), or if it is transmitted/received in error. Any unauthorised use, alteration, disclosure, distribution or review of this email is prohibited. It may be subject to a statutory duty of confidentiality if it relates to health service matters. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or if you have received this email in error, you are asked to immediately notify the sender by telephone or by return email. You should also delete this email and destroy any hard copies produced. ***********************************************************************************