Overwhelming Urge: This is the uncontrollable urge to push. It really takes every ounce you have not to push with the contractions. A gravity neutral position may help decrease this urge if the birth is happening quickly.
So-so Urge: Mom may have the desire to push with every other contraction or only at the peak of the contraction. It may be that this is simply early second stage and the baby hasn't hit all the nerves to signal the overwhelming urge.
No Urge: As with the so-so urge, positioning and time are the best bets if this become a problem. It also might help to switch to directed bearing down.
Ways to Push
Spontaneous Bearing Down: This simply means that mom pushes as she feels the desire to do so. The proponents of this method claim it's less stressful to mom and baby and can make for a shorter second stage. Generally the instinct moms have is to hold their breathe for shorter periods of time and to relax other areas of their bodies.
Directed Bearing Down: This helps the woman who cannot feel her body push more effectively. You simply begin each contraction with a deep breath, blow it out, inhale again and hold the breath, using it to curl over your body and push down, while someone (partner, nurse, doula) counts to ten. You quickly release your breath, inhale again and repeat until the contraction is over.
Laboring Down: This method is gaining popularity with nurses and staff particularly for women who have anesthesia. The mother does no active pushing until the head can be seen. This is less tiring and better, particularly when mom can't feel to push.
