Let the Woman Push! She knows how to do it!
Baby Giraffes fall from a height of 5-6 ft when they are born as the mom knows that it needs to give birth standing up in order for the baby to be able to take it’s first breath. Mama G knows!
“Just let me push until 1pm! Just 30 more minutes, please!” Please back me up! Please support me for 30 more minutes!” My client’s plea to the OB was raw and heartbreaking. This woman had grit!
I was exhausted and completely heartbroken for my client, who had been working so hard for a VBAC. I had been laboring with my client (let’s call her Suzy) for 24 hours. She had been in labor for 32, pushing for 3 with little movement to show for it. The OB had told her that this baby would not be born vaginally and that she would not support Suzy if she continued to push. The epidural had made it difficult for her to feel baby and to effectively push, however Suzy still had energy and stamina. Everyone else felt done, and yet Suzy persisted. She wanted just a little more time. As her doula I fully supported that decision, and it was my job to be there with her! There was a period of time when it was just me and her, pushing together.
Something happened in that thin space when new life is making his way down. I felt a shift in the atmosphere, and it was a holy moment. I pray for my clients every time. I have a special “doula prayer” I pray on my way to births. But this was different. This was an “on your knees” moment that I will never forget. It was like I could physically feel the Holy Spirit’s presence and knew that baby boy would descend as Suzy grunted him down. She made up a lunge pushing position (she’s amazing!) and just did what mama’s do best; feel their babies and bring them home. And guess what guys! Even against all odds, when she felt all the pressure from his head, she knew how she wanted to do it!
We don’t tell wild animals like giraffes how to give birth. “Excuse me Mama G, but I don’t allow you to push standing up because I can’t guarantee your baby’s safety.” The whole idea is laughable! If giraffes can instinctively push their humungous leggy babies out standing up, why can’t we use our instincts to give birth?
Laboring down and using gravity helped Suzy tremendously! She didn’t have good support from the medical world to turn down the epidural or push in any position but her back. She wanted to push on hands and knees or her side, but the OB would not support that. Suzy was not defeated by stats or an OB who withdrew her support. She got her VBAC because she knew where her baby was and how to get him here. The medical staff doesn’t know, but gosh darn it, these mamas do! Support and applaud mamas to feel their babies and know where they are so they can use their God given intuition to push how they deem best. Let moms give birth, and they will!
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/pushing-leave-it-to-the-experts