The Pushy Feeling

[nkochrn]

I have been told that feeling like you have to push is not what you would expect and I feel this way with my own experience. I had a few contractions with that pushy feeling before I realized that was what it was.

I find it hard to describe to my patients what the pushy feeling is like, I was wondering if any one has found a way to accurately describe the feeling?

[romantic, BSN, RN]

I didn't have an epidural and, therefore, the most difficult part for me was not to push (I was told not to push because the cervix was not fully dilated) and when finally I could push -- what a wonderful feeling it was! I would compare it to the feeling when you have a strong urge to defecate but are not allowed by circumstances -- you are in the middle of the speech or in a public place :) and then, what a relief...

I think that "defecation through lady parts" would be an appropriate description for this process.

[jrring1019]

I tell my patients with epidurals to let me know when they get pressure that comes every couple minutes. If they already have a pressure feeling, I tell them it will increase and you will notice it coming and going. That is what I felt with my kids...comfortable and then all of a sudden, every couple minutes I would feel a pressure.

[prmenrs, RN]

I knew a Mom who was trying to NOT push for some reason (this is a friend), she told me, "Even my HAIR was pushing!".