When to push?

Oops!!
Ps, thats what contractions are for aren't they to get baby delivered. I know my uterus was delivering my baby wether I co-operated or not!!! lol. Don't really see the need for hold push 10sec thing, unless women can't feel contractions due to epidural etc.

Hmm it's interesting and a tricky one. You could say a woman will push regardless if she needs to *however* I had a complete OP labour with my son and had the urge to push from 3cm. From about 6cm dilated my body actually was pushing at the height of a contraction as I tried to blow through it (I had quite a few VE's as I kept saying I WAS pushing and couldn't help it, utterly convinced each time I had to be 10cm).

So while there will be situations where a woman has dilated 6cm in 15 minutes and truly is ready to push, there will always be someone feeling pushy at 6cm. I'm not sure if VE's are necessary though, I suppose the midwife needs to assess the situation.

If it's a primip and possible OP baby it's probably worth a VE to make sure the lady is at full dilation, but with multip and OA baby just let her go with it (of course that is vast generalisation but ykwim)..

__________________

Although i think womens instincts are usually right, in my opinion, waiting til that baby is as far down 'on its own' as such, seems to avoid a tear.
Someone will no doubt tell me im wrong ...

__________________
Student Midwife, year one and counting.

Incognito I am not a student yet,, but I think you are possibly right I felt ready to push with my first but wasnt iykwim and ended up with a tear. My second I just knew and I was right but it had happened so fast her cord ruptured.

With regards to involuntary pushing, surely it ridiculous to tell a mum not to push she isnt willing do it, and I know from experience (with Honey I was crying no I dont want to push) that no matter how much you dont want to, your body will do it any way. I personally (now but not then) think this is human biology at its best, taking over and doing what has to be done.