Don't push? New info for athletic women preparing to give birth

Ge

Genevieve

Hi all, I just learned from a dear friend who had four babies that pushing during labor may cause traumatic injury to the pelvic floor if you are athletic. She suffers from urinary incontinence. Apparently when she went in, the doctor or therapist said her pelvic floor was weak like she'd suffered a serious traumatic injury. But nope, longterm fitness addict and very athletic woman. Apparently if you are already strong, pushing can seriously damage those muscles. Athletic women just can let their bodies push baby out. Comment if you have heard this before. I'd never learned so thought I'd share!

180 views • 1 upvote • 32 comments

COMMENT (32)

Fr

Posted at
It’s not just athletic women. Your body forces the baby out anyways lol but anyone can get pelvic floor problems.

La

Posted at
I mean, you have to push in labor 🤣🤣 and anyone’s pelvic floor can be injured

La

Lariana • Nov 12, 2018
I’ve never heard of not having to push! Thanks for the information, I’m about to research it all night 😂😂

Bo

Boots 🖤 • Nov 12, 2018
Exactly! It’s a natural event that will take place (unless there is some reason for it not to of course like baby is stuck) but what bothers me the most is hearing nurses tell you “don’t push” “it’s not time yet” or even going as fast as pushing babies back up inside because “the dr isn’t here yet”. It’s so dangerous and the issues it can cause

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
So interesting. I didnt feel any need to push for baby #1. Couldnt have if I tried. It was all automatic like my body was in control.

El

Posted at
You don’t have to be athletic to take advantage of the fetal ejection reflex.

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
Is that what it's called? So interesting that some people feel they have to push and others don't.

𝓂

Posted at
I’ve never heard of not pushing during labour

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
(Push during my labor dor first kid, that is)

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
I didn't.

ca

Posted at
Thanks for sharing. I know that it’s not ideal to have very strong muscles in that area, particularly abs (I’m talking very strong) as you’re more likely to get problems such as an separation. Thats one of the reasons my doctor told me to really cut back on working out abs specifically while pregnant. The ideal for best chances of not being left with any major injuries is fit and strong but not super strong. It’s also true that you almost don’t need to push regardless of fitness level. Your body will push the baby out itself. A lot of people also need to push less than they do if they used coaches pushing as your body really tells you when to push a lot of the time as you just get a natural urge too. It’s quite interesting. x

ca

ca • Nov 12, 2018
Me too! I’m just going to push when I feel the need with a little help from my midwife checking it all looks ok. It seems that medical opinion is moving away from coached pushing now. In my country in Europe it hasn’t really been done for a number of years. It makes me feel slightly less scared lol :) x

ca

ca • Nov 12, 2018
Yes very true. I think it’s just a sensation though or the body’s way of getting your to help get the baby out. If you did nothing it would probably take longer and is maybe not the best idea but it would eventually come out x

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
That makes sense to me. But some women experience an urge to need to actively push or they feel the baby won't come out.

An

Posted at
I’m not athletic at all! Like I spent most of this pregnancy on the couch.. I’ve never heard of any of this but a week ago, when I had my daughter. I barely pushed. I “pushed” once and she was out.. but she started coming before I even started pushing.. they were telling me to stop and I was like I’m not doing anything lmfao

An

Anon • Nov 12, 2018
And I told them no I was ready because I wanted to grab her myself anyways. So I just did my thing lol

An

Anon • Nov 12, 2018
Haha thank you!!

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
Just realized I didnt say congratulations! A week ago! So new!!!

an

Posted at
Your body is natural designed to push a baby out, that's what contractions are for. If you don't push your body will get the baby out on its own regardless with or without your added help. Pushing is just to help it go a little bit faster.

Sy

Posted at
I read a study that said women who don’t push during labor have a higher chance of postpartum complications, and their babies have more problems after birth as well.

Je

Posted at
If I wouldn't have pushed my daughter wouldn't have came out 😂

Je

Je • Nov 12, 2018
I was allowed to while pregnant An I was pretty much on bed rest but I have always been pretty active. I set routine of what I did but I always did some thing. I've always been pretty fit .. yeah if I wouldn't have push she would have went into distress and potentially died! I didn't suffer from any pelvic floor issues with her!

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
Did you do a lot of yoga, pilates or other athletic stuff before or during pregnancy?

₩☪

Posted at
Idk bow true it is, But I had a athletic friend in school and was active in sports etc. And she end up getting pregnant and eventually had a schedule csection due to her not wanting to damage her pelvic floor.

Ge

Genevieve • Nov 12, 2018
Huh. Id imagine a c section would be harder to heal from