Otherwise known as the 2nd stage of labour. This is the part of the labour that will culminate in the long awaited birth of your baby. When your midwife tells you that you can now push when your body tells you to, there are a few things that you need to try remember, to make the task a little easier. First and foremost, relax the muscles in your bottom and legs. If those muscles are tight your baby will have a lot of resistance on its way down the birth canal, so the pushing will take a lot longer to achieve the desired effect.
Technique is also important.
When you have a contraction, take a big breath and hold it. Tuck your chin on your chest and push into your bottom, the same way that you would when having your bowels open on the toilet. This may make you feel that you are going to the toilet, but most of the time, it is the pressure of the baby's head that is giving you that sensation. Aim to push like this three times for each contraction, but try not to make sounds as you are wasting breath for pushing. Eventually, the pain will change, and you will start feeling a burning sensation down below, and a feeling of tightness.