If you are a mother-to-be, these days you may be thinking, There's a lot to talk about when it comes to childbirth , isn't there? Different methods, different opinions... You've probably heard the term 'laboring down' before. But you may not be sure what it means. Don't worry, today we'll talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand. This will be very important to you, especially when you're thinking about your birth plan.
What is Laboring Down? Simply put...
Simply put, 'labor down' is when you wait a while after your cervix has fully dilated, which is about 10 centimeters, before suddenly starting to push. Most mothers usually start pushing when their cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. This is what we call the second stage of labor. This is when your baby starts to come out of the birth canal.
However, some mothers may not feel the urge to push for an hour or two after the second stage begins. Think about it, your body may not be fully ready for it yet. So, you can wait until the baby's head starts to appear (crowning), or until you have an uncontrollable urge to push hard (uncontrollable urge) . When you do this 'labor down', we call it 'delayed pushing' or 'passive descent'. What happens is that you let your body do more of the work. The uterine contractions, that is, the dilation, together with gravity, naturally bring the baby down the birth canal. Think about it, it's like you're helping your body to come down without having to exert much effort. Do you understand? It's like conserving your energy and allowing your body to go through its natural processes.
Can you induce labor while having an epidural?
Yes, even a mother who has an epidural can have a ' labor down '. However, there is a small thing here. If you have had a strong epidural, which is very painful, you may not feel the natural urge to push because your body is numb. In such cases, your doctor or birth partner should be the one to tell you when to start pushing. They will check the baby's position and your condition and guide you.
However, if you don't have an epidural, you will naturally feel the urge to push. Then, if you decide to 'induce labor', you are simply holding on to that feeling until it becomes too much to control.
But, it's important to mention this. As of 2019, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that this 'labor down' method is not recommended for those who are getting an epidural. They say that it's best to start pushing as soon as the second stage begins, even if you don't feel a natural urge to push. So, because of these different opinions, it's important to talk to your doctor about this.
How common is laboring down?
'Labor down' is actually a fairly common method , especially among first-time mothers. The reason for this is that it's hard for a first-time mother to predict exactly how long labor will take or how hard it will be. Sometimes labor can be long. In such cases, some believe that 'labor down' can help conserve energy . Because instead of pushing all the time, the mother can feel less tired by giving her body a break and waiting for the baby to descend naturally.
What is the difference between Delayed Pushing and Immediate Pushing?
Now you're probably wondering what the biggest difference is between these two methods.
- Delayed Pushing: This is the 'labor down' we've been talking about so far. It means resisting the urge to push, or pushing very slowly and gently, during the early part of the second stage of labor.
- Immediate Pushing: This involves starting to push as soon as your cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. This is often done as directed pushing . This means that your doctor or nurse will instruct you on how to push, when to push, and how long to push with each contraction.
Simply put, in one case we give more space to the body's natural rhythm, in the other case we start actively pushing early with medical advice.
What happens when you do Laboring Down? Is it good? Is it bad?
Okay, now let's see what the effects of 'laboring down' are. Studies have found a number of things about this.
Some studies show that slowing down labor by an hour or two can increase the length of the second stage of labor by about an hour. However, it has also been found that the total time a mother has to actively push before the baby is born is reduced by about 20 minutes. This means that even though the second stage of labor may be a little longer, you may have less time to push.
Some doctors and health workers believe that 'inducing labor' also has the following benefits:
- It helps you conserve the energy you need to push , because you get a break in between instead of pushing all the time.
- Increases the chances of a natural birth ( vaginal delivery ).
- It reduces the risk of having a cesarean section (C-section) , as well as the risk of some complications that may occur during childbirth.
These are what some see as the advantages of the 'laboring down' method.
So, is it safe to say Laboring Down?
Now you may be wondering, 'Is this really safe?' This is a very important question. In fact, the latest research shows that there is no clear evidence that delayed pushing is any better than immediate pushing.
In fact, some studies have shown that delaying and pushing can slightly increase the risk of complications like:
- Chorioamnionitis: This is a bacterial infection that occurs in the amniotic sac and the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
- Postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding after the birth of a baby. This can be serious.
- Neonatal acidemia: This is a condition where the acidity of a newborn's blood increases slightly. This can affect the baby's health.
But, this doesn't mean that this happens to everyone, right? These are just small increases found in some studies. Also, not all studies have found these results. That's why it's important to talk to a doctor and decide what's best for your situation.
How do I decide if Laboring Down is right for me?
Okay, so how do you decide whether or not the 'laboring down' method is right for you? This is not a decision you should make alone.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: This is the most important thing. Your doctor will be able to give you the best advice based on many factors, including how your pregnancy went, whether you have any other health problems, and how your baby is doing.
- Talk to your birthing partner and midwife: they are also your biggest supporters on this journey. Get their input.
- Make a clear birth plan: Make a clear plan about what you want and what your wishes are during the birth. This 'labor down' can also be mentioned in that plan.
- Learn how the pros and cons of this method affect your situation: Not everyone is the same. So, make a decision based on your own understanding of the pros and cons of this method.
Don't worry, your medical team will help you with all of this.
So, what is the message we should remember from this story?
'Laboring Down' means not actively pushing for an hour or two after your cervix is fully dilated. Some believe that this can help the baby naturally move down the birth canal and can reduce the amount of time you actually have to push.
However, the latest studies suggest that this method may slightly increase some health risks for you and your baby. Therefore, this method cannot be said to be equally good for everyone.
The most important thing is to discuss your birth plan with your doctor, consider your health, the nature of your pregnancy, and decide what works best for you. Remember, every mother and every birth is different. Wishing you a happy birth!
` Labor Down, Childbirth, Late Pushing, Pregnancy, Epidural, Labor Pains, Having a Baby
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