If you are a mother-to-be, you are probably wondering about childbirth these days. It is normal to have many questions like "How will it be? Will it hurt? Will it end quickly?" Today we are going to talk about something that is talked about by many people, and perhaps you have heard of it too. That is the method called 'Laboring Down'. Some people also call it "delayed pushing". Let's see what it really is, what happens with it, and what are the pros and cons.
What exactly is 'Laboring Down'?
Simply put, 'Laboring Down' is when your cervix is fully dilated (about 10 centimeters), and you start the second stage of labor, but you don't start pushing for an hour or two. Think of it this way, allowing your body, your uterine contractions, and gravity to slowly bring your baby down, all the way out. This is also called "passive descent," which means the baby comes down on its own.
Typically, most mothers start pushing as soon as their cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. That's the beginning of the second stage of labor. That's when the baby starts moving down the birth canal.
However, some mothers don't feel the urge to push until an hour or two after the second stage begins. In that case, you may wait until the baby's head starts to appear (crowning) or until you feel an overwhelming urge to push. This is called 'laboring down', which is when you let your body do more of the work. Uterine contractions can work with gravity to naturally bring the baby down.
Can you 'slow down labor' with an epidural?
Yes, you can still have laboring down with an epidural. But here's the thing. If you've had a very strong epidural that numbs you, you may not feel the natural urge to push. If that happens, your doctor, nurse, or someone who supports you will need to tell you that it's time to push.
If you don't have an epidural, you will naturally feel the urge to push. Then, if you decide to 'labor down', you are simply holding on until the urge to push becomes unbearable.
But here's an important thing to note. As of 2019, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) no longer recommends laboring down for women who have an epidural. They say that even if you don't feel the urge to push naturally, you should start pushing as soon as you start the second stage of labor. This is also something you should discuss with your doctor.
How common is this 'Laboring Down' method?
Laboring Down is actually a very common method, especially among first-time mothers. It's hard to predict exactly how long labor will take or what it will be like. So, if labor is going to be long, some people think that laboring down will save energy.
Imagine you are going to climb a big mountain. If you keep going at a fast pace, you will get tired quickly, right? But if you take a little break, taking a little rest in between, you will have the energy to go the whole way. Laboring Down is a bit like that. Childbirth is a very energy-consuming process. So, some people think that by taking a little time and allowing the baby to descend, the mother can save up the energy to use when she needs to push.
What is the difference between 'Delayed Pushing' and Immediate Pushing?
'Laboring Down', or delayed pushing, refers to not giving in to the urge to push during the early second stage of labor. Or, it can be pushing very slowly and gently.
On the other hand, immediate pushing means starting to push as soon as your cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. This usually involves your doctor or nurse teaching you how to push with each contraction. This is also called "directed pushing."
What are the benefits of 'Laboring Down'?
Studies have shown that laboring down for an hour or two can prolong the second stage of labor by about an hour. However, the total time a mother has to push before the baby is born is reduced by about 20 minutes.
Some doctors believe that laboring down has the following benefits:
- It helps the mother save energy to push.
- Increases the chances of having a normal vaginal delivery .
- A cesarean section (C-section) reduces the risk of complications during delivery or childbirth.
But these are just the opinions of some doctors, and not all studies have confirmed these things.
Is 'Laboring Down' really safe? Are there any risks?
Here's the important point. Recent studies show that there is no evidence that delayed pushing has any particular advantage over immediate pushing.
In fact, some studies have shown that delayed pushing may be associated with a slight increase in the risk of complications such as:
- Chorioamnionitis : This is a bacterial infection that occurs in the sac and fluid (amniotic fluid) surrounding the baby.
- `Postpartum Hemorrhage` : This is excessive bleeding in the mother after childbirth.
- Neonatal Acidemia : This is an increase in the acidity of the blood of a newborn baby.
It is very important to be aware of these risks, because everything can have advantages and disadvantages.
So, how do I make the right decision for me?
This is the best question you can ask. The best way to decide whether laboring down is right for you is to work with your doctor, midwife, and birthing partner to develop a clear birth plan.
This decision should be made after considering many factors, such as your health condition, the nature of your pregnancy, and your wishes. Make a decision after discussing the benefits and risks of 'Laboring Down', and how it will affect your condition.
Remember, not everyone's experience is the same. What works for one person may not work for another. So it's important to listen to what others have to say, talk to your doctor, and make the best decision for yourself.
So, what do we take home from this?
Okay, so we've talked a lot about 'Laboring Down'. To summarize:
- 'Laboring Down' means allowing the baby to descend naturally after the second stage of labor has begun, without pushing for an hour or two.
- This may help the baby descend and reduce the total time the mother has to push.
- However, the latest studies suggest that this method has no particular advantage. In addition, there may be a small risk of some complications such as `(Chorioamnionitis)`, `(Postpartum Hemorrhage)`, `(Neonatal Acidemia)`.
- The ACOG organization does not currently recommend this method for those who are receiving an epidural.
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about this and discuss it with him when you create your birth plan, so that you can make the safest and best decision for both you and your baby. Don't worry, your medical team will help you. We wish you a successful birth!
` Laboring Down, Laboring Down, Childbirth, Pregnancy, Epidural, Pushing, Stages of Labor
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