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What Are the Benefits of Physiological Pushing?

Physiologically pushing your child out your vaginal opening, compared to having a Cesarean section, or C-section, provides you and your baby with emotional as well as physical benefits. Not only do you hold and bond with your child sooner, but your body recovers faster from natural childbirth than from surgery.

  1. Muscle Contraction

    • When your body is ready to deliver the baby, the uterus naturally begins to contract, slowly forcing the baby out of the uterus. You will feel sharp pains in your stomach that happen closer together as the baby becomes ready to leave the body. The contractions help you push once the baby is at the vaginal opening and ready to come out completely. As soon as the baby exits your body, the contractions stop.

    Pressure

    • Pushing forces the fluid out of the baby's lungs in a way that doesn't normally happen during a surgical C-section. The baby has been receiving its oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord, hence the lungs are full of uterine liquid, not air. When the baby is born, the pressure from pushing squeezes that liquid from the lungs, allowing the baby to breathe naturally. The doctors must facilitate this for the baby during a C-section.

    Faster Recovery

    • The body naturally recovers after pushing during childbirth. Once the placenta is delivered, the body returns to its natural functions before carrying the child. Refrain from strenuous activities directly after giving birth naturally. You are allowed to get up and do daily activities, such as showering, making food and taking short walks. This is possible even within the day you gave birth, although you might feel tired from labor and pushing for long periods of time.

    Immediate Bonding

    • Naturally pushing your child allows you to bond with your infant immediately after delivery. Once the umbilical cord is cut, the doctor places the infant in your arms for you to hold. When you have a C-section, they take the baby away while they finish the procedure. You will be able to see your baby as soon as it is taken from your belly, but you cannot hold your baby until after surgery is complete and you are in recovery.

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