What options are available for style of pushing?
• Directed or Purple Pushing Directed pushing is the most difficult and tiring for the mother. It involves being told to push while someone counts (usually to 10), then being told to take a breath and push again. Using directed pushing will require pushing through the entire contraction, regardless of desire or urge to push. This style of pushing can be helpful it there is concern for your baby’s health because directed pushing does decrease the amount of time spent in second stage labor. However directed pushing does increase the chance of a tear, increases the mother’s fatigue and can decrease oxygen levels for both mother and baby. • Spontaneous or Mother Directed Pushing Spontaneous pushing refers to the pushing efforts that a mother makes on her own as she feels the urge from her body. Using this style of pushing is generally easier on the mother and reduces the risk of tearing. Spontaneous pushing takes longer to get the baby out than directed pushing, however many women feel tha
