How to push during labor depends on what your body is telling you and the guidance of your care team. Pushing helps move your baby through the birth canal during the birth stage of labor, and your team can help you respond to your cues and the situation. [1][2]
You may notice pressure or an urge to push, though what you feel and the guidance you receive can vary. For example, you might feel ready to bear down while your care team is helping you decide how to respond; you do not have to figure out the moment alone. [1][2]
Pushing is one part of birth, and it can help to know that you can ask your team to explain what is happening as you go. This overview covers what pushing means, what you might feel, ways to work with your care team, and options that may make the experience more manageable. Your needs and your team’s guidance can shape what happens in the moment. [1][2]
How your body and care team work together
Timing is individual, so follow your care team’s guidance about when to begin pushing. [1] They can help you decide when to start based on what is happening in the moment; you do not need to settle on a start time in advance. If you feel ready but are unsure whether to push, ask for a clear cue before you begin.
When a contraction comes, try a deep breath and push in a way that feels effective and manageable. [2] You might inhale deeply, then bear down in a rhythm that feels workable rather than trying to copy someone else’s technique. If a particular effort feels too forceful or hard to sustain, tell your team so they can offer a simpler cue.
You can ask your team for simple cues, encouragement, or a pause to regroup between contractions. For example, you might ask them to use one short phrase when it is time to push, or to tell you when to take a breath. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for a moment to reset and then take the next contraction one at a time.
Your preferences can guide how the team supports you, while their instructions help you respond to the situation. You can say, “Please give me one cue at a time,” or “Can we pause so I can regroup?” Clear, direct requests make it easier for your team to understand what would help you in that moment.
What pushing may feel like
Pushing may feel like a strong pressure low in your body, sometimes similar to a powerful need to have a bowel movement. [3] You might notice that sensation building and easing, or feel a strong urge to bear down; the experience is personal, so it may not match what you expected.
Some people find the pressure clear, while others may be less sure what their body is signaling. The intensity and urge to push can differ from one person to another, and pain relief can affect what you feel. [2] Even with an epidural, you may still feel pressure. [2]
For example, you might feel a distinct downward pressure but not feel a strong urge to push. Or the sensation may feel unfamiliar rather than like the bowel-movement comparison you have heard. Either way, you do not need to decide on your own what the sensation means.
Tell your care team if a sensation feels unexpected or you are unsure what to do. You can describe it in plain words, such as, “I feel pressure, but I’m not sure whether to push,” or “This feels different from what I expected.” That gives your team a chance to understand what you’re experiencing and respond with guidance for the moment.
Your experience can also shift during labor, so a change in intensity does not mean you have to figure out the next step by yourself. Keep your description simple and specific: where you feel pressure, whether it comes and goes, and what feels unclear. Your care team can use that information to help you understand what to do next.
Ways to make pushing more comfortable
Comfort during pushing can come from following a rhythm that suits you, relaxing between efforts, and finding a workable position. Ask your team whether you can push to your own urge and pace or whether a cue from them would help; listening to your body and pushing to your own rhythm are options to discuss. [2]
Between efforts, try softening your jaw and shoulders and letting your pelvic floor relax. Your team can use simple words such as “lower” or “relax” to help you coordinate that release. [4] You might ask, “Can you remind me to relax my shoulders?” or “What words should I listen for?” so the cue feels clear and useful to you.
Ask what positions are available and workable for your circumstances. You might find it helpful to try a position your team can support, then say whether it feels comfortable or whether you would like to adjust. The best option is individual, so you do not need to choose one in advance; focus on what feels manageable in the moment.
How to work with your care team
Your care team can make pushing feel clearer when you ask what they want you to do and why. If an instruction feels confusing, ask for it in plain words—for example, “What should I do when you say push?” or “Why are you asking me to wait?” You can also ask them to explain one cue at a time, so you know what to focus on in the moment.
Keep your team informed about what you notice. If you feel pressure before they expect you to push, tell your nurse or clinician rather than trying to guess what to do; pressure can be a useful cue to share with them. [2] If you need a clearer cue, say so directly: “Can you tell me when to start and what you want me to do?” That gives your team a chance to adjust how they communicate with you.
If you have an epidural, ask how to coordinate pushing with the people caring for you. You might ask, “What should I watch or listen for?” or “How will you let me know when to push?” Pressure may still be something you feel with an epidural. [2] Your team can explain how to respond to your cues and the plan for your situation; the details may be different from what you expected, so keep asking when you need clarification.
You do not have to wait until you are unsure to speak up. A quick check-in—“Is this what you mean?”—can help you and your team stay on the same page. If the cue is hard to follow, tell them what part is unclear, such as when to begin or how they want you to respond.
Common questions about pushing
Is there only one correct way to push?
No single approach fits every person; what feels workable can depend on your body’s cues and the plan you make with your care team. For example, one person may want to follow their own rhythm, while another may find a brief verbal cue easier to use. You can ask your team which approach fits your situation. [2]
What if pushing feels confusing?
Ask your team for one clear instruction at a time. If a phrase does not make sense, say so and ask them to try different words, such as a short cue about what to do with your effort. A teaching resource suggests using words such as “drop,” “lower,” or “relax” for the pelvic floor rather than “push.” [4]
Can you change how you push?
Yes. Tell your team what feels manageable, and ask what adjustments they can offer. You might ask whether you can use your own rhythm or try a different cue; your team can help decide what is workable in the moment. [2]
What if the instructions still aren’t clicking?
Tell your team plainly: “I’m not sure what you mean—can you show or explain that another way?” You can also ask them to keep the cue short and repeat it when needed. If one way of following an instruction feels difficult, let them know rather than trying to force yourself to copy it. [4]
It is also okay to say what kind of help is easiest for you to follow, such as a simple word or a calm reminder. Your team can respond to what you tell them and clarify the next step. [2]
Focus on one contraction at a time
The main thing to remember is that you do not need to arrive with a perfect pushing technique memorized. During labor, focus on one contraction at a time and use your body’s cues where possible; you can rely on your care team for guidance that fits the moment. [2]
If you are unsure what to do, ask for one simple cue, then try it and see how it feels. For example, you might ask, “Would you like me to follow the pressure I feel, or do something different?” You can also tell your team if their instruction is hard to follow, so they can clarify it. These are practical ways to get support without expecting yourself to have all the answers.
It can help to keep your attention on the next effort rather than judging how each push compares with an imagined ideal. Notice what your body is signaling, listen to the guidance offered, and speak up if you need it repeated or adjusted. Your care team is there to help you respond to what is happening in that moment. [2]
Before labor, you can let your care team know that you would like clear, simple guidance during pushing. When the time comes, take it one contraction at a time and ask for help whenever you need it.