“What to Know:

• Research shows that routine directed pushing, breath holding, and limiting pushing during labor is not beneficial, and that prolonged breath holding may reduce fetal oxygenation.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not directing laboring women to hold their breath or consciously sustain pushing.
• The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) recommends that a laboring woman’s body direct any pushing.
• Directed pushing may help you if you’ve had an epidural and don’t feel the urge to push.”

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