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Pushing techniques during labor: issues and controversies
1Department of Nursing, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
The lack of support for spontaneous bearing down versus directed pushing efforts, varying opinions on the determination of readiness for pushing, and the prevailing use of prolonged breath holding associated with pushing during labor are aspects of second-stage labor management that continue to be areas of contention among physicians and nurses. A discussion of current practice outcomes surrounding these controversies from the AWHONN Second Stage Labor Research Utilization Project conducted in 1994-1995 is presented in view of the available research literature. In addition, recommendations for future nursing research are identified.
The lack of support for spontaneous bearing down versus directed pushing efforts, varying opinions on the determination of readiness for pushing, and the prevailing use of prolonged breath holding associated with pushing during labor are aspects of second-stage labor management that continue to be areas of contention among physicians and nurses. A discussion of current practice outcomes surrounding these controversies from the AWHONN Second Stage Labor Research Utilization Project conducted in 1994-1995 is presented in view of the available research literature. In addition, recommendations for future nursing research are identified.