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A Healthy Delivery: Delayed pushing can reduce complications

925 views · Published 25 May 2016 · 2:59 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2016 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A new study by a team of local labor and delivery experts showed a simple change in having a baby could give mom lower risk of complications in the future.

The change could reduce everything from pain after childbirth for mom to other long term complications. The study was released by a team of labor and delivery nurses at the Mercy Health Fairfield Hospital Family Birthing Center and it was really about letting baby take charge.

Little Baby Charlie was kinda sleepy, his mother Elizabeth Beverly said, "He arrived very early yesterday, 34 days early; total surprise."

Charlie's mom and her husband, Chris, made a mad dash to the hospital overnight. She had a quick delivery due to some complications. But the amazing thing about her experience was that it was just hers and researchers are looking to make birthing a very individualized experience. To do that they are looking at one very specific thing that could make a big difference long term in women's health, vaginal tears.

Vaginal tears happen in the second stage of labor, Lori Trammel said, "What we are trying to learn is what efforts we can put forth as nurses that would help reduce the amount of vaginal tears, the third and fourth degree vaginal tears specifically is what we are looking at."

Lori Trammel said traditionally the tears occur when mom starts to push early on in the stage of delivery. Tears can lead to everything from pain to long term bladder and bowel problems.

Based on a study the team just completed they've discovered, "You can give a mother up to two hours of delayed pushing."

When women do the baby descends to a more ideal location for delivery, which triggers a reflex for pushing. If mom waits for the reflex it can reduce tears and future complications significantly.

Stefanie Miller said when health officials shorten the time mom is pushing, "Parents are a lot less tired after delivery. They just ultimately actually are better able to enjoy the actual experience for their baby."

An experience that Elizabeth Beverly said was simply like no other, "He's been great and we are just so thankful to have him and such a great delivery."

The nurses who conducted the research will be presenting the information in June at the National Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses or AWHONN. They have already started implementing appropriate changes in their own family birthing center.

If accepted as part of national guidelines, the newer protocol could change recommendations for birthing at many other hospitals across the country.

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