Provider support of spontaneous pushing during the second stage of labor.

OBJECTIVE To describe the association between provider communication and actual maternal pushing behavior in second-stage labor and to test differences in length of second stage and total maternal pushing time by maternal pushing behavior. DESIGN Descriptive. SETTING Midwest hospital birth unit. PARTICIPANTS Twenty primigravidas who gave birth vaginally. INTERVENTION Type of provider communication (supportive of spontaneous or directed pushing). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Maternal pushing behavior (spontaneous or directed) documented by videotape review. RESULTS The percentage of provider communication supporting spontaneous pushing versus directed pushing and the percentage of actual spontaneous versus directed maternal pushing behavior were associated (Pearson r = .80, p = .001, for spontaneous and r = .89, p = .001, for directed). Neither duration of second stage (t = .06, p = .95) nor time spent pushing (t = .15, p = .89) differed by spontaneous versus directed pushing style. CONCLUSION The proportion of spontaneous pushing by the birthing woman was positively and significantly associated with the proportion of caregiver communication supporting and encouraging spontaneous pushing. Importantly, spontaneous pushing did not significantly lengthen the duration of second-stage labor or total time spent pushing.