Labor 101 (Part 2): Pushing, Placenta & Postpartum

In this follow-up to the previous Labor 101 episode, we’re walking through what happens after you’re fully dilated. From the first urge to push to the golden hour of skin-to-skin, this is your full guide to stage two and three of labor — plus how to navigate the big moment calmly and confidently, whether you're birthing at home, a hospital, or a birth center.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 5 yet, I recommend starting there!

🎧 In This Episode

🌀 The 3 types of pushing: physiological, directed, and the fetal ejection reflex

🔥 What the “ring of fire” really feels like — and how to work with it, not against it

🧘🏽‍♀️ Why waiting to push (aka laboring down) can reduce tearing and exhaustion

🧍‍♀️ Standing? Side-lying? In the tub? Best pushing positions with and without an epidural

⏳ How long pushing actually takes — and what factors influence it

💉 What to expect with stage three: delivering the placenta, fundal massage & delayed cord clamping

👶🏽 Why the golden hour matters — for baby, for bonding, and for milk supply

💡 Skin-to-skin with dads, C-sections, and how to keep the room calm after birth

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• There’s no prize for fast pushing. Slower, gentler pushing can protect your body.
• Your position makes a difference — especially for reducing tearing and helping baby descend.
• The golden hour is about more than cuddles — it supports baby's vitals and your recovery.
• Every birth is different. What matters is tuning into what your body is telling you in the moment.

🌿 Resources + Mentions

💡 Download the free ebook: 5 Steps to a Fear-Free Birth

🎓 Interested in going deeper? Check out The Empowered Birth Method, the complete childbirth education course.

❓Got a question we didn’t cover? Submit it anonymously here for our next Q&A episode!

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