Valsalva pushing is a steady pushing effort through each contraction. You begin your contraction with one or two cleansing breaths, then take a third breath and hold it in. As you hold your breath, push down with the contraction.

Some women find it helpful for their partner to count to ten with each push to aid concentration. This count should last about six seconds. Don’t hold your breath for too long. Your goal should be three pushes with each contraction, and you should take a deep breath between each push. Take two more cleansing breaths at the end of the contraction.