Types of Deliveries
- Normal Delivery
- Assisted Delivery
- Cesarean section
- Painless Delivery(Epidural)
- Vacuum-Assisted Delivery
Normal Delivery
It is defined as a natural way of bringing the baby into this world. It is not difficult to have natural and normal childbirth unless you have some medical complications. The vaginal birth process helps in having a healthy baby and a quick recovery.
What are the signs and symptoms of Normal Delivery?
Symptoms that appear one to four weeks before labour:
- Lack of coordination
- Loosened joints
- Urge to urinate
- Braxton Hick’s contractions (false contractions)
- Dilation of the cervix
- Watery stools
- Warm sensation in the abdomen
- Increasing contractions
- Vaginal bleeding
- Intensifying back pain
- Severe pain from contractions
Why should you prefer Normal Delivery?
Here are a few points which will tell you why you should keep your delivery as natural as possible:
Shorter Labour: Painkillers and epidurals slow down the contractions and increase the total labouring period. When you don’t feel the contractions, you will not know when to push and cannot progress to the labouring stage.
Epidural leads to medical interventions: Epidural disconnects you from the natural push action, so doctors give uterine stimulants or assist delivery by vacuum or forceps.
Healthier for both mom and baby: Normal delivery requires a short recovery time. Babies receive protective bacteria from the birth canal, which helps build their immune system. It also decreases the risk of respiratory diseases.
Facilitates breastfeeding: Usually delivered babies adapt to breastfeeding with ease. Also the pain relievers given in C-section deliveries pass on to the baby through breastfeeding.
Shorter hospital stay: Vaginal birth entails a shorter hospital stay and recovery time comparing to C-section.
What is the Process of a Normal Delivery?
A vaginal birth is divided into three stages:
Stage 1: It consists of three phases:
- Latent: this phase last from six to ten hours in first-time pregnancy and cervix dilates from 0-4 cm during this phase.
- Active: This phase last from three to six hours in first-time pregnancy and for a lesser time in the subsequent deliveries.
- Transition: This phase last from 20 minutes to 2 hours in the first-time pregnancy and lesser duration the subsequent pregnancies.
Stages 2: This stage begins with a fully dilated cervix, and it lasts from half-an-hour to two hours in first-time pregnancy and reduces in subsequent births.
Stage 3: In this stage, the placenta is removed from the body, and it usually takes about a few minutes to half-an-hour.
How long does Normal Delivery last?
- Number of deliveries so far
- The intensity of pain and contractions
- Ease of cervical dilation
- Baby’s position
Why Motherhood?
DOCTORS
Dr. Kavya Krishna Kumar
MBBS, FMAS, MS
Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Alwarpet, Chennai
Dr. Sireesha Reddy
MBBS, CCT, MD (OBG), FRCOG
Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Bangalore, Hebbal
Dr. Dhanalakshmi R
MBBS, DNB (Pediatric), MRCP CH, Followership in Neonatal Neonatal medicine(UK), PGPN (Boston university,USA), IPPN, ACLP
Consultant - Paediatrician and Neonatologist
Bangalore, HRBR Layout
Symptoms that appear one to four weeks before labour:
- Lack of coordination
- Loosened joints
- Urge to urinate
- Braxton Hick’s contractions (false contractions)
- Dilation of the cervix
- Watery stools