What is Vaginal Delivery? Everything you need to know before opting it
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When a mother gives birth through her vagina, it is called a vaginal delivery. The vast majority of pregnancies and births occur via vaginal delivery. This is due to the fact that these types of births pose the least danger to the mother and child and provide the most benefits.
So, what exactly is a vaginal birth?
When a mother gives birth through her vagina, it is called a vaginal delivery. In the vast majority of cases, this is how mothers give birth. With a vaginal birth, the cervix is opened and the uterus contracts to make room for the baby to exit (or enter the birth canal).
Vaginal births are preferred by medical professionals because they are the safest for both the mother and the baby. There is a peak rate of vaginal birth between weeks 37 and 42 of pregnancy.
What are the steps involved in giving birth through the vaginal route?
There are three distinct phases to a vaginal birth: labor, the actual birth, and the placenta delivery.
Labor
Contractions in the uterus lead to dilation of the cervix to 10 cm and full effacement of the cervix at the end of the first stage of labor.
Work can be broken down into three stages: the pre-work phase, the working phase, and the post-work phase.
Early labor: This stage includes contractions and the cervix opening (dilating) and thinning out (effacing). Near the end of the first stage of labor, you may have a cervix that is about 5 cm dilated.
Active labor: When labor has progressed to the active phase, contractions are strong and regular (about every three minutes) and can last up to a minute each. Since contractions can be quite painful, some expectant mothers ask for epidurals at this time. To hasten the process along, medical professionals may also administer oxytocin.
Transitional labor: As your cervix dilates from 5 to 10 centimeters, you will be in the transitional phase of labor. Extremely rapid contractions that last for more than a minute characterize this brief but intense phase of labor. If you break out in a cold sweat, throw up, or feel weak, you’ve entered the nervous stage. It occurs right before you put forth your pushing effort.
Birth
When your cervix dilates to ten centimeters, you enter the birthing stage, which concludes when your baby is born vaginally. Contractions will be very intense, and you will start pushing. There’s a chance you’ll experience discomfort or a strong urge to defecate. If you’ve had an epidural and are unable to feel contractions, your healthcare provider may give you instructions on how to push. This stage may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. If you’ve already given birth vaginally before, you can expect this birth to go more quickly.
Delivering the placenta
Birthing the placenta is the final step in the labor process (commonly called “afterbirth”). It starts when the baby is extracted from the birth canal and finishes when the placenta is given to the mother. Your doctor or nurse might want you to give it a little more oomph. Some minutes after your baby is born, it will enter this phase, which can last up to 30 minutes.
Keep in mind that every woman’s experience of labor and delivery will be unique. The length of your labor may be affected by a variety of external factors. A person who receives an epidural, for instance, will feel less pain than someone who does not. In addition, first-time pregnancies tend to have more intense and prolonged labor. How long it takes to give birth vaginally depends on a number of variables, including the size and position of your baby and how quickly you dilate.
Why is having a vaginal birth preferable?
When possible, a vaginal birth is preferable for the health of both the mother and the baby.
Vaginal birth offers several advantages to the expecting mother, including:
- The time required to get back on your feet is reduced.
- Premature lactation is reduced.
- Reduced potential for future pregnancy problems.
- These advantages of vaginal birth to the baby are:
- A decreased risk of developing respiratory problems.
- Enhancement of resistance due to a stronger immune system.
- significantly more likely to breastfeed (chest feed).
Reasons to avoid vaginal delivery
In most cases, vaginal birth is the best option. In certain cases, however, a vaginal birth poses serious risks. Your doctor might suggest having a C-section if…
- The position of your baby, breech, is abnormal.
- You may be experiencing placenta previa or another placental issue.
- You have active genital herpes or an untreated genital herpes infection.
- You’re dealing with a long-term medical condition.
What complications may arise from a vaginal birth?
After giving birth, you may experience both physical and mental shifts. This is a common occurrence:
- Constipation.
- Full, swollen breasts.
- Aching and discomfort in the vaginal area, especially if you tore.
- Changes in temperament.
- Continual uterine bleeding.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Symptoms like headaches, flushing, and sweating (from hormonal changes).
- Cramps.
- Lochia (a type of vaginal discharge) (a type of vaginal discharge).
The term “baby blues” refers to the emotional distress felt by some women after giving birth. Within the first few weeks after a vaginal delivery, hormonal changes may cause a variety of feelings, including sadness, crying, and other expressions of emotion. Talk to your doctor if you’re still experiencing depression, anxiety, or mood swings weeks or months after giving birth.
In what time frame can you expect to feel back to normal after a vaginal birth?
The length of time it takes to recover from a vaginal birth is different for everyone. In most cases, vaginal births result in a shorter recovery time than C-sections do. How quickly you recover depends on a number of factors. One of them is the severity of any vaginal tears you may experience. Teared muscles can cause discomfort for a while. It may hurt to use the restroom, to sit or stand, or to perform other routine actions. Swelling and itching near the tear are common reactions. Whether or not vaginal tears occur, most women experience discomfort in that area for a week or two due to normal swelling, bruising, and general soreness. To alleviate vaginal discomfort, try applying cold compresses or cooling sanitary pads.
A Note from Green City Hospital
The experience of giving birth is thrilling and life-changing. Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are all different for each woman. The majority of births occur through vaginal delivery. Until you go through it yourself, it’s tough to know what to expect, but talking to your doctor and asking questions can help you get ready. Vaginal births have a very high rate of success and a very low risk of complications. Your healthcare providers have the expertise to handle any complications that may arise and ensure that you and your baby are both healthy and happy to make their world debut.