Choosing a vaginal delivery:-
During normal/vaginal delivery the primary focus is on how and in which position will the mother be comfortable delivering the baby. The mother can lead the whole process of labor and delivery.The doctor and attending nurses, aid her while being alert for any kind of emergencies.
Every delivery is as unique and individual as each mother and infant. In addition, women may have completely different experiences with each new labor and delivery. Giving birth is a life-changing event that will leave an impression on you for the rest of your life.Of course, you’ll want this to be a positive experience and to know what to expect. Here’s some information about what may happen as you’re delivering your baby.
Birth plans: Should you have one?
As you approach the latter part of your pregnancy, you may want to write a birth plan. Consider carefully what’s important to you. The overall goal is a healthy mother and baby. The birth plan outlines your ideal birth and may need to be adjusted as the actual situation unfolds. Talk with your partner and decide who you want to have attending the birth. Some couples feel that this is a private time and prefer not to have others present. A birth plan may include other subjects like pain relief during labor, delivery positions, and more.
Early phases of labor
Amniotic sac
The amniotic sac is the fluid-filled membrane surrounding your baby. This sac will almost always rupture before the baby is born, though in some cases it remains intact until delivery. When it ruptures, it’s often described as your “water breaking.”In most cases, your water will break before you go into labor or at the very beginning of labor. Most women experience their water breaking as a gush of fluid. It should be clear and odorless — if it’s yellow, green, or brown, contact your doctor right away.
Contractions
Contractions are the tightening and releasing of your uterus. These motions will eventually help your baby push through the cervix. Contractions can feel like heavy cramping or pressure that begins in your back and moves to the front.Contractions aren’t a reliable indicator of labor. You might already have felt Braxton-Hicks contractions, which may have started as early as your second trimester.A general rule is that when you are having contractions that last for a minute, are five minutes apart, and have been so for an hour, you’re in true labor.
Cervix dilation
The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cervix is a tubular structure approximately 3 to 4 centimeters in length with a passage that connects the uterine cavity to the vagina.During labor, the role of the cervix must change from maintaining the pregnancy (by keeping the uterus closed) to facilitating delivery of the baby (by dilating, or opening, enough to allow the baby through).The fundamental changes that occur near the end of the pregnancy result in a softening of the cervical tissue and thinning of the cervix, both of which help prepare the cervix. True, active labor is considered to be underway when the cervix is dilated 3 centimeters or more.
Labor and delivery
Eventually, the cervical canal must open until the cervical opening itself has reached 10 centimeters in diameter and the baby is able to pass into the birth canal.As the baby enters the vagina, your skin and muscles stretch. The labia and perineum (the area between the vagina and the rectum) eventually reach a point of maximum stretching. At this point, the skin may feel like it’s burning.Some childbirth educators call this the ring of fire because of the burning sensation felt as the mother’s tissues stretch around the baby’s head. At this time, your healthcare provider may decide to perform an episiotomy.You may or may not feel the episiotomy because the skin and muscles can lose sensation due to how tightly they’re stretched.
The birth
As the baby’s head emerges, there is a great relief from the pressure, although you’ll probably still feel some discomfort.