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Dr Komalas Women Clinic - Normal Delivery

Introduction

Normal delivery is generally referred to as the process of childbirth through the vagina. It is also called vaginal delivery or vaginal birth. As every woman is different, she may experience a different kind of labor pain, and its intensity also varies. People often use the expressions normal delivery and natural delivery interchangeably. Unless there is a medical emergency, women around the world prefer normal vaginal delivery that brings comparatively lower risks and complications than those seen in assisted deliveries. 

Overview of Normal Deliveries

Normal delivery is a natural process that brings a baby out from the birth canal into the world. Such deliveries follow three stages. They are early labor, the active labor stage, the stage of a baby’s birth, and the placenta delivery stage.

What are Normal Deliveries?

Normal delivery is the natural process of bringing a baby into this world as a completely new individual. It is not a difficult process of childbirth unless the mother is suspected of having medical problems or other complications. Babies delivered through normal vaginal delivery are comparatively healthier than babies born through other delivery methods. Additionally, women having normal deliveries recover faster. In a normal delivery, sometimes mothers do not even require painkillers and epidurals.

The Stages of Normal Deliveries

Normal delivery is divided into three stages

Stage 1: Early labor and active labor

  • Latent phase- In this phase, the cervix dilates to around 4 cm, and this phase lasts for around 6 to 10 hours for women experiencing their first pregnancy.
  • Active phase- For expecting mothers suffering from systemic conditions such as cardiac problems, reducing labor time is necessary. Hence, forceps deliveries are used in such cases to minimize health complications.
  • Transition phase- Especially for first-time mothers, doctors allow a maximum of 2 hours of push without an epidural and 3 hours with an epidural. In such cases, if the baby shows no signs of coming out of the birth canal, forceps are used. This time is reduced for those who have had children previously.

Stage 2: Birth of the baby

  • In this stage, the cervix is fully dilated. The baby is delivered at this stage. This stage lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. It may take longer for first-time pregnant women.

Stage 3: Delivery of placenta

  • Placenta is delivered within 5 to 30 minutes after the baby is delivered, but usually, the process lasts for a few hours. The mother will continue to have mild contractions in this phase. The doctor examines the mother thoroughly to make sure that the placenta is intact. After the delivery of the placenta, the uterus continues to contract to get back to its normal size.

The Signs and Symptoms of Normal Delivery

The signs and symptoms of a normal delivery vary from one pregnant woman to another. The symptoms may start to appear a few weeks before the due date. 

Early Symptoms

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • A lack of coordination
  • A feeling of loose joints
  • Watery consistency of stools
  • The false alarm is also referred to as false contractions

Advanced symptoms

  • Increased pain
  • Increase in contractions and increased vaginal bleeding
  • Severe back pain
  • Rupture of the water bag or the amniotic sac
  • More frequent and severe contractions
  • Reddish pink color mucosal discharge is seen in the urine.

Why is Normal Delivery Preferred?

The human female body is designed to deliver babies naturally. A healthy female body can easily deliver a baby naturally without assisted delivery methods and may not even require painkillers and epidurals.  

 The use of painkillers and epidurals slow down uterine contractions, which eventually increases the duration of labor. In such cases, doctors need to give uterine stimulants or opt for assisted delivery methods such as forceps delivery or the vacuum delivery method. 

The normal delivery method is healthier for both the mother and the baby. Normal deliveries do not require long hours in the labor ward. Babies delivered through the normal vaginal route receive bacteria that help them build immunity and fight infections from the birth canal. Hence, natural delivery is preferred over assisted methods or C- section. Babies delivered normally adapt well to breastfeeding, and it reduces the hospital stay for the mother and the baby. 

When to See a Doctor?

It is advisable for pregnant women to visit their doctor for regular follow-ups. However, if they feel that their water bag or the membrane has ruptured, they should immediately get admitted to the nearest hospital. The water leakage and the contraction pain lasting for a few seconds but occurring at regular intervals are signs that you are in labor. The other obvious signs of labor are: 

  • Regular and constrained uterine contractions
  • Rupture of the membrane 
  • Blood discharge from the vagina 
  • Complete dilation of the cervix

Request an appointment at Dr Komala's Women Clinic

If you notice these signs, it is an indication that you are in labor. Get admitted to Dr Komalas Women Clinic. If you do not have these signs, it possibly is a false alarm. In such cases, women are kept under observation for a few hours. If labor pain does not start, they are discharged.

Benefits of Normal Deliveries

  • There are no risks associated with instrumental injuries, unlike a C-section or a forceps delivery.
  • They help stimulate lactation in mothers due to the secretion of certain hormones.
  • Babies receive bacteria that boost their immunity and help them fight infections.
  • They lower the risk of infection to both the mother and the child.

Risks and Complications Associated with Normal Deliveries

  • Preterm labor
  • Pregnancy-induced hypertension
  • Pregnancy-induced diabetes or gestational diabetes
  • Miscarriage

The complications increase with the following risk factors:

  • Women with hypertension, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, anemia, and epileptic women are at a higher risk for developing complications.
  • Pregnancy either at a very early age or very late above the age of 35 can result in complications.
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption
  • A history of miscarriage
  • Multiple kids, twins or triplets
  • Certain illegal drugs

Conclusion

For a pregnant woman, the important thing to pay attention to is her own and her baby’s health. Discuss your labor and delivery methods with your doctor before you welcome your baby into this world.

When you start experiencing continuous contractions at regular intervals and your water bag ruptures, it is time to get admitted to the hospital.

Normal delivery is comparatively less painful than a C-section. The pain ends with the birth of your child. However, in a C-section delivery, the pain continues for days. 

You can opt for massage therapy or have a water bath to relieve your pain.

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Komala’s Women Clinic is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of the art, science and practice of reproductive medicine.

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Dr Komalas Women Clinic 1991 1st Floor, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Rd, Yelahanka Satellite Town, Yelahanka New Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064

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