April 14, 2019
Are you a first-time mom who would like to know what to expect during and after vaginal delivery? Well, you’re at the right place.
Vaginal delivery is the oldest and most widely known delivery method. Women tend to gravitate towards vaginal delivery unless the healthcare provider advises otherwise.
Every delivery is unique to every mother and child. Therefore, you can’t use someone else’s experience as a yardstick for yours.
In one of the articles on our blog, we listed the different types of childbirth and delivery methods.
If you have chosen to have a vaginal delivery or you’re considering it, here’s what you should expect during and after delivery.
You need to prepare ahead for the delivery process.
Some mothers would say, “nothing prepares you for childbirth”, but this shouldn’t stop you from preparing yourself.
Here are a few things you can put in place before your vaginal delivery.
A birth plan has to do with your goals during labour and after delivery. It involves how you want your delivery to go. It has to involve your healthcare provider and partner in some cases.
In creating this plan, you need to consider the hospital or birthing centre where your delivery will happen.
Three stages lead to the delivery of your baby. They are;
1. Labour
The labour process is divided into the early, active and transitional. You will go through all three stages of labour if you want a vaginal delivery.
During the early labour, the cervix opens up, and you begin to feel mild and irregular contractions. Getting comfortable and staying hydrated is advised at this stage. Some get induced at this point when complications set in.
During active labour, your contractions become more frequent, and the cervix dilates from six to fully open at ten centimetres.
The pain from the contraction increases, and pressure intensifies. This stage of labour can last between four to eight hours.
2. Pushing and delivery of the baby
When the cervical opening has reached ten centimetres, it means you are fully dilated. As the baby enters the vagina, your skin and muscles begin to stretch to the point that you feel a burning sensation.
At this point, you will be asked to push more gently. Pushing stops once your vaginal tissues stretch and your baby’s head is delivered.
As your baby’s head emerges, there will be a great relief from the pressure. The rest of the baby’s body will follow immediately.
3. Delivering the placenta
At this stage, the placenta is still in the uterus. You may feel some pressure and contraction as you deliver the placenta.
The healthcare provider in charge may rub your abdomen below your belly button to help with delivering the placenta. In some other cases, you might have to push.
The uterus is examined to confirm that the placenta is completely out.
If you opt for a natural birth (vaginal birth without medication), you will feel some level of pain and pressure during labour.
If you choose to have an epidural (pain relief medication), whatever feeling or sensation you have will depend on the effectiveness of the epidural block.
You also need to be aware that there might be possible tearing, especially with first-time moms. Vaginal tissues are soft so, tearing may occur if delivery happens very fast or with excessive force.
Labour and delivery can be very unpredictable, but that should not stop you from preparing yourself for delivery. Remember, you don’t have to go through a vaginal delivery if your doctor advises otherwise.
