Painless Normal Delivery

Giving birth to a child is one of the beautiful experiences during their lifetime. It will be forever engraved in your memory. This is completely a natural way of delivering a baby by the expectant mother without any help of medicines and invasive methods. The objective of normal delivery must be understood by the expectant mother along with the family before opting for one. In a normal delivery, the psychological and physical health of the expectant mother is maintained. The process of normal delivery or labor begins around thirty-seven to forty-two weeks of the pregnancy.

When is normal childbirth recommended?

Normal delivery is always recommended for healthy and young women. They can comfortably go through this procedure. The indications of a normal delivery are normal blood pressure, the position of the fetus, and an active lifestyle. Here is a list of when normal delivery is recommended:

• When there will be an excessive urge to urinate due to the pressure coming out from the head of the baby as it presses the pelvic region and squeeze the bladder
• The fetus changes its position between week thirty to thirty-four to a head-down or cephalic position which indicated that it is ready for delivery. When ultrasound is done, it indicates that the position of the baby has already moved down.
• Vaginal discharge will increase and is expected to be pink or white in color and sometimes a bit stained with blood as well. These are the signs of a normal and healthy pregnancy.
• The breasts will sore which is also an indication of normal childbirth. The breasts will feel uncomfortable and heavy when you will be in the final stage.
• The fetus starts to put pressure on the lower back thus causing pain in the lower back area. The fetus is actually positioning itself so that it can get a head-down position or cephalic position.
• Expectant mothers might experience some discomfort and cramps due to the upset bowel movement. This is due to increased hormonal activity.
• Sometimes the breaking of the water bag happens before the labor begins. At that time, normal delivery is advised. This breaking of the water bag is expected to take place during the time of labor.

Stages of normal vaginal delivery

First Stage

• Effacement and dilation of the cervix take place in this stage. The cervix is thinned by the contraction and it begins to open. This is known as effacement and dilation. As soon as dilation of the cervix takes place the opening will be measured by the doctors in centimeters During the first stage, the widening of the cervix will be about 10 centimeters. This widening stays for about twelve to thirteen hours in the case of the first baby and seven to eight hours in the case of the second baby. There are also three sub-stages of the first stage of normal delivery. Here is are the sub-stages:
• Early labor– The widening of the cervix is early labor is around four centimeters. Most of the days during the early labor will be spent at the home. You will be advised to continue your sexual activities. Doctors will suggest you to rest, relax, eat light meals, drink clear fluids, and keep a record of the contractions. Sometimes contractions go away with the change in activities but with the passing time contractions get stronger. When you can clearly distinguish between how strong, how long, and how frequent the contractions are and when you will not be able to talk during the time of contractions, expect yourself to be moving towards active labor.
• Active labor– In this stage, the cervix opens from four centimeters to seven centimeters. This is the time you should visit the hospital. You will understand your cervix to open faster when you will experience contractions every three to four minutes and when these contractions last for about sixty seconds. As there is a progression in labor, the water bag eventually breaks causing the spread of lots of fluid. Contractions also speed up when the bag of water breaks. Easy breathing is helpful during this time. Doctors also suggest focusing on relaxing and positive music or images as they prove to be helpful. You can also opt to change your current positions, cold or hot compresses, massage, walk, sit upright, or stand to progress your labor. Energy-saving happens by relaxing in between and during contractions. This also helps to open the cervix. Soaking tubs or whirlpools are used by many hospitals to make patients feel relaxed and prevent discomfort.
• Transition In this stage, the cervix opens from seven centimeters to ten centimeters. This is one of the painful and hardest parts a woman faces during labor. This is the stage when the cervix opens to the fullest. The timing of the contractions is sixty to ninety seconds and it repeats every two to three minutes. The strength of the contractions will make you feel overwhelmed and you will get very little time to take rest. Sometimes you may feel irritated, tired, frustrated, shaky, sick to the stomach, sweaty, and cold as well. Slow breathing will help you in this stage but sometimes uneven patterns of breathing may also help you.

Secound Stage

The baby usually comes down through the birth canal. This is the stage where the cervix is open completely and ends when the baby’s birth takes place. The baby comes down due to contractions and intense pressure that is similar to any bowel movement. Doctors might ask you to push with the contractions. You will get the time to rest by the contractions. Most of the women have a feeling of irritation and want to be alone at this time. This stage continues until and unless the baby comes out.

Third Stage

This is the stage of afterbirth. The baby takes birth and the contraction of the uterus continues unless and until the placenta pushes out. It takes five to fifteen minutes for a placenta to come out after the arrival of the baby.

Fourth Stage

This is the recovery stage. The mother and the partner will have a feeling of fatigue, joy, and relief when the baby takes birth and there is also the delivery of the placenta. Most babies need nursing within a short time interval after birth, while others might take some more time. If a mother wants to breastfeed, doctors strongly recommend that too. The uterus will contract as soon as the new mother starts to nurse the newborn baby. The amount of bleeding will also start to decrease when nursing starts. s:

Symptoms of normal delivery

• Dropping of the baby
• Desire to urinate
• Lower backache
• The breasts will sore which is also an indication of normal childbirth. The breasts will feel uncomfortable and heavy when you will be in the final stage.
• Vaginal discharge increased
• Diarrhea