A vaginal/natural delivery is the birthing process that normally does not require medical intervention. If you are delivering vaginally then it normally progresses in 3 key stages.
- Labour
This can be subdivided into early labour – where contractions start to cause your cervix to open – and active labour – where your cervix will dilate from 6cm-10cm and your contractions will become stronger and closer together.
- Delivery of the baby
This is when you are fully dilated and you are now pushing your baby through the birth canal.
- Delivery of the placenta
This is the final stage where you’ll still have some minor contractions while I deliver the baby’s placenta.
Next Steps
Assuming there have been no complications, you will be able to hold your baby directly after delivery, and also breastfeed if you so wish
Being Induced
If you are ‘overdue’ – pass your expected delivery date – or you have a complication, you may need to be induced.
In this situation we may help your cervix dilate and rupture your membranes if your waters have not broken. Failing that, we may administer syntocinon which is an artificial version of the labour-inducing hormone oxytocin.
Once contractions are established as expected, your labour should progress normally through the stages, similar to a non-induced birth.
