Vaginal birth is the most common method of giving birth. While it is associated with many tales of great pain, there is so much more information other than the pain that one has to know about vaginal birth. This paper is going to explore some of the important information one needs to know about vaginal birth.
Preparing for vaginal delivery
Planning is essential. Before the time of giving birth one should always have a plan on how she is going to give birth- while the plan may end up changing it always helps to have your initial thoughts on paper.
Be sure to attend all of your checkups
Delivery plans are usually discussed with one’s gynecologist prior to the occasion. This gives the expecting mum a chance to ask questions and get as much information as possible. Here you will also get help with topics such as breastfeeding, signs of labour, labour positions etc. If one cannot afford a gynecologist they can also make use of community healthcare workers and clinics that offer antenatal care visits. Remember, the goal is to be a healthy mother so you have a high chance of having healthy babies in a safe way.
Pack your hospital bag in advance
One should have a checklist and the bag should be packed way before the due date as emergencies can happen. You can check on the list of some of the things one should pack in their bag on the Kunashe Foundation website.
Stages of vaginal birth
Every woman who gives birth vaginally experiences it in three phases (James Greenberg, M.D. April 12, 2020)
1. Labour
Labour is experienced in three phases which are early labor, active labor and transitional labor. All women who deliver vaginally will experience all three phases of labor, though one may not notice the first phase at all. The timing and intensity of contractions can help clue you in to which phase of labor you’re in, while periodic physical exams will confirm your progress.
2. Pushing and delivery of the baby
This is when your cervix reaches the 10 cm mark meaning one is fully dilated. After this one will start to push their baby to come out. As your baby crowns and you push him or her out, you will feel a tingling, stretching or burning sensation.
3. Delivery of the placenta
In this final stage of labour, the worst is over one will continue to have mild contractions as the practitioner helps with the delivery of the baby’s placenta/ afterbirth. The doctor will examine the uterus to make sure everything is as expected.
The first six weeks after giving birth are known as the recovery period and in the first week one might experience a lot of bleeding, cramps, exhaustion, difficulty urinating and bowel movements amongst other symptoms. Gradually these symptoms will subside. However the process involves a lot of emotions and the risk of postpartum depression. You can read on postpartum depression from the link below:
In conclusion giving birth is a beautiful natural process women need to be informed on. While in some cases there might be complications, it is vital to stay informed and to take the necessary steps in planning for your future as a mother.
#maternal health matters
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