Normal delivery is a natural process of delivering the baby through the vagina, also called the birth canal, without any medical intervention. It is the most common type of birth process. There are different types of vaginal delivery that are categorized into the following-

• Spontaneous vaginal delivery - When the female goes into labor without any assistance like the use of drugs or techniques for inducing labor and delivers the baby, it is called spontaneous vaginal delivery.
• Assisted vaginal delivery - When the labor induces with or without the use of drugs or techniques, and the baby is delivered by using special instruments like vacuum extractor or forceps through the vagina, it is called assisted vaginal delivery.
• Induced vaginal delivery - When special drugs and instruments are used for inducing the labor and delivering the baby, it is called induced vaginal delivery.
• Normal vaginal delivery - Whenever the baby is delivered through the vaginal canal and without a C-section, it is called normal vaginal delivery.

What are the benefits of normal delivery?

Normal vaginal delivery is the normal and easiest process of delivering a baby. There are many benefits of normal delivery like-

• You escape from surgery
• You don’t have to remain hospitalized for many days
• The rate of getting infections is less
• Recovery time is usually less as compared to a cesarean delivery
• The babies have a lower risk of suffering from respiratory problems
• There are zero chances of post-surgical hemorrhaging

What to expect during normal delivery?

The entire process of normal vaginal delivery is divided into different phases that are explained briefly-

• Rupture of Amniotic sac - The baby lies inside the womb in the amniotic sac. This sac ruptures before the baby is born, and the process is termed as ‘water breaking.’ A gush of fluid, usually clear and odorless, will flow, which is also a sign of the onset of labor. You must contact your doctor immediately. However, in a few cases, the sac remains intact until the delivery.
• Contractions - Contraction is tightening and releasing of the uterus after regular intervals whose frequency and intensity keep on increasing with time. These motions help the baby to push through the cervix. You will feel heavy cramping or pressure that begins from the back and moves forward. They are called Braxton-Hicks contractions.
• Cervix dilation - The lowest part of the uterus, opening into the vagina, is the cervix. It is a tubular structure, 3 to 4 cm in length, and connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. With the onset of labor, the cervix starts dilating slowly. When it dilates to 3 centimeters or more, the woman is considered coming into true and active labor.
• Labor and delivery- When the cervix dilates to 10 centimeters, the cervical canal opens properly for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Subsequently, the baby enters the vagina, and the skin and muscles stretch. Labia and perineum reach a point of maximum stretching where you may feel intense pain and burning sensation. The doctor may perform episiotomy wherein they make an incision in the vaginal opening to hasten the delivery.
• Birth - With your constant pushing and efforts by the doctor, the head of the baby will emerge out. The doctor will ask you to push a little more to deliver the entire baby out.
• Delivering the placenta - Once the baby is delivered, the next step is to deliver the placenta, which has supported the baby during the entire pregnancy period. Generally, the placenta delivers immediately or may take another half hour to come out. A little push will deliver the placenta completely.

Dr. Sumina Reddys Clinic is one of the best maternity clinics at Hyderabad that provides a comfortable stay and easy, normal delivery process. Dr. Sumina Reddy is a renowned gynecologist at Hyderabad with profound knowledge and years of experience in delivering babies through the normal process.

Visit Dr. Sumina Reddys Clinic to know more about normal delivery.