Normal birth or delivery is the typical way of how a baby is delivered. Normal birth is comparatively easier and safer compared to the c-section delivery.
Babies who are delivered through the normal delivery grow up with fewer issues than babies who are delivered by c – section.
In this article we’ll be seeing Dr. Hrishikesh Pai from Budget IVF & Fertility Centre is one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai, shares his knowledge about a normal birth and some advantages of it.
Dr Hrishikesh Pai has over 35 years of experience in gynecology and has treated patients from all over India as well from around the world.
What is a normal delivery?
Normal delivery is vaginal delivery without any medications.
Stages of a normal delivery
According to Dr. Pai, one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai at Budget IVF & Fertility Centre , these are the 3 stages of normal delivery:
- The 1st stage is when the neck of the cervix opens up to 10cm
- The 2nd stage is when the baby is born or delivered
- The 3rd stage is the delivery of the placenta
Stage 1: Dilation
The first stage is the longest of the three stages. It’s actually divided into two phases — early labor and active labor.
Early labor
During early labor, your cervix dilates and effaces. You’ll likely feel mild, irregular contractions.
As your cervix begins to open, you might notice a clear pink or slightly bloody discharge from your vagina. This is likely the mucus plug that blocks the cervical opening during pregnancy.
Active labor
Your cervix will dilate from 6 to 10 centimeters (cm) during active labor. Your contractions will get stronger, more regular, and closer together. It’s possible that your legs will cramp and you’ll feel sick. If your water hasn’t already broken, you can notice an increase in pressure in your back.
Active labor might last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours or more. Your cervix will dilate at a rate of about 1 centimeter an hour
Stage 2: delivery
In the second stage of labor the cervix is completely and fully dilated and then the baby’s head is pushed down through the birth canal, at this phase(stage) you need to stay focused and determined.
The entire process of delivering your baby will take upto 30 minutes upto an hour and maybe even longer.
This process could last very long if you take an epidural, says Dr. Pai.
Stage 3 : Placenta
The delivery of the placenta begins the third stage of labor, which begins when the fetus is delivered.
A gush of blood at the vagina, extension of the umbilical cord, and a globular-shaped uterine fundus on probing are all signals that the placenta has separated from the uterine interface.
It usually takes 5 to 30 minutes for the placenta to expel spontaneously.
A delivery time of more than 30 minutes is linked to an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage and may warrant manual removal or other intervention, says Dr. Pai.
To quicken placental delivery, traction on the umbilical cord is used in combination with fundal pressure.
Advantages of a normal delivery
According to Dr. Pai, normal delivery has a lot of advantages compared to a c-section.
Some of the advantages are:
Reduced risk
Avoiding any surgical treatments or drugs benefits both the mother and the infant by lowering the risks associated with childbirth.
Medications increase the likelihood of a protracted labor and may cause the baby’s growth to be delayed in the first month.
Prevents any unnecessary disorders
Inducing labor with injections or other drugs can result in the infant developing autism or other neurological abnormalities.
By choosing natural childbirth, these diseases can be avoided.
Easy breastfeeding
A Cesarean section is a serious surgical procedure that takes several weeks to recover from. This could be a difficulty for a new mother who needs to modify her position in various ways to feed her baby.
Natural birth, on the other hand, makes it easier to breastfeed because you heal faster following childbirth. Women who have cesareans stay in the hospital for much longer than those who have a normal birth.
Lower risk of respiratory problems
Many hormonal changes happen during normal birth, these changes help the babies to develop healthy functioning lungs.
Pain relief
Each hormone serves a critical role in ensuring the safety of both the mother and the kid. Oxytocin and endorphins, two pain-relieving chemicals, are released during childbirth.
After the delivery, these hormones leave the mother feeling invigorated and pleased. Oxytocin is commonly refer to as the “love hormone.” It also aids in the prevention of postpartum depression.
Can follow up a natural diet.
Women who give a normal delivery can eat and drink anything freely while women who go through cesarean have to wait for a while before they can have food, says Dr. Pai.
Conclusion
Delivery whether it be natural or c section, the mother has to have a lot of strength to pull through.
Normal delivery is the best delivery as compared to a c section, as it has comparatively less risk for the mother and the baby. Normal delivery provides a faster recovery. You can visit one of the best gynecologists in Mumbai at Budget IVF & Fertility Centre, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, for further details.
