Delivery

What is Delivery/labor?

The birth of a child is the delivery or labor. This is the last phase of pregnancy where the baby or babies come out from the uterus. It passes through the vagina or with the help of Caesarean section. Many of the major health organizations have recommended that as soon as a baby takes birth through vaginal birth or with the help of a C-section, the infant must be placed on the chest of the mother.

This helps the mother as well as the newborn to have skin to skin contact. Let us read in details about delivery to get a clear idea.

Everything You Need to Know About Delivery

Types | Stages | After Delivery | Risks | Signs Of Delivery | Pain relief

It is a difficult task to bring a baby into the world, but with proper planning and taking proper care the task can be much easier. Vaginal delivery is one of the most common and normal ways of delivery. But couples might also look for other procedures and therapies that would make the task much easier, convenient, and safer for both the child and the mother.

Following are some of the techniques that are preferred by doctors and mothers for an uncomplicated procedure.

• Vaginal delivery

Babies are often delivered by the support of the birth canal that is situated at the womb. This type of delivery is known as natural birth or vaginal delivery. Most doctors will suggest this procedure as long as it is feasible.

When a woman is planning for multiple children, doctors will recommend vaginal births. If the incision is done above the area of the anal, the procedure is termed an episiotomy.

• Cesarean section deliver (C-section)

In this kind of delivery, in the mother’s uterus or belly, an incision is made and then the baby is delivered through the incision. Many women nowadays prefer this procedure. Therefore C-section makes the delivery process much easier and safer for both the baby and the mother.

• Assisted Vaginal Delivery

Vaginal delivery is referred to as the most common type of delivery. If required, doctors often use the method of assisted type delivery. Labor is a noncomplex and straightforward process but sometimes it might have the requirement of the assistance of any additional staff.

The assistance is not only limited to delivery only. It varies from emergency procedures associated with delivery to the usage of certain medications.

• Water delivery

In the case of water delivery, the mother undergoes all the procedures or some of them associated with childbirth in a tub that is almost similar to that of a hot tub. The baby is delivered when the woman is under the water.

Different positions are preferred by a mother. This procedure is much more relaxing and prevents excessive pain.

• Lamaze Technique

This method is a process of natural childbirth and is popular for the controlled technique of breathing that it offers. Different comfort strategies are offered by this technique during the time of delivery or labor.

Relaxation is increased and chances of pain are reduced by the breathing technique it allows. Other techniques are also offered by this method during the preparation of childbirth besides the breathing technique.

• Bradley method

This method focuses to prepare a mother to opt for natural childbirth that is trained by her partner. They prepare themselves for the procedure of unassisted vaginal birth without the help of medications.

With the help of family and friends, this method is taught for twelve weeks using workbooks to keep a record.

• hypnosis

This is a technique based on philosophy. This process teaches relaxation which is based on breathing techniques, visualizations, and self-hypnosis. It creates a way of relaxation which is much needed by the mother during the situation of fear.

The potential of the woman’s faith in her body is promoted by this method. The natural birthing instincts are empowered during the time of labor. It helps to ensure a comfortable calm and serene birth.

The labor of every woman is unique in its own way starting from the first pregnancy followed by the next ones. Often the process of delivery or labor takes an hour and in some cases, the emotional and physical stamina of a mother is tested via labor.

One will not know how childbirth and labor will unfold until the same happens. The sequence of the events will help to prepare yourself for the same. There are different stages of labor or delivery. Here are the stages mentioned below:

1. First stage

The onset of delivery is incorporated in the first stage of labor. The dilation of the cervix is done completely. And the first stage is again divided into three sub-stages.

Early labor– This is the least intense and the longest phase of delivery. This phase is also known as the latent phase of delivery. The cervix is thinned and dilated to 3-4 cm during this stage. It usually takes days or weeks but sometimes it may take a few hours too.

During this stage, contraction can vary and normally ranges from moderate to severe, taking place at regular or irregular interludes. Some of the symptoms during this stage experienced by mothers are the discharge of bloody mucus, backache, and cramps.

Most of the women opt to go to the hospital at the end of this stage. But there are also many women who will arrive at the birthing center or hospital when they are continuing the early labor stage.

Active labor– The immediate next phase followed by the first stage of delivery is seen as the cervix is dilated to 7 cm from 3-4 cm. There are stronger contractions and there are symptoms like backache as well.

Transitional labor– This phase has the sharpest increase in contractions and is considered to be the intense phase of delivery. They are stronger at this phase and reappear within minutes apart or at an average time of 60 to 90 seconds. It takes very little time for the cervix to dilate the last 3 cm.

2. Second stage

Delivery– the cervix dilates fully during this stage. Some of the would-be mothers have the will to push immediately or as soon as the cervix is dilated fully. But there are also some cases where the baby is still high in the pelvis.

3. Third stage

The placenta is delivered and it takes place once the baby is born. The placenta will be separated from the uterine wall with the help of mild contractions, and it will move downwards towards the vagina. Episiotomy or process of stitching to mend a surgical cut or tear will be followed after the delivery of the placenta.

4. Fourth stage

Recovery– once the baby is born, the placenta delivers, and then the moment of unimaginable joy, fatigue, and relief will occur for both you and your partner. Most babies need nursing as soon as they are born.

Some babies also wait for a long time. Doctors always strongly recommend breastfeeding the child as soon as they are born. The uterus will contract as soon as the new mother starts nursing right away. It will also decrease the bleeding quantity.

It is very vital for a mother to get preparation for the changes in the body post-delivery. Here is a list of things that a mother have expectations to experience after the delivery:

• In the first week, you will lose weight
• Enlargement of breasts
• Contraction of uterus
• Bruised and swollen vagina
• The expectation of vaginal bleeding
• Emotional mood
• Saggy stomach
• Dull hair
• Give attention to the pelvic floor
• Look after the stitches in case of C-section delivery

There are certain risks that have an association with a child’s delivery. Doctors work from the very first day to reduce the chances of risks during delivery. Some of the risks are:

• Low birth weight
• Deficiency in nutrition
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Multiple-birth pregnancies

In case you experience any of the signs and symptoms, be sure that it is time for delivering a baby:

• Lightning or when the baby drops
• Urge to urinate increases
• Passing of the bloody mucus plug
• Dilated cervix
• Effacement of the cervix
• Back pain
• Contractions
• A sudden burst of excitement and energy
• Diarrhea
• Water breaking- which is not the same as urination
• Joints are looser
• Gaining weight has restriction so as losing weight

Labor or delivery can be painful so it is better to know the ways that can help you to get relief from the pain. Here is a list of tips that can help you to overcome pain during labor:

• Massage
• Water therapy
• Breathing
• Moving around
• Relaxation
• Epidural
• Entonox- oxygen and nitrous oxide mixture
• Use of TENS machine

A woman has to face many changes during the time of delivery. The muscles that are located at the top end of the uterus press down the bottom of the baby. The head of the baby further presses the cervix that also releases the love hormone known as oxytocin and brings on contraction as well.