Normal Birth is the vaginal birth of a baby without the need for medication and intervention as a result of spontaneous contractions and the opening of the cervix in a pregnant woman between 37-42 weeks. It is the most natural method of childbirth preferred by most expectant mothers. It is possible to give birth easily when there is no problem with the development of the child and the structure of the mother’s body.
Childbirth consists of exactly three stages. The first stage is the time from the start of regular contractions to full dilation, the second stage is the time from full dilation until the birth of the baby, and the third stage is the time that ends with the separation of the placenta.
How Does Normal Birth Begin?
Normal childbirth usually begins differently in each woman, but in 70-80% of women, it begins to appear in the last month of childbirth with mild preparatory pain. After that, the pains accelerate and the intensity of the pain begins to intensify every five minutes. In such a case, it is necessary to go to the hospital. Apart from that, it is also seen that the amniotic fluid, known as the discharge of water when there is no pain, is accompanied by a feeling of urine leakage. This indicates that childbirth has begun.
Normal Birth Stages
Normal birth consists of three stages. In the first stage, with the contractions in the uterus, the membranes in the amniotic sac begin to rupture, and bloody water in a snot-like structure begins to come from the uterus. The water known as this birth starter is actually amniotic water. The time of birth may differ from person to person. 90% of the birth time takes place at this stage. As a result of the birth pains occurring regularly every 10-15 minutes, the cervix begins to expand. At this stage, if you want to reduce your pain a little and relax, you can do these kinds of activities.
In the second stage, the cervix is 8-10 cm wide and childbirth begins. At this level, along with the contractions, the expectant mother also begins to push unwillingly, and the contractions last for 60-70 seconds every 2-3 minutes at the highest level. Meanwhile, the baby’s heartbeat continues to rest frequently. The more difficult it is to push the mother when the pain comes, the faster the baby’s head will come out and the faster the delivery will be.
In the third stage of childbirth, the mother carries her child in her arms. Although the baby is out of the mother’s womb, the placenta, which is the connecting link between the mother and the baby, is still in the mother’s womb. The placenta is removed from the mother’s womb with a little pressure and uterine massage. After the placenta comes out as one piece, it is sutured backwards if the entrance to the vagina is cut so that there is no rupture before delivery. At this stage, the patient’s bleeding is completely controlled and childbirth ends.
Benefits of Vaginal Birth
Vaginal Bith has many benefits for both the mother and the baby. The benefits of natural childbirth for the mother can be listed as follows;
- Since the invasive technique is never used in vaginal birth, it carries the least risk of side effects such as infection and bleeding.
- Vaginal birth patients can go home in less time.
- Women who have had a vaginal birth have fewer complaints of postpartum pain.
- In women who give birth vaginally, the baby feeds faster because the milk comes in faster.
- Women who have given birth vaginally feel very strong and have a sense of success during childbirth. According to research, it has been reported that women prefer to have a natural childbirth again in the next delivery, even though they are in a lot of pain.
Benefits of vaginal birth for babies
The benefits of vaginal delivery for babies can be listed as follows.
- Babies begin to encounter bacteria as soon as they enter the birth canal during a vaginal delivery. It is believed that a child’s introduction to bacteria is very important for the immune system.
- After birth, mother and baby meet faster, which is a very important and special moment for the first relationship.
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Babies can be fed more quickly because breast milk comes faster after a vaginal birth.
Vaginal Birth Symptoms
There are many symptoms of natural childbirth. Not all symptoms occur in all pregnant women. For example, some symptoms, such as a bloody discharge, may go unnoticed or not appear at all.
- Symptoms of natural childbirth: bloody discharge called attachment, regular contractions, water coming down, back pain, feeling relaxed, feeling energetic and happy, and frequent urination.
- Bloody secretions: A plug of mucus is placed in the cervix to protect the baby from infection in the womb. As the baby descends and is nearing birth, the tampon comes out with some blood. Thus, when the expectant mother goes to the toilet or in any case, she is faced with a pink or brown spot on her underwear. This spot is generally known as the engagement. This spot can be seen just before birth or a few days before birth.
- Regular Contractions: Regular contractions are the surest sign of the onset of labour. You can change situations to understand the difference between a real birth and a false birth. If the contractions do not go away or the contractions become more frequent and intense, then this is a real birth.
- Coming of water: The sac in which the baby is in the mother’s womb is filled with a fluid called amniotic fluid. With the onset of pain, the membrane of the sac ruptures and the amniotic fluid begins to flow. This is known as incoming water. If you do not have any symptoms and the water is coming out, you should contact the hospital as soon as possible.
- Back pain: During childbirth, your muscles may start to contract and stretch, which can affect the muscles in your back as well. For this reason, in some pregnancies, back pain can be noticed very clearly before labor.
- Feeling light: As the baby’s head enters the birth canal, the mother’s navel appears below. The mother feels lighter because the approach of the baby to the birth canal does not put pressure on the lungs as before.
- Frequent urination: Again, depending on the child’s descent, the bladder will contract and the mother’s urge to urinate will increase.
- Feeling happy and energetic: Some expectant mothers feel energized and happy when the birth is near.
At What Week Does Birth Begin?
Natural childbirth usually takes place between the thirty-eighth and forty-eight weeks of pregnancy. Births that begin before 37 weeks are called preterm, and births that start after 42 weeks are called late births. The above-mentioned birth symptoms can occur up to 4 weeks before the baby is born.
Circumstances that may prevent natural childbirth
Health problems that may prevent stress during childbirth, active infection of the expectant mother, previous uterine surgery, aneurysm in the mother’s brain, progressive myocardial problems, heart disease, genital herpes and warts, infectious diseases, myoma surgery, previous caesarean section. A narrowing of the mother’s pelvis is among the conditions that may prevent a normal delivery.
Problems with the position and heartbeat of the child, gastric rupture where the intestines of the fetus are outside the abdomen, cases of cinnabida and hydrocephalus, and the child standing sideways. In breech presentations in the first pregnancy and the baby weighs more than 4 kg or the baby’s heartbeat is irregular during postpartum follow-up, which is one of the most common causes.
Placenta and cord related causes: These are cases where the placenta completely covers the cervix or the baby leaves the placenta early and the umbilical cord hangs from the vagina before the baby is born and multiple pregnancies (twins and triplets).
Frequently asked questions about natural childbirth
Natural childbirth is a form of childbirth that women often dread, but is known to be the most beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Burjak Tok has answered all the questions women ask about vaginal delivery.
1- Who can give birth naturally?
Natural childbirth, also called vaginal delivery, can be performed by all pregnant women, with the exception of some rules.
2-Can a woman who has given birth by caesarean give birth naturally?
n order for women who have had a previous caesarean section to prefer vaginal for the next childbirth, at least two years have passed since the caesarean section, the baby weight is less than 4000g, and there is no uterine surgery other than cesarean section, such as uterine fibroids, maternal and child intensive care should be good The mother should not suffer from pelvic stenosis.
3-What awaits you in the first stage of childbirth?
In the first stage, the baby’s heartbeat will be listened to and the dilation of the cervix followed by the nurse or doctor.
4-What awaits you in the second stage of childbirth?
In order not to prolong the second stage, you have to squeeze with pains. The harder you push, the faster your baby will move through the birth canal. Eventually, the baby’s head pops out. Thus, after one or two severe strains, the baby is fully born.
5-How does natural childbirth happen?
Vaginal delivery occurs when labor pains begin, i.e. muscle contractions of the uterus, the cervix opens completely, and the baby enters the birth canal and exits the vagina, after removing the attachment that blocks the cervix.
6-What should be considered after a natural birth?
Natural childbirth After a vaginal delivery, it is important to keep an eye on the bloody vaginal discharge called lochia. The bleeding will decrease day by day, turn yellow and stop within an average of 3 weeks. This period is known as the postpartum period. It is the process of making an incision in the vagina, which we call an epiostomy, so that the baby can come out more easily during delivery. The solutions should be used regularly to care for the stitches in the area.
Medicines recommended by the doctor should be used, the baby should be breastfed with the correct feeding technique, and a regular and balanced diet should be followed to increase milk supply. Strictly 3 liters of water should be consumed per day. If the baby is not breastfed, you can express milk with a breast pump to prevent milk from accumulating in the breast to prevent breast abscess and mastitis. Psychiatrist help can be obtained if a mental condition is severely affected during the postpartum period. The baby’s vaccinations, supervision and the mother’s doctor in the first week after birth should not be neglected.
7- Are there risks of natural childbirth?
The risks of vaginal delivery appear with the prolongation of the delivery period and continue as follows;
- Child’s heart rhythm disorder,
- When the bladder is opened, the baby’s umbilical cord comes out of the vagina,
- In the event of premature separation of the placenta during childbirth, an emergency caesarean section may occur.
However, in the event of irregular and deep lacerations that may extend up to the anus and that occur in the vagina while the baby is out during delivery, the patient may need to be sutured under anaesthesia. In addition, there may be a risk of developing a prolapsed bladder and uterus in the elderly and difficult deliveries.
8-Will the vagina be the same after childbirth as it was before?
Although the postpartum period lasts for 40 days, it can take up to 6 months for the female body to return to its prenatal state. The vagina has a structure that heals very quickly. 40 days after delivery, the birth stitches have healed and the vagina returns to its previous structure.
