Vaginal Delivery

What is a vaginal delivery?

A vaginal delivery occurs when your baby is born through your vagina (birth canal).

What are the stages of labor for a vaginal delivery?

•First stage: Your uterus will contract to help your cervix dilate (open). Your contractions will soon occur more often and get stronger. The fluid sac that surrounds your baby in the womb will break open. Your caregiver will break the sac if it does not break by itself. You may need medicine to induce (start) your labor. You may also be given pain medicine. You may need to move in bed, stand, or walk to help your baby move into position for birth. The first stage ends when your cervix is dilated to 10 centimeters.

•Second stage: When your cervix is dilated, you are ready to push during contractions to move your baby through your birth canal. Caregivers may use forceps or suction to help deliver your baby. You may also need an episiotomy (incision) to make the vaginal opening larger. The second stage ends with the birth of your baby.

•Third stage: Once your baby is born, your caregiver will put clamps on the cord that connects your baby to the placenta. The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby during pregnancy. The cord is then cut. Your uterus continues to contract to push out the placenta. The third stage ends when your placenta is pushed out.

What happens after a vaginal delivery?

If you have an episiotomy or a tear that occurred during the birth, your caregiver will close it with stitches. Caregivers will check your baby's skin color and how active he is. You may be able to hold your baby soon after he is born. Once caregivers have checked that you and your baby are okay, you will be taken to another room.

•Activity: Your caregiver may suggest you get out of bed to sit in a chair or walk. Activity can help prevent blood clots.

•Breast care: If you will breastfeed, ask caregivers to show you how to hold and breastfeed your baby. Ask how to care for your breasts, even if you are not breastfeeding.

•Uterus care: A caregiver may massage your abdomen several times to make your uterus firm. This can be uncomfortable. You may have abdominal pains for up to 3 days after you give birth because your uterus is still contracting. The contractions help release blood from inside your uterus so it shrinks back to its normal size. These contractions may be stronger and hurt more while you breastfeed your baby.

What are the risks of a vaginal delivery?

•You may get a blood clot. The clot may break loose, travel to your lungs, and cause trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening. You may develop an infection in your uterus, urinary tract, or perineum tears. You may need a blood transfusion or surgery to stop your bleeding during delivery. The nerves in your perineum and legs may be damaged. If you have had a C-section before, your uterus may tear during a vaginal delivery. Tears that occur in your vagina, perineum, or anus will need to be closed with stitches. After a vaginal delivery, sex may be painful. You may also have a uterine prolapse (the uterus falls into the vagina).

•Forceps or suction used to help deliver your baby may injure your baby's face or head. The tools may also damage the nerves in your baby's neck and arm. He may also be at risk for bleeding in his brain. He may get a hematoma (blood pooling under the skin) from birth with or without tools. A hematoma may cause your baby to have jaundice (yellow skin).