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The normal delivery process is childbirth, which takes place through the vagina without any medical intervention. This is also called vaginal delivery, and the entire process goes through multiple stages. All these stages have different medical terminology, and the protocols for care or addressing any concern at each of these stages vary for both the gynaecologists and the pregnant women. This article is an attempt to break down these stages for new mothers with tips that will help them get through every stage and deliver safely.
Synopsis
Types of Vaginal Delivery
1. Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD)
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Definition: Labour begins naturally and progresses without medical induction or instrumentation.
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Process: Occurs in three stages—cervical dilation, birth of the baby, and delivery of the placenta.
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Benefits: Faster recovery, lower infection risk, and enhanced immune exposure for the baby through natural flora transfer.
2. Induced Vaginal Delivery
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Definition: Labour is initiated by medical means, synthetic oxytocin, or artificially breaking the water (amniotomy).
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When used: Employed when pregnancy surpasses term or conditions like hypertension, gestational diabetes, or delayed labour are present.
3. Assisted (Operative) Vaginal Delivery
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Definition: Involves tools like forceps or vacuum extractors to assist with delivery during the second stage of labour.
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Forceps delivery: Metal instruments grip and guide the baby’s head; used when rotation or traction is needed and cervical dilation is complete.
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Vacuum delivery (ventouse): Vacuum cup attached to the baby's scalp to gently assist descent; this typically causes less maternal trauma but can risk newborn scalp bruising.
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Indications: Utilised if labour stalls, the mother is exhausted, fetal distress occurs, or medical conditions prevent effective pushing.
Let's begin by knowing what the three stages of childbirth are in case of a normal delivery.
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3 Stages of Normal Vaginal Delivery
1. Early Labor and Active Labor
To deliver the child, the cervix needs to be stretched and fully dilated, and this process of dilation happens in the first stage, which is called early labour.
Early labour is the stage which is often spent at home, and expecting mothers can perform the usual activities. They will feel contractions and dilation of the cervix of about 4 centimetres.
Active labour is when the contractions are stronger and more frequent. They can occur at an interval of 3 to 4 minutes and can last up to a minute. At this stage, the mother needs to be taken to the hospital. In this stage, the cervix is expected to open from 4 to 7 centimetres. At this stage, the water breaks, and you will feel a gush of fluid flowing through, but you need to relax to aid complete dilation of the cervix. Following this stage comes the transitioning stage, wherein the cervix opens up to 10 cm wide. This is the most painful and stressful stage, but it's optimum for vaginal delivery.
2. Delivering the Baby
Once the cervix is fully dilated, the healthcare provider signals the mother to push the child. The infant is pushed head-first down the delivery canal because of the frequent contractions. The expecting mother's medical professional might advise her to push after each contraction. The mother will experience a strong pressure that is comparable to the urge to urinate. At this stage, the doctor may perform an episiotomy, a procedure in which a surgical cut is made at the opening of the vagina to make it wide, aid the delivery, and minimise the damage to the surrounding tissues.
3. Delivery of Placenta
Contractions do not end here; they continue to push out the placenta. Now this process is known as the afterbirth. After the baby is born, the placenta might be delivered within a few minutes to an hour. The doctor might advise the mother to breastfeed the child because doing so triggers uterine contractions. Alternatively, the medical professional could give the new mother a light abdominal massage to encourage placental separation.
While some babies may need a little more time, most are ready to nurse within a few minutes of birth. If the woman is willing to breastfeed, healthcare providers typically ask her to nurse the baby as soon as possible after birth.
Visit the best gynaecology hospital in Gurgaon to get the finest gynaecology treatment with the help of a team of experts at Manipal Hospitals.
Benefits of Vaginal Delivery
There are various advantages of normal vaginal delivery, which include:
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Fewer chances of infection.
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Short hospital stay.
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Faster recovery.
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Lower risk of developing respiratory problems in kids.
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Better chances of breastfeeding and giving skin-to-skin contact straight after the birth.
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Can take better care of babies and themselves after vaginal birth.
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Less likely to develop complications in future pregnancies.
Risks of Vaginal Delivery
The risks involved in normal vaginal delivery include:
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Vaginal tear.
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Rupture of the uterus.
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Postpartum haemorrhage.
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Baby emerging from the shoulder or feet first.
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Urinary leakage post-delivery.
Postpartum Recovery Period
Your journey to recover from delivery is another phase that will cause inconvenience, and you cannot afford to switch from the healthy routine that you had been following during your pregnancy. In this phase, you need to stick to mindful eating and making healthier choices. The following are some challenges you may face during this time:
- Vaginal discharge and bleeding.
Mothers generally observe a heavy blood flow in the initial days after the delivery. You must visit the doctor if the flow is too heavy and there is a need to change the sanitary napkin every hour or two.
- Vaginal soreness.
The vaginal tear may take 4 to 6 weeks to heal. You may discuss the same with the doctor, and he might give you certain painkillers or stool softeners so that there is less pressure on the pelvic region.
- Pain while urinating.
You will feel a burning sensation or pain while urinating because of the bruising or swollen tissues around the bladder and urethra. Doing exercises recommended by doctors, increasing water intake, and consuming high-fibre foods can heal and offer some relief. If nothing helps, you must visit the doctor for topical medication, stool softeners and supplements that may aid the healing.
- Contractions
Contractions post-delivery are normal, and it connotes that the uterus is shrinking to its normal size.
- Hair loss
The increase in hormones that occurs during pregnancy prevents hair loss. The hormone levels normalise after giving birth, causing the hair to regress to its usual cycle of growth and loss.
- Mood swings
It's common for new mothers to experience regular mood swings after giving birth, including annoyance, frustration, and anxiety. Postpartum depression is another condition that many new mothers experience. You may opt for psychological counselling,
which can be therapeutic and give you a break to relax for a while. To know more about mood swings, read our blogs on psychological changes.
Recovery From Vaginal Delivery
For at least two weeks after a typical vaginal delivery, the vagina typically remains uncomfortable and tender. Within seven to ten days, your energy level should return. Depending on your general state of health, a full recovery could take six weeks or perhaps more, especially if you suffered a perineum tear during delivery. The timing of your return to exercises and other activities following a typical vaginal delivery depends on your general health.
Conclusion
At Manipal Hospitals, we have a gynaecologist in Gurgaon who can guide and offer the needed medical support to expecting mothers. We encourage vaginal deliveries, and to support that, we have a well-developed facility having a 24*7 blood bank, highly advanced OTs, NICU, and highly trained nurses to take care of the mothers and their little ones. Contact us today for consultation or treatment.
Stay hooked to the Manipal Hospitals official blog page to read accurate and reliable information on various health topics.
FAQ's
Yes. Many high-risk pregnancies, such as those with well-controlled hypertension, diabetes, or singleton breech, can still result in safe vaginal births under careful medical supervision. However, conditions like placenta previa, active genital herpes, uterine rupture risk, or fetal malpresentation often require planned C-sections.
No. Most women with single, head-down (vertex) pregnancies at term are candidates for vaginal birth. Contraindications include breech or transverse lie, active genital herpes, placenta previa, significant uterine scarring, fetal distress, or multiples like conjoined twins.
Expect soreness or mild tearing in the perineum, vaginal bleeding (lochia) for up to six weeks, uterine cramping, breast engorgement, and emotional shifts like the “baby blues”. Most women stay 24 hours in the hospital, begin light walking, and receive support for breastfeeding and recovery care.
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Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD): Labor begins naturally and progresses without instruments.
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Induced Vaginal Delivery: Labor is medically started using medications or amniotomy.
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Assisted (Operative) Vaginal Delivery: Uses forceps or vacuum extractor to aid birth during complications like fetal distress or prolonged labor.
Visit our website or call us to book an appointment with our expert and highly experienced gynaecologist in Gurgaon. Our doctors will provide a personalised treatment plan that focuses on comprehensive care.
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