FAQs On Normal Vaginal Delivery
by PRIYANSHU SAXENA Medi MarcomQ- What is normal Vaginal Delivery?
Ans- Routine vaginal delivery refers to the delivery
of a baby through the birth canal without surgery. Women will experience
contractions which indicate the beginning of labor and the cervix begins to
widen (dilate). When the uterus is fully dilated, the baby's head will begin to
appear and the baby will come out of the vaginal canal.
Q- Who are the candidates for
normal vaginal delivery?
Ans- Routine vaginal delivery is for women who do not
have complications such as carrying more than one child or carrying a baby that
shows signs of distress.
Q- What are the alternatives to
normal vaginal delivery?
Ans- Cesarean Section (C-Section) which is delivery
through an incision in the abdomen.
Q- How do you prepare for normal
vaginal delivery?
Ans- During pregnancy, you will have plenty of
time to prepare for childbirth. Here is a list of things to consider prior to
delivery:
Choosing a
hospital
Child birth
classes
Breast
feeding classes
Compiling a
packing list for the hospital
Preparing
the sleeping area and having ample supplies on hand
Arranging
for household help if possible
Arranging for where you will deliver
the baby and how you will get there are very important decisions as you will
not know when you will go into labor.
Childbirth decisions such as whether to
deliver your baby drug-free or with the assistance of pain medications is
entirely your decision. You should discuss the details of these options and
more with your doctor well in advance of your delivery.
Q- How does normal vaginal
delivery take place?
Ans- Your body makes some amazing
changes in the days and hours leading up to your baby's birth. A day or two
before labor begins; the mucus plug that sealed off your uterus detaches from
the cervix and passes through your vagina. This discharge is sometimes called
"bloody show" because it is tinged with blood.
Before labor begins or in the early
stages of labor, your amniotic sac may rupture and you may feel fluid trickle
or gush out of your vagina. If your "bag of waters" does not break on
its own, your doctor may rupture it manually. Explore your pain-relief options
before you go into labor. Some women aim for a drug-free delivery and rely on
various breathing techniques, massage, visualization, hypnosis, and other
strategies to ease the pain of labor. Others prefer pain medication or regional
anesthesia (such as an epidural, which numbs the lower half of your body).
Contractions happen when your uterine muscles involuntarily tighten and relax.
When true labor begins, you feel contractions at regular intervals. As labor
progresses, these contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together.
During active labor, you may feel intense pain or pressure in your back or
abdomen during each contraction. You may also feel the urge to push or bear
down, though your doctor will ask you to wait until your cervix is completely dilated.
Contractions help your cervix dilate --
or open -- so your baby can pass through the birth canal. You're fully dilated
when your cervical opening measures 10 centimeters. As the cervix opens, it
also thins (effaces) in preparation for delivery. When your cervix is fully
dilated, your doctor gives you the OK to push. Propelled by your effort and the
force of your contractions, the baby makes his way through the birth canal. The
fontanels -- soft spots --on his head allow it to mold to the shape of this
narrow passage. Your baby's head "crowns" when the widest part of it
is at the vaginal opening. As soon as your baby's head emerges, the doctor
suctions amniotic fluid, blood, and mucus from his nose and mouth. More
contractions and pushing help deliver the baby's shoulders and body. The doctor
clamps and cuts the umbilical cord and examines your newborn. It's not over
yet: After your baby is born, more contractions help you deliver the placenta,
or "afterbirth."
Q- What is the normal vaginal
delivery recovery process?
Ans- After your delivery, you will be able to hold
your baby. If your baby has special needs or any medical problems, your baby
may be moved to another unit or room. For vaginal delivery, your hospital stay
will generally last for up to 48 hours. Your recovery from childbirth depends
on your circumstances. You may experience any of the following:
Vaginal
soreness - some women undergo an episiotomy, a surgical cut made by your doctor
to enlarge the opening of the vagina. This wound or a natural vaginal tear will
be sore after delivery and you may ice the area to relieve some discomfort.
Vaginal
discharge - a discharge called lochia will occur for up to eight weeks after
delivery. Sanitary pads are recommended for discharge as opposed to tampons to
reduce the likelihood of infection.
Hemorrhoids
- hemorrhoids are stretched and swollen veins around the anus that are common
after childbirth. To relieve discomfort associated with hemorrhoids, you may
soak in a warm bath, the affected area. You should eat a high-fiber nutritious
diet as well.
Sore breasts
- after delivery your breasts will become sore and enlarged. This is due to
your breasts expressing milk for your baby.
Difficulty
in urinating - the tissues around the urethra and bladder may be swollen after
delivery and may cause you to have difficulty in urinating.
Contracting
and releasing the pelvic muscles can help as well as applying hot or cold packs
to the area.
You may return to normal activities
such as exercise as soon as possible to gain strength after delivery. Depending
on your body, this may be two to four weeks after delivery. Start slow and
gradually increase your level of activity. Avoid strenuous activities such as
running at first. You should wait about four to six weeks before having sexual
intercourse to reduce the risk of infection and bleeding. Many women experience
"baby blues" or post-partum blues after delivery. Women may
experience mood swings, anxiety, weepiness and regret for a few days or up to
two weeks after delivery. Some women may actually suffer from post-partum
depression which is a more severe case of the blues and usually lasts well
beyond two weeks. If you have suicidal thoughts or experience feelings of
hopelessness, you should seek professional help immediately.
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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.