Normal Birth (Vaginal Birth)
Normal birth is the way humankind has given birth and continued its line for thousands of years. It is also called vaginal birth. In a full-term pregnancy, normal vaginal birth begins with labor pains, that is, uterine contractions, whose onset cannot be predicted in advance, and consists of 4 stages that also include the delivery of the placenta (afterbirth) and the first 24–48 hours after birth. For mothers-to-be who are pregnant and giving birth for the first time, normal vaginal birth unfortunately takes longer and can be somewhat more tiring than for women who have given birth before.
In terms of timing, every mother-to-be who has completed 37 weeks of pregnancy should start expecting labor. The period from 37 weeks up to 42 weeks is when birth is expected. Births before 37 weeks are called early, or preterm (premature), births. Pregnancies that continue beyond 42 weeks are called post-term (overdue) pregnancies, and in that case it becomes necessary to start labor with medicines, commonly known as induction, to prevent risks to the baby caused by the pregnancy going past term.
The first stage of labor begins with the onset of uterine contractions and ends when the cervix has opened wide enough for the baby to be born (about 10 cm). This is the longest and most tiring stage of labor. For mothers-to-be giving birth for the first time, this stage can last about 18 to 24 hours. For women who have given birth before, it lasts about 12 hours. Because this first stage is the truly exhausting part of labor, the mother-to-be should take care during it and avoid activities and behaviors that would tire her and waste the energy she will need for the birth. One of the most common mistakes at this stage is pushing. Pushing does not help the baby move forward when the opening ahead is not yet wide enough, and it only tires the mother needlessly. During this stage, breathing exercises should be done with each contraction, waiting for the pain to pass.
The second stage of labor begins when the cervix reaches an opening of about 10 cm, wide enough for the baby to be born, and ends with the birth of your baby. This is the stage in which the mother-to-be has the most work to do. The second stage is the truly demanding phase, in which strong and effective pushing by the mother, guided by her doctor, is needed and speeds up the birth. This stage lasts about 2 hours for first-time mothers and about 1 hour for women who have given birth before. During this stage, it is very important for the mother-to-be to work closely with her doctor and midwives and to follow her doctor’s instructions.
The third stage of labor begins with the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta (afterbirth). By this stage the mother can relax. The pain and contractions have gone, and first contact with the baby has been made. From here on, the process is actively managed by your doctor. You have completed the main task that fell to you, successfully seen through the contractions and pushing needed for your baby’s birth, and reached the happy ending.
The fourth and final stage of labor covers the first 24–48 hours after the delivery of the placenta, by which time you will be resting in your room with your baby. During this time, the first postnatal care for you and your baby is given, any necessary treatment is provided and your bleeding is monitored.
EPIDURAL BIRTH
Epidural birth is a type of birth in which, during a normal vaginal birth, a local anesthetic is given into the epidural space of the spinal canal through a fine needle in the mother’s lower back, to reduce or even completely block the pain she feels. It is popularly known as a “princess birth”. It has many advantages, but also disadvantages. It helps the mother-to-be feel almost no pain during labor and promises a comfortable birth. However, the reduced pain means the mother may lose the urge to push and the uterine contractions may weaken, which prolongs labor. With an epidural, the first stage of labor may extend to more than 24 hours in women giving birth for the first time and up to 18 hours in women who have given birth before, and the second stage may extend to 3 hours in first-time mothers and up to 2 hours in women who have given birth before. In such cases, mother and baby may begin to tire, and an assisted birth, using vacuum extraction and various maneuvers, may become necessary.
Unfortunately, normal vaginal birth has increasingly become something people fear. There are various reasons for this, but it is not a fear that cannot be overcome with healthy preparation for vaginal birth during pregnancy. With a healthy pregnancy and mental preparation, there is no reason not to have a normal vaginal birth. As long as your doctor has not identified an additional health problem, when the mother-to-be wants a normal vaginal birth, prepares herself both physically and mentally and has her family’s full support, normal vaginal birth will be a demanding, yes, but equally beautiful experience for you.
Regular exercise, weight control and breathing exercises throughout pregnancy will make labor easier. Regular exercise keeps the mother-to-be’s muscle strength up, making birth easier through stronger pushing, and also helps her recover more easily after birth. Likewise, avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy will make it easier for the baby to move through the birth canal during labor.
Birth is a different experience for every mother-to-be. So you should never compare yourself with another pregnant woman. Even different pregnancies of the same woman can progress very differently from one another. So please do not compare your own journey with the stories you hear from others about pregnancy and birth, and do not let the bad experiences you hear about dampen your motivation. Please remember that you will always get the most accurate information from your doctor. Throughout pregnancy and birth, your doctor and our expert midwives will be your greatest source of support.
We wish you a healthy, peaceful pregnancy followed by a smooth birth, and the joy of holding your baby in your arms.