Description

NORMAL/PAINLESS DELIVERY Normal delivery is the delivery of a baby from the uterus (womb), out through the vagina. Occasionally forceps or a vacuum device are required to assist, and this is known as instrumental delivery. The entire process of labor and vaginal birth takes an average of 13 hours in women giving birth for the first time, and 8 hours in women who have given birth before. However, the exact duration varies a great deal from one woman to another. 18 hours of first stage is considered ‘prolonged’, and 1.5-2 hours of second stage is considered ‘prolonged’. There are three stages of labor: • The first stage of labor is from the onset of labor until the cervix is fully dilated • The second stage of labor occurs from when the cervix is fully dilated till the delivery of the baby. • The third stage is from the delivery of the baby till delivery of the placenta and membranes. Benefits of a vaginal delivery For a normal low-risk pregnancy, vaginal birth is a safe option for women and their baby. Advantages of vaginal delivery compared with caesarean section include: • Babies have a lower incidence of respiratory problems, as it is thought that the contractions that occur during labor help prepare the baby’s lungs for breathing. • There is less risk of blood loss and infections to the mother. • Vaginal delivery is a natural process, and one which women’s body are designed for.; and • Despite the process of labor and birth itself being painful, women who give birth vaginally usually recover more quickly • Although there are many advantages of a vaginal delivery, in some instances, the risk of vaginal delivery for the mother or baby is too great to allow for vaginal delivery.in these cases we offer caesarean section for the safe delivery of the baby. Risks associated with a vaginal delivery The risks of vaginal birth include: • If the baby is in a breech position vaginal delivery may be very risky as it may lead to entrapment of the after coming head of the baby. • If there is severe tearing of the perineum during delivery, there can be significant damage to the pelvic floor. In some women, there may be long term consequences, including bladder or bowel incontinence, painful intercourse, or vaginal prolapse (when the walls of the vagina weaken, and the bladder or bowel bulges out into the vagina If the labor is too prolonged, particularly pushing in the second stage for more than two hours, the blood supply to the nerves that supply the pelvic floor muscles is decreased, reducing the function of these nerves. Rarely, there is long term loss of function of the muscles supplied by these nerves, which may cause incontinence. FAQs What is Painless Delivery? Painless delivery refers to the use of an epidural anaesthesia injection which is given by a specially trained anaesthetist doctor for pain relief during labour. How Epidural Injection is given? Epidural Injection is injected into the lower back, and a plastic tube is placed in, through which drugs are released around the spinal cord. Is it safe to take Epidural anaesthesia for painless delivery? Epidural anaesthesia is safe for the mother and baby, and it also provides relief from exhaustion and helps women to relax and make their birthing experience easy and comfortable. How do I prepare my body for normal delivery? Regular walking, exercise, squats and breathing exercises will help you prepare for labour. Can I have painless normal delivery? Yes, it is possible with the help of regional anaesthesia that provides adequate pain relief during natural labour.  

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