Childbirth & Delivery

As your due date approaches, you should consider your birth plan. However, when it comes to delivery, every woman will have their own unique experience based on their needs and how the actual situation unfolds.

While the overall goal is always to have a healthy mom and baby, you should write out a birth plan that specifies what is essential to you in terms of your child's birth.

A birth plan is what you would like to happen during labour and after birth. It can also include what pain relief you prefer and delivery positions you feel will be most comfortable.

Vaginal delivery is the most common type of childbirth, and if no complications occur, it is usually the most straightforward.

When it comes to vaginal delivery, there are three stages:

Labour is the longest of the three stages, and it is further divided into two phases - early labour and active labour.

Early labour is when you start to feel mild, irregular contractions. These contractions cause your cervix to dilate and soften so that the baby can move into the birth canal. Early labour can vary in length, sometimes even lasting for hours. For some women, these beginning contractions may just be uncomfortable, or they can be intense.

During the active labour phase, your cervix may dilate from 6 centimetres to 10 centimetres during the active labour phase. As a result, your contractions will become stronger and closer together, and you may feel nauseous. Your water will also probably break during this phase. If you are not at your delivery facility, you should consider going at this point.

If you wish to have an epidural to reduce the pain, you feel while giving birth, it is recommended that you receive it when you are 4 to 5 centimetres dilated.

When you are fully dilated and have the sudden urge to push, it is probably time for you to deliver your baby.

Childbirth can take a few minutes to a few hours, especially if you are a first-time mom or have had an epidural. Your doctor will be there to guide you through the process. They will advise you when to push, how hard to push and when to slow down so that your vaginal tissues have time to stretch instead of tearing.

Once your baby’s head has been delivered, the rest of the body should follow quite easily. At this point, your health care provider may clear your baby’s airway and cut the umbilical cord. They will then place your baby on your chest or abdomen for skin-to-skin contact.

While you are cherishing the moment of being able to hold your baby for the first time, you will enter the third stage of labour which is the delivery of the placenta.

This stage usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. You will feel mild contractions which help the placenta move down the birth canal before giving one more push to deliver it. If the placenta is not delivered intact, your doctor will remove the fragments to prevent bleeding and infection. If you have any tears in your vaginal region, you will receive a local anaesthetic injection, and your health care provider will stitch the area.

A caesarean section, commonly known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby that involves opening up the mother’s abdomen and uterus.

C-Sections can either be planned or a sudden decision made by your doctor if unexpected factors make a vaginal birth too risky.

Some examples of factors that could result in a C-section include:

• Your labour isn’t progressing
• Your baby is in distress
• Your baby is in an abnormal position, i.e. breech or transverse
• You’re carrying multiple babies
• There’s a problem with your placenta
• There’s a problem with the umbilical cord
• You have a health concern
• You’ve had a C-section before

This method of childbirth is considered major surgery, so you will need to be medically prepped. You will receive an epidural or spinal anaesthetic so that the lower half of your body becomes numb but still allows you to be awake for the procedure. If you need an emergency c-section, you will be put under general anaesthesia because an epidural would take too long to kick in.

Your OB/GYN will make an incision along your bikini line during the procedure. Next, they will cut through tissue and separate abdominal muscles before opening the uterus. You will feel a slight tugging sensation as your doctor lifts your baby out. They will then cut the umbilical cord, and your baby will be examined by medical staff before letting you see them.

The surgeon will remove your placenta while your baby is examined and then stitch everything back up. You will receive antibiotics to help prevent infection.

After your procedure, you will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days so that your doctor can monitor your recovery.

While everyone recovers differently, it usually takes longer to recover from a c-section than vaginal birth. Recovery from an uncomplicated cesarean can take anywhere between four to six weeks. You will need to get as much rest as possible afterwards and avoid lifting anything heavier than your newborn. You should wear loose clothing to avoid irritation on your scar. You will also need to clean it regularly to avoid infection. Avoid driving and exercising until your doctor gives you the all-clear.