WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DELIVERY?
"Natural childbirth" used to describe a vaginal delivery without medication for pain or to start or speed up labour.
Vaginal delivery is the most common and safest type of childbirth. Some mothers will still choose to have other medical help during labour like a monitor for the baby's heart.
Sometimes the doctor has to use forceps (instruments resembling large spoons) to cup your baby's head and help guide the baby through the birth canal.
Vacuum extraction:In this procedure, the doctor apply a plastic cup with suction to the baby’s head and gently pull the baby from the birth canal.
The procedure your doctor might use will depend on the conditions that might arise while you are in labour. These assisted delivery procedures can include the following:
Induced labour:
Induction of labour usually means that labour needs to be started for a number of reasons. It is most often used for pregnancies with medical problems or other complications. Labour is usually induced with medications given intravenously OR gel/ pessary/tablet kept vaginally
Medical reasons for inducing labour might include:
Episiotomy:
An episiotomy is a surgical incision made in the perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus). The incision enlarges the vaginal opening to allow the baby's head to pass through more easily and to prevent tearing of the mother's skin. A local anaesthetic might be used in mothers who do not opt for an epidural during labour.
Fetal monitoring is the process of watching the baby's heart rate. This can be external or internal. In external fetal monitoring, an ultrasound device is placed on your abdomen to record information about your baby's heart rate, and the frequency and duration of your contractions. This can be used either continuously or intermittently.
A caesarean delivery might be planned advance if a medical reason calls for it, or it might be unplanned and take place during your labour if certain problems arise.
After your caesarean delivery, you and your new-born will stay in the hospital for about three days. Immediately after surgery, you will remain on an IV. This allows for adjusted levels of painkillers to be delivered into your bloodstream while the anaesthesia wears off.
Your doctor will encourage you to get up and walk around. This can help prevent blood clots and constipation. A nurse or doctor can teach you how to position your child for breastfeeding so there's no additional pain from the caesarean delivery incision area.
Your doctor will give you recommendations for home care after the surgery, but you should generally expect to:
Call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
Like any surgery, a caesarean section involves some risks. These might include:
The majority of women who have had a caesarean delivery might be able to deliver vaginally in a subsequent pregnancy. If you meet the following criteria, your chances of vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) are greatly increased: