Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Section

Vaginal Delivery

Most births will be through vaginal delivery — delivery through the birth canal (vagina). Vaginal delivery is the childbirth method most experts recommend for full-term healthy babies. It consists of three stages:

1. Labor

Labor is hard work! It is usually the longest part of childbirth. Your contractions may feel like strong cramps at first. As it continues your cervix slowly opens and contractions get stronger, longer and closer together. You are “fully dilated” or “complete” when your cervix is 10 centimeters dilated.

2. Pushing and Delivery

This stage may last a few hours. When your cervix is fully dilated and your baby’s head has moved into the birth canal you may be ready to start pushing. Your contractions move your baby down through the birth canal to the opening of your vagina. You help your baby along by pushing. This stage ends when your baby is born. Don’t be surprised if your baby’s head is swollen or cone shaped from squeezing through the birth canal. It will go back to normal soon.

3. Delivery of the Placenta

This stage usually begins right after the birth of your baby. It ends when the placenta is delivered. Your provider may massage your uterus by pressing gently and firmly on your abdomen. You may feel pressure, discomfort or pain. You will be monitored for too much bleeding after delivering the placenta. Your provider may give you additional medication to help control bleeding. Talk to your provider ahead of time to prepare if you would like to keep your placenta.

   

 

It is common to have tears from delivery. Your provider may recommend closing these tears with dissolvable stitches and will make sure you are comfortable during this time.

After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you and your baby will usually go home after 1 to 2 days of resting in the hospital. The healthcare providers will want to make sure you and your baby are OK.

   



C-Section

A C-section is a surgical procedure used to deliver your baby and placenta through incisions in your abdomen and womb. C-sections are needed when it is too risky to deliver vaginally.

You may have an epidural or spinal anesthesia that will give you pain relief during the delivery. You will be awake for the procedure if you have an epidural or spinal anesthesia. Sometimes it is not possible to have an epidural or spinal anesthesia. In this case you may be given general anesthesia. If you have general anesthesia for pain relief during delivery, you will be given medications that you breathe and in your IV. You are asleep during the delivery. A breathing tube and machine will help you breathe while you are asleep.

After an uncomplicated C-section you and your baby usually stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days. Your healthcare providers will want to make sure you can care for yourself and your baby and manage your pain.

Induced Labor

Sometimes your provider may want to help get your labor started. This is called an induction. This may be due to a complication or concern with you or your baby. Options for induction will be discussed if you and your provider decide to induce.


 Fast Fact

Skin-to-skin contact after birth helps to calm and relax baby and you. It regulates heart rate, breathing and temperature and stimulates digestion and the release of hormones to help breastfeeding.




 Did You Know?

Infants are healthiest when they are born at or after 39 weeks of gestation. Babies born earlier than 39 weeks may have to spend extra days in the hospital after delivery. They can have:

  • Breathing problems.
  • Trouble feeding.
  • Jaundice (yellow skin).
  • Trouble staying warm.
  • Learning and behavioral problems.


Delivery Before 39 Weeks

Sometimes there are medical reasons your provider recommends delivery before 39 weeks. Ask questions to make sure you understand the reason if your healthcare provider recommends an induction or C-section before 39 weeks.

Your baby may need to spend time in the NICU or SCN if born early or has other problems. The NICU and SCN are special areas of the hospital. These areas have staff and special equipment to care for high-risk newborns.



After Your Baby is Born

Medications Your Baby Will Get

Your baby will receive several medications in the hospital to keep them healthy.

  • Eye ointment: Prevents eye infections/blindness.
  • Vitamin K shot: Helps your baby’s blood clot to prevent things like bleeding on the brain and in the intestines.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: Protects your baby from hepatitis infection.

Tests Your Baby Will Get

Your baby will also receive some screening tests before they go home.

  • Hearing test: A newborn hearing screening is a safe and painless method to test whether or not your baby can hear well.
  • Newborn screening tests: A couple drops of blood will be taken from your baby’s heel to test for a variety of disorders.
  • Newborn cardiac screen: A sensor around your baby’s hand or foot will check the infant’s oxygen level to screen for serious heart defects.

 

Circumcision

If you give birth to a boy, it will be your choice if you'd like him circumcised. The skin that covers the end of the penis called foreskin. Circumcision is the removal of this foreskin. It exposes the tip of the penis. It is considered surgery and takes only a few minutes. The area is numbed to relieve pain. Your baby’s nurse or doctor will tell you how to care for your baby after circumcision. It takes 7-10 days for the penis to heal. Talk to your provider and your baby’s provider about the procedure.