Childbirth: preparation, types and possible complications

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Childbirth is the process by which the birth of the baby occurs and therefore, it means the end of pregnancy. Although the natural form is vaginal or eutocic delivery (without medical intervention), there are also many dystocic births, the most common being cesarean delivery.

Vaginal delivery can be done with or without epidural anesthesia, so it is not always correct to call it natural birth.

Below you have an index with all the points that we will discuss in this article.

Index

Childbirth: preparation, types and possible complications

Types of birth

Although we usually speak of two basic types of delivery, natural / vaginal and cesarean delivery, there are also other ways of producing the birth of the baby, usually related to complications.

Next we explain the main characteristics of each type:



Vaginal delivery

The baby is born through the vagina thanks to the pushing of the mother. The usual position in this birth is called lithotomy: lying on the back and with the feet high at the level of the gluteus. However, there is a certain controversy with the posture, since many say that in natural childbirth it is better for women to be in an upright position instead of horizontal, as this is helped by gravity.

Vaginal birth

Delivery with forceps

In difficult vaginal deliveries, when the mother can not push more and the baby does not come out, forceps are used that are placed on the child's head and help to remove it. Its use is not usual.

Delivery with forceps

Delivery with suction cup

The obstetric suction cup is an instrument that, like the forceps, helps to extract the fetus through the vaginal canal. It is used in problematic situations, to avoid cesarean section.

Caesarean section

Also called abdominal delivery, is to extract the child through an opening at the height of the abdomen. It is therefore a surgical intervention. It is more common in births of risk or multiple pregnancies. If you want to know more about this type of birth, I recommend you visit this link: cesarean section.

Cesarean birth

Premature delivery

Also called preterm delivery, it occurs when the baby is born before the 37th week of gestation. Childbirth can occur in any of the three ways above. These babies can have health problems because they are born prematurely. The severity will depend on how long the birth has been.

Preparation for childbirth

There is nothing specific that helps us predict the exact moment when labor will occur. In fact, during the last month of pregnancy, the body gradually prepares for this moment.

Among the main changes that show that the body of the pregnant begins to prepare for delivery we highlight the following:

  • Decrease in the pressure in the rib cage, as the baby begins to descend and fit into the pelvis.
  • The increase in uterine contractions.
  • The cervix begins to expand and soften.
  • Breakage of a mucous plug.
  • The so-called "water break".

Due to vaginal dilation, the mucous plug that has kept the cervix closed during pregnancy is expelled. It is a small amount of thick discharge that sometimes appears blood stained. It can be expelled all at once or over several days.

Although expulsion of the mucous plug marks the start of uterine dilation, labor may occur immediately after or after a few days.

Water rupture refers to the expulsion by the vagina of the amniotic fluid that covers the baby during the 9 months of pregnancy. There are women who break water before they begin to feel contractions and others in which the rupture of the amniotic sac occurs when they have been for a while with strong and regular contractions.

You can check this link for more information about childbirth preparation.

Duration of labor

The duration of delivery depends on each birth, but usually lasts between 6 and 15 hours. Childbirth begins with the first contractions until the dilation of the cervix occurs and thus its length is shortened.

From the 4 centimeters of dilation a more active stage begins and the contractions are stronger and more frequent. When you reach the 10 cm dilated can begin to leave the baby.

The duration of the arrival of the baby can take between 2 and 8 hours, it is necessary for the mother to push so that the child can leave. The time of this period varies a lot between new mothers and those who have previously given birth.

Childbirth with or without epidural

The epidural is a local anesthetic placed in the epidural space that blocks the nerve endings at the level of the bone marrow. Although it is an anesthesia used is many other surgical interventions, it is known as the anesthesia of childbirth.

Although it is a very safe form of anesthesia and with few side effects, not all pregnant women want to wear it, as some prefer to feel the birth completely.

Place epidural anesthesia for delivery

Among the main advantages of epidural injection, we highlight the complete elimination of pain, both in vaginal delivery and cesarean section, without the woman being aware of the delivery of her child.

However, it also has disadvantages such as prolongation of delivery time or an increase in cases in which episiotomy is needed or forceps used.

In the case of Cesarean delivery, since it is a surgery, anesthesia will always be applied. In most cases the epidural is applied, although there are some situations in which general anesthesia is recommended.

If you want more information on the advantages and disadvantages of childbirth with and without epidural, I recommend you read this article: the epidural.

Questions from users

What are the advantages of childbirth in the water?

It is a type of birth in which the woman gives birth with the lower half of her body submerged in hot water. This favors relaxation and therefore makes labor easier for many women. In addition, the passage from the womb to the outside is more gradual and therefore less traumatic for the baby, which will be enveloped by hot water during its first seconds of life.

It is important to note that not all births can occur under water, because in some conditions it can be contraindicated. Therefore, it is essential to always consult with the doctor.

To carry out this type of delivery, it is necessary that the uterine dilation has reached 3-5 cm. If the woman gets into the water too soon, the contractions may slow down. However, when the dilation is already active, the water shortens its duration.

It is recommended that the mother is not more than two hours in the water, as this could relax her too much and complicate the expulsion of the fetus.

Is homebirth recommended?

It is generally advised that the delivery takes place in a hospital center where the woman can receive quality medical care. In addition, although complications in childbirth are currently few, in the event of an altercation, medical intervention is much quicker and more effective if the woman is already in a specialized center.

What are the particular characteristics of the twin delivery?

First of all, it is important to note that approximately half of the twin deliveries are done by cesarean section. The key factor that will lead to one type or another of childbirth is the position of both babies. Being two, it is more complex that both are well positioned so that vaginal delivery can occur without complications and therefore, cesarean delivery is more common than in cases of single birth.

On the other hand, if it is a monoamniotic monochorionic pregnancy, a cesarean section must necessarily be performed. Because both babies are in the same placenta and the same amniotic sac, their umbilical cords are more likely to interlock and lead to complications in vaginal delivery. Therefore, in these cases, a cesarean is usually done.

What is induced labor?

Induced delivery occurs when, for different reasons, it is necessary to provoke delivery through medication. It is done when, by medical indication, it is recommended to end the pregnancy due to the possibility of risk for both the mother and the fetus.

The pregnant woman receives intravenous oxytocin, which will cause regular uterine contractions that will favor the dilation of the uterus and thus the expulsion of the fetus.

There are also situations in which it is performed, in addition to the administration of oxytocin, the artificial breakage of the amniotic sac. Thus, we get the baby's head to lower and press on the cervix.

Is it possible to have a natural birth without pain?

Yes, the placement of epidural anesthesia allows the woman to give birth naturally without pain.

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