Hey there folks! Today we are going to dive into a topic that often comes into the minds of every mom-to-be: Types of deliveries.
Now, when most people think of delivery, they might immediately imagine a pizza guy knocking on their door or a Daraz package arriving on their doorstep. But, when it comes to childbirth, there are different methods of birth that expectant mothers can choose from. So, it is just not a matter of pushing and hoping for the best.
From the classic vaginal birth to the modern C-section, we will explore the good and the bad side of each. This will help you decide which one might be right for you. So, grab a snack, put your feet up, and get ready to learn all about the different ways of birth out there!
Table of Contents
Common Ways of Birth
There are several ways a baby can be delivered and all types of deliveries come with their pros and cons. Here are some of the common ways of birth that you can opt for.
1. Vaginal Delivery: The Classic Method
The most common method of delivering a baby is through the vaginal canal. This is considered to be the classic method of delivery and is typically what most women choose.
Vaginal delivery can be done with or without pain medication and the length of the labor varies from woman to woman. It must be noted that vaginal delivery does come with its own set of risks like tearing and bleeding. But still, it is one of the safest options for women.
Though the exact time of birth is not definite, a vaginal birth out of other types of deliveries usually takes place after 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Under labor contractions, the baby secrets some specific hormones for the development of the infant’s lungs and brain. When the baby is pressed through the birth canal the baby’s chest is squeezed to eliminate all amniotic fluid and expand the lungs.
Vaginal deliveries also help women heal from birth trauma quite quickly and return home with their infants.
2. Natural Childbirth: Bringing the Baby Home
The popular type of birth in recent years is natural childbirth. This method does not involve any medical procedures or invasive therapies.
The best gynecologists at the top hospitals of Pakistan i.e. Hameed Latif Hospital say, this type of birth compared to other types of deliveries is a personal choice and is considered if the mother is committed throughout the procedure. There are certain exercises and poses suggested by the doctors to the mom-to-be in order to deliver naturally.
A midwife stays with the mother all the time during the delivery and ensures that everything goes smoothly and that the mother is in good spirits.
The delivery can take place at home or at a hospital. Now, when it comes to the discomfort of the pain, it can be eased by using water birthing or pool birthing. The most pleasant out of all is the water childbirth. For a new mother, the natural birth of the child is extremely powerful.
The skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother soon after the delivery can help the mother and child form a strong attachment. This delivery out of other types of deliveries can also cause hormones in the body that immediately begin production of the milk in the breasts. This solely happens as soon as the baby gets skin-to-skin with the mother.
3. Caesarean Section: Times When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Sometimes, the mother has to opt for cesarean delivery over vaginal delivery due to certain conditions that might cause a risk to the mother or the baby if the delivery is allowed to happen through the vaginal route.
To deliver the baby, the abdomen and the uterus are opened surgically in order to remove the baby. The name cesarean is derived from the Latin word ‘caedare’ meaning ‘to cut’ therefore this type of delivery is also called C-section.
C-sections as compared to other types of deliveries are made a choice based on the parameters. These are revealed after sonography due to conditions like the presence of twins or triplets. It is also done in cases, where the baby is too big or in transverse presentation.
In other cases, the labor begins as a vaginal delivery and fails after a complication arises. These complications can vary from the breech position during delivery, to an obstruction in the birth canal. In these cases, the doctors will perform a C-section and remove the baby from the uterus promptly.
Studies also suggest that there are some risks that come with Cesarean Section.
Read ways to manage stitches pain after C-section to explore more.
4. Induced Delivery: Starting Things Off
In some cases, the labor needs to be induced which means starting the labor artificially. This can be done in many ways, by breaking the mother’s water or by just medication. This doesn’t usually occur in other types of deliveries
Most of the time, an induced delivery is opted when the baby is overdue (1 or 2 weeks beyond the due date), there is an infection in the uterus, the baby is in distress, or the mother has a health condition (high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or diabetes before pregnancy) that can make the delivery risky.
No doubt induced deliveries have their pros but one of the cons is that the chances of a C-section increase with induced delivery.
A scheduled induction is the starting of labor for convenience when there’s no medical need. It can also be useful for women that live far away from the hospital.
5. Assisted Delivery: Getting Help from Forceps or Vacuum
An assisted vaginal delivery is when the obstetrician uses forceps or a vacuum device to get your baby out of the vagina, unlike other types of deliveries. Assisted deliveries often happen when:
- The mother becomes too fatigued to continue pushing
- The mother has been in labor for a long time
- Labor doesn’t progress the way it should
- The baby and mother show signs of distress
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Dr. Rabbia Ashraf who is the best gynecologist in Lahore says that the choice of procedure recommended by the gynecologist depends on the condition of the mother and child. Assisted delivery procedures can include the following:
Forceps delivery: Forceps are a tong-like surgical tool obstetricians use to grasp the baby’s head in order to guide them out of the birth canal.
Vacuum Extraction Delivery: In a vacuum extraction, your obstetrician places a small suction cup on your baby’s head. The cup is attached to the pump that pulls on the baby while the mother pushes.
Here is a list of the best gyne hospitals in Lahore to make a choice from.
When to Contact Healthwire!
Different types of deliveries come with different pros and cons. It is on you to make a choice after consulting with your doctor. If you feel like your due date is near make sure to contact the best female doctors near you as soon as you can. You can do that by visiting Healthwire for a hassle-free consultation with top gynecologists all over Pakistan.
