Few events in a person's life can equal the emotion and drama of giving birth. Modern medicine has given pregnant women many options while having a baby; however, as a process that has been around since the beginning of time, the basics haven't changed. For most women, the process of giving birth involves a number of stages.
'Normal' Childbirth
Normal childbirth, also called natural childbirth, is when a baby descends down the birth canal and is born through the vagina. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 69 percent of all babies were born by vaginal deliveries. There are three stages that mark the progression of natural childbirth.
Stage One of Childbirth
The first stage of labor is the longest and can last from 6 to 16 hours. It includes three phases: an early phase, an active phase and a transition phase. The early phase is when contractions begin, though they may be irregular at first. Pain in this phase begins as mild to moderate cramping and backaches as the cervix begins dilating. The active phase is when contractions are regular, more intense and closer together. The transition phase is when the cervix dilates to a full 10 centimeters and the baby moves into the birth canal. This is the most painful phase and you may feel a strong urge to push.
Stage Two of Childbirth
The baby is born during stage two. This stage can last from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Your medical team will tell you when to push or wait and it's important to follow their instructions as waiting allows the cervical tissue to stretch. Once the baby's head emerges, the doctor will want you to pause in order to suction the baby's nose and mouth. Once the baby is born, he may cry despite still being attached to you by the umbilical cord. At this point, the doctor will clamp and cut the cord.
Stage Three of Childbirth
This stage lasts from when your baby is born through to the delivery of the placenta. Contractions should ease up, along with the pain, though there may be some discomfort while delivering the placenta. This phase is the shortest, lasting only 5 to 15 minutes. A nurse will ensure that the placenta is safely delivered and may massage your abdomen to ensure that the uterus is contracting normally and bleeding is controlled. Nurses will monitor you over the next few hours to be certain that you are recovering well.
Cesarean Section
Although a normal birth for most is a vaginal delivery, for 31 percent of women, a normal birth is a cesarean section, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Considered major surgery, cesareans offer a fast means of reaching a baby if there is trouble, but they also include possible complications such as hemorrhaging and infections. Many factors contribute to the use of cesarean procedures, including uterine abnormalities and previous cesareans.
