Tips To Have A Normal Delivery

One of the most extraordinary feelings for a woman in her life is childbirth. And it is also one of the most natural experiences a woman can have if it's by normal delivery. 

Childbirth happens in the world by two methods, the Normal Delivery or vaginal delivery and by Caesarean section, also known as C-section, or caesarean delivery. Globally, around 80% of births were vaginal delivery in 202l, with rates varying from 95% in sub-Saharan Africa to 45% in the Caribbean. The latter method accounts for almost 21% (1 in 5) of all childbirths in the world and is set to continue increasing over the coming decade, with nearly a third (29%) of all births likely to take place by caesarean section by 2030.

We will be focusing on Normal Delivery here because it is a natural method and considered the preferred method of delivery, with lower morbidity and mortality than Caesarean sections (C-sections). While a caesarean section can be an essential and life-saving surgery, it can put women and babies at unnecessary risk of short- and long-term health problems if performed when there is no medical need.

But What is Normal Delivery?

Normal Delivery, also known as Vaginal Delivery, is the process by which a baby is pushed out of the birth canal by the mother without the use of medications or interventions of any kind. It is also called Natural Birth.

Why Should Women Opt for a Normal Delivery? 

As childbirth is a natural process, it should be allowed to progress naturally. Normal Delivery or Vaginal Delivery benefits both mothers and their babies.

Benefits of Vaginal Delivery or Normal Delivery

• Helps avoid surgery, resulting in quicker recovery time and shorter hospital admission.
• Quicker onset of lactation.
• Decreased complications in future pregnancies, including placenta previa.
• Decreased infant respiratory conditions, including infant respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and respiratory-related NICU admissions.
• Improved immune function, possibly due to the infant's exposure to normal vaginal and gut bacteria during vaginal birth.

Things to do for Normal Delivery

1. Be Motivated for a Normal Delivery

One of the most important things to consider when opting for a Normal Delivery is to be Motivated. Yes! The rest of the things depend on this tip no. 1. You need to be confident about the desire for a normal birth as that will shape your journey. And to be confident about it, you need to read up and gain some knowledge. Learn about how safer normal delivery is for mother and child and why cesarean puts the mother at increased risk of serious complications in future pregnancies or surgery.

Get to know other mums' experiences and how they got their motivation and confidence.

2. Choose a Doctor with a High Normal Delivery rate

The second most important thing to do is to find a gynaecologist who herself prefers normal delivery. And this can be verified from previous records of her cesarean rate and normal delivery rate. You can find such doctors online by reading reviews or recommendations by their patients or you can ask around from your friends/relatives. It's also important to make it clear to your gynaecologist about your preference for normal delivery.

Since Researchers found that "not all the caesarean sections carried out at the moment are needed for medical reasons.", it is important to find and consult such a gynaecologist who herself suggests and prepares expecting mothers for normal deliveries.

3. Keep your Weight under Control & Exercise regularly

Another crucial tip for normal delivery is to maintain your weight during your pregnancy. Keep an eye on your weight and avoid gaining extra kilos.

‘Eating for two’ is actually just a myth!

In your first trimester, you only need  100 extra calories a day and 300 extra calories a day in the next two. That means adding the equivalent of an extra glass of milk in the first trimester; a glass of milk, an apple, and a couple of graham crackers in the second and third.

Maintaining a normal body weight is not a big deal if exercise is part of your daily routine. If you have led an inactive lifestyle, start with a 10-15 minute walk and gradually increase it to 40 minutes daily. Exercise helps you build the strength that is required to go through labour.

4. Pick a Birth Partner

Motivation, emotional support and holding hand helps a lot and ease the pain of the process in the labour room. Ask someone who you trust and can be with you there all the time, may it be your partner, mother, sister, relative or friend. 

Your partner should attend an antenatal class to learn how to give you a massage, help you with labour exercises and provide emotional support.

5. Be Confident & Trust Yourself

Childbirth is a natural process and ALLAH, The Creator has designed women's bodies to give birth. For centuries and generations, childbirths took place in homes without any complications. Normal birth is normal and all healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy deserve to have one. Trust your instincts to guide you through labour.

6. Attend Prenatal Classes

Prenatal, also known as antenatal classes will help you in many ways. 

Prenatal or Antenatal classes help pregnant or expectant women to aware of the problems that might occur during childbirth and how to handle them. Along with these, some exercises are taught to have an easy, less painful, and fast childbirth. So educate yourself well about the process of delivery and labor to face the delivery with a clear mindset.

Exercise Regularly

Work regularly on the mild exercises that are taught in the prenatal classes. Throughout pregnancy, exercises not only help to build good stamina but also keep you active. Regular exercises can help the body muscles to combat the stress of labor pains and exercises which work mainly on pelvic muscles help you to have a normal delivery. The most important thing is to exercise under the supervision of an expert, as wrongly done exercises can harm mother and baby as well.

Maintain A Healthy Diet:
Get Adequate Sleep:
Practice Right Breathing Techniques:
Drink Plenty of Water: