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Normal delivery is the natural way of birth and is generally safer for the mother and the baby. However, some mothers opt for a c-section because they get anxious about labor pain.

Research highlights that 85% of pregnant women can have a normal delivery, and only the remaining 15% may need a c-section due to medical reasons. But statistics show that more than 30% of pregnant women undergo a c-section, suggesting that elective cesarean delivery has become prevalent (1).

While a c-section looks like an easier choice, it requires an extended recovery period and could pose complications during and after delivery. Hence, a suitable delivery option should be chosen only after contemplating the pros and cons.

Read on to learn some tips that may help raise your chances of normal delivery and some ways to help ensure you go through the labor process smoothly.

Normal delivery is a natural way of bringing the baby into this world. It is not difficult to have natural and normal childbirth unless you have some medical conditions. Moreover, the natural birth process helps in having a healthy baby and speedy recovery for the new mom (2).

Though there is no formula or shortcut to have a normal delivery, some measures can improve your chances of having a healthy and natural delivery.

Certain factors determine your ability to have a normal delivery. They may not guarantee a 100% result, though. You may have increased chances of a normal delivery if:

The above are the general health factors during pregnancy that influence your chances of having a normal delivery. You could also follow a few tips that could help increase the chances of normal delivery for you.

Normal vaginal delivery is the best way to give birth, both for the mother and child. And if you are hoping to go natural, you may follow these tips for a better outcome (4):

It is common to feel stressed during pregnancy. It is advisable to avoid stress, anxiety, and random thoughts because negative emotions can turn the process of childbirth into a nightmare.

You may come across both easy and difficult childbirth stories. Listening to negative stories would make you more anxious and may result in a panic attack.

Knowledge is power. Acquire as much knowledge as possible about labor and the delivery process.

However, do not be overwhelmed. Sometimes, too much information can also be a problem. When the time is right, the medical professional will help you get through the situation.

Have enough emotional support. Have your partner, mother, and close friends around so that they are there to boost your confidence and allay your fears about normal delivery.

It is a sad fact that many doctors look for convenience and convince mothers to have a C-section. So, it is important to choose a doctor who will manage your pregnancy appropriately.

If you can find an experienced doulaiXA professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to the mother, partner, and family to help with your childbirth, that’s half the battle won!

Water is vital for your health, more so now that you are pregnant.

Apart from drinking water, you can also use it to make the labor process easier.

If you want to know how best to cope with the birthing process, try the ice game that requires your partner’s participation too.

Keep your body aligned so that the baby can glide smoothly. Standing and sitting for extended periods, sleeping in awkward positions, and wearing high heels and tight belts could misalign your body.

Yes, it is important to achieve a decent amount of weight during pregnancy, but you don’t need to pile on the pounds. Overweight women can have problems during labor and may end up with a C-section.

Some people believe in chiropractic adjustments; some don’t. But you can give it a try and continue if you see good results with regular visits to a chiropractor.

Your diet plays an important role in keeping you healthy, thus paving the way for a natural birth.

A healthy mother means a healthy baby.

BromelainiXA type of enzyme found in the stem, fruit, and juice of pineapples is an enzyme that can stimulate labor and soften the cervix.

It may be an old wife’s tale, but many women swear by this trick (9)!

Do not begin any exercise without informing your doctor. Your doctor is the best person to know which exercises could suit your body. Here are some normal delivery exercises that help your baby reach an optimal birthing position and strengthen your pelvic floor (10):

Breathing is something you don’t even notice. But it is the one thing that can make the whole labor process easier, negating the need for a C-section.

Here are some breathing exercises for normal delivery:

Both are highly recommended exercises for pregnant women.

Indulging in mild exercises will not only build your stamina but also keep you active during pregnancy. Some exercises you can try are:

Yoga is not just a great way to a healthier body, but also a means to ease out your delivery.

Changes may occur a few weeks before the expected due date. And your doctor asks you to be on the lookout for these signs as they indicate labor. However, the signs and symptoms may vary from one woman to another, and from pregnancy to pregnancy.

Once you observe these signs, make sure to have your partner or any other person near you to monitor your condition.

So, why are we emphasizing natural birth all along? Find out next.

The answer is simple: birthing is a natural process, and the human body is designed for it. Leave alone a C-section; healthy women may not even require painkillers or epidural. Unfortunately, some health practitioners may assume that laboring women would need pain medications, or simply recommend a C-section to avoid pain (13). Kimberly Langdon, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says, “Spontaneous vaginal birth, also known as normal vaginal delivery, is the safest method of delivery for both mother and baby. With a vaginal delivery, the mother has a better chance of successfully breastfeeding after childbirth, a shorter hospital stay, a faster physical and psychological recovery, and a stronger mother-child bond. Vaginal delivery also benefits the baby by improving respiratory function, temperature regulation, and the development of a stronger immune system.”

But we will tell you why you should keep your delivery as natural as possible.

Vaginal birth takes shorter recovery time. Babies receive protective bacteria from the birth canal, which helps build their immune system. Passing through birth canal may also expel excess amniotic fluid from the lungs lowering the risk of respiratory diseases. In the case of a cesarean delivery, the resultant contractions followed by uterine stimulants (such as Pitocin drip), will become so fast and strong that you will not have enough recovery time. This passes less oxygen to the fetus. Also, epidurals could increase the likeliness of fever, forcing you to take antibiotics.

Babies delivered naturally adapt to breastfeeding with ease. The pain relievers given in C-section deliveries pass on to the baby through breastfeeding. Therefore, the baby shows abnormal suckling behavior shortly after birth. Also, the baby has difficulty latching and could show uncoordinated suck/swallow response for some hours or days.

You will stay alert and conscious of the nearing labor when drugs are not used. You will be connected to your body. Pain medications usually diminish a woman’s sense of being physically attached to the birthing process.

Natural delivery is always followed by a short recovery period as it does not involve any numbing medications, needles, or tubes over the body parts. You can walk around and indulge in physical activity without affecting your health. During the natural birth, the body produces pain-relieving and calming hormones or endorphins. But, if pain medication is used, the body will not produce as many endorphins.

Women who give natural birth feel more confident and empowered. It could make you feel stronger and less fearful about accepting other challenges that come in life (14).

Labor can be painful and exhausting, but once you are done, you are done! One of the most significant benefits of vaginal birth is that it entails a shorter hospital stay and recovery time when compared to a C-section.

A C-section is major surgery. So, if you can have a vaginal birth, you’ll not only escape going under the knife but also not have the numerous health risks associated with it, including severe bleeding, scarring, infections, reactions to anesthesia, and pain.

Skin to skin exposure is a great way to bond with a newborn. With normal delivery, it is easier for the mother to hold her baby and have a bond quickly.

The muscles working to push the baby out during a normal delivery can also squeeze out fluid from the baby’s lungs. That is why babies born via normal delivery are less likely to suffer from breathing difficulties.

Did you know that a normal delivery can be a boon for your baby’s immune system? Well, a baby gets a dose of good bacteria when it is traveling through the birth canal. This strengthens the baby’s immune and digestive systems (15).

After knowing about the goodness of natural birth, you must be wondering how our body can manage to go through this intricate process. Well, we explain it next.

Normal childbirth is divided into three stages.

Stage 1: It consists of three phases – latent, active, and transition – where the cervix effaces and dilates.

This initial step lasts from six to ten hours in first-time pregnancies. In some cases, it can be longer or shorter.

What Will You Experience?

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This phase lasts from three to six hours in first-time pregnancy and for a lesser duration in the subsequent deliveries.

What Will You Experience?

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This phase may last between 20 minutes and two hours in first-time pregnancy and for a lesser duration in subsequent pregnancies.

What Will You Experience?

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Stage 2: The baby is pushed out and delivered.

This stage begins with a fully dilated cervix. It lasts between half-an-hour and two hours in first-time pregnancies and reduces in subsequent births.

What Will You Experience?

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Stage 3: The placenta is removed from the body.

It is also called “the afterbirth,” which happens right after the birth of the baby. It usually takes about a few minutes to half-an-hour.

What Will You Experience?

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No matter how long the labor lasts, seeing the baby’s face and holding them makes it all worth the effort. But if you want to have a general idea about the duration of normal delivery, read on.

A normal delivery usually takes about 12 to 14 hours. This is in the case of first delivery, and the process gets shorter for subsequent deliveries (19).

However, the length and intensity of delivery change according to the below factors:

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