As an expectant mother, you might have heard a lot, about how natural delivery is best for a mother and baby. Although this is the correct way to give birth, the vaginal delivery process may require the assistance of a health care practitioner.
This is because as beautiful and strong as your body is, it may have its limitations. Help doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem, it is a way to make sure there is no trouble.
For example, if you haven’t been able to push the baby out for a long time without success or are unable to push anymore, chances are you’ll need help. In most cases, assistance avoids a C-section procedure and allows you to deliver naturally.
Below are the types of assisted natural childbirth:
The support you need will vary depending on your specific situation and the dynamics of labor. Below are some common helpful natural childbirth procedures:
induced labor
In many cases, labor may need to begin before the natural course begins; This is called inducing labor. There can be many reasons for this, including pregnancy complications, delayed labor, etc. The drug used is a synthetic form of oxytocin, called Pitocin.
Below are some common reasons one may ask to induce labour:
• high blood pressure
• Delayed labor (past the due date)
• membrane rupture
• Lack of amniotic fluid
• Other complications like IHCP (cholestasis of pregnancy), hypertension, gestational diabetes, etc.
Amniotomy – “breaking the bag of water”
The normal course of labor will sometimes reach a point when the bag of water bursts and the fluid surrounding the baby comes out. However, in the case of amniotomy, it is done artificially before or during labor.
Below are some reasons that call for an amniotomy:
• To induce labor
• Monitoring contraction patterns in the uterus by placing an internal monitor
• To assess the presence of meconium which is the baby’s first stool
An amnio hook that resembles a crochet hook will be used by the doctor to break the bag. The baby should be delivered within 24 hours of breaking the bag to prevent any infection.
Episiotomy
While most women may not need this, in certain circumstances, the doctor may need to make a surgical incision in the skin between the anus and vagina. This incision in the perineum serves the purpose of enlarging the vaginal opening so that the baby’s head can pass through easily and the mother’s skin is not torn.
Below are 2 types of episiotomy incisions:
Midline incision: Here the cut is made towards the anus.
Mediolateral incision: This type of cut is oblique away from the anus.
If a woman has not opted for an epidural for labor, a local anesthetic will be applied for the episiotomy.
Forceps Delivery
If the baby’s head almost reaches the vaginal opening, but the mother gets tired of pushing or the baby does not come out, forceps delivery may be preferred. Forceps are basically like 2 large forceps and the doctor will insert them into the vagina to secure around the baby’s head. The doctor will then gently try to pull the baby’s head out. The rest of the baby’s body is then born normally.
vacuum extraction
This procedure where a small suction cup is used to pull up the baby’s head to facilitate delivery. The vacuum is created using a pump and the baby is pulled down. This may cause bruising on the baby’s head but this will stop within about 48 hours of birth.
Fetal Monitoring
Sometimes during labor and natural delivery, the health care practitioner may need to keep a constant check on the baby’s heart rate. This can be done externally or internally. This is known as fetal monitoring and ensures that the baby’s heart rate is within normal limits for a vaginal delivery.
Don’t worry, just be prepared
Whether or not you need help will depend on how things turn out, so it’s a good idea to know about them in advance so you can decide.