VAGINAL DELIVERIES

Because each mother and baby are unique, no delivery is the same. Dr Mutanda-Musoke is able to support and guide you towards choosing the best birth plan for you. Giving birth can be life changing and leave you with an experience to remember for the rest of our life. Because your pregnancy sets the tone for motherhood, it is important to ensure you are comfortable and confident in your birth plan and choices regarding labour and delivery. With Dr Mutanda-Musoke’s support and guidance, you will be able to choose the delivery plan that best suits your pregnancy and reduce any stress when your baby arrives.

Choosing vaginal birth delivery

Choosing to deliver your baby vaginally is an option lots of women go for. Although painful, Dr Mutanda-Musoke will be able to prepare you before-hand for what to expect and discuss whether or not you want a natural birth with little medical intervention or whether you are considering pain relieving medications. While many women believe vaginal delivery is the right way to give birth, Dr Mutanda-Musoke emphasises that each woman and her pregnancy is unique and you have the right to choose whatever option you wish.

Pain relief during vaginal birth

If you opt for a vaginal birth, you may choose whether you want pain-relieving medications or not. You may feel pressure and pain during contractions which ultimately increase up until your baby is born, you will be advised when to push, which is also painful, however, pain-relieving medications such as epidurals can help manage your pain.

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What happens during vaginal delivery?

During the early stages of vaginal birth, the Amniotic sac (the fluid-filled membrane surrounding your baby) ruptures which is what people call your ‘water breaking’. Your water will usually break before going into labour, however sometimes it doesn’t. You will then begin to feel tightening and releasing of your uterus, which are known as contractions. The contractions feel like pressure moving thru pelvic region.

Contractions are however, not always a sign of labour as they could be Braxton-Hicks contractions which are a false alarm. If your contractions last for 60 seconds and are 5 minutes apart, you can consider this contractions and you are going into labour. After lots of contractions, your cervix will begin to dilate, or open enough, to allow the baby to move through. Active labour is considered when the cervix is 3 centimetres or more. Once you are 10cm dilated, your obstetrician will guide you to begin pushing your baby through the birth canal. Once your baby is born, the worst of the pain is over. You will then continue to have mild contractions and deliver the placenta.

If you haven’t experienced any complications during the labour process or delivery, your baby will be taken for a minute or two to have some tests done before you are able to meet and hold you baby for the first time. Some mothers feel an immediate intense bond with their baby while others feel detached at first – how you react is a unique experience and absolutely normal.

If you are overdue, it may be that you require induced labour. Labour is induced at 41 weeks at the latest, when you or your baby’s life is at risk, or your contractions haven’t started yet. Pitocin (a synthetic version of the labour-inducing hormone) may be given by your obstetrician if this is the case.

There are a number of issues that may cause your obstetrician to opt for plan B of your birth plan, a caesarean section (or C-section). Complications such as placental problems, your baby’s size weight or age, your baby being in breech position, labour stalling, foetal distress, or a prolapsed umbilical cord or a uterine rupture require a caesarean section. Although this may not be your first choice, Dr Mutanda-Musoke may choose to perform a C-section for the safety of you and your baby.

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