How to Increase Your Chances of Having a Normal Delivery

Did you know that statistically around 33% of women have a C-section instead of vaginal delivery due to a lack of knowledge? So, if you are wondering whether you can have a normal delivery, you are at the right place. It may not be the right option for everyone, but you can increase your chances of having vaginal delivery with these simple tips.

Vaginal or normal delivery is nothing but delivering the baby through the vagina with no surgical necessity. It typically occurs between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. To give vaginal birth, your cervix needs to dilate properly. Cervix dilation will start at the time of uterus contractions. The cervix needs to dilate up to 10 cm to deliver vaginally.

Many pregnant women prefer to have a normal delivery instead of a C-section because it carries fewer risks of complications. Recovery time is also shorter for those who have a normal delivery, usually just a few days to a week, whereas women who have a C-section need to rest for at least 6 weeks. Although there may be less pain during a C-section delivery, the real challenges come after the surgery.

The 9th month of pregnancy is the final stage of the third trimester. If you are close to your due date, you must be thinking about your delivery too. You might even be feeling anxious about it. Although it is very common and understandable, remind yourself to stay calm. Here are some tips for normal delivery in the 9th month that will help you prepare for the big day.

• Continue your regular prenatal yoga to treat common discomforts like back pain and ankle pains. Additionally, squatting can help to strengthen pelvic muscles.
• Eating balanced food, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated can play a vital role in the third trimester.
• Learn about the normal delivery process and prepare yourself mentally. Birth classes can help too.
• Try to avoid labour stories that can induce stress and have a happy time with your family.

Diet and Nutrition

A healthy diet is the first key to normal delivery. Follow the given tips throughout the pregnancy.

• Eat a variety of foods to fulfil your pregnancy cravings.
• Along with taking supplements like folic acid and iron tablets, focus on complete nutrition.
• Include whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice in your diet to increase energy levels.
• Have vitamin C and vitamin B-12-rich foods for a healthy pregnancy.
• Calcium-rich foods are important for muscle strengthening, which helps in normal delivery.
• Limit your intake of packaged, high-sugar, and processed junk foods.
• Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, which helps in the baby's brain development.
• Also, having dates in the last month of pregnancy can help you have a shorter labour duration.

Exercise and Physical Activity

There is a myth that excessive physical activity and exercise are harmful to the baby's growth. But in fact, normal daily physical activity is required to have a normal delivery. Swimming, squatting, walking, and prenatal yoga help you stay fit and conscious at the time of delivery.

Evidence shows that pregnant women who indulge in some physical activities are less likely to experience postnatal problems. Muscle-strengthening movements like pelvic floor exercises help you push your baby easily during labour. However, you should start exercising slowly and in comfortable positions.

Preparing your body for childbirth is crucial for a smoother, more manageable delivery and faster recovery. Focusing on physical fitness helps build strength, improve flexibility, and boost stamina, all of which are vital during labour. It also reduces the risk of complications and promotes better postpartum recovery. Here are some key exercises designed to strengthen your body and prepare it for the challenges of childbirth, ensuring you’re physically ready for the journey ahead.

Kegel Exercises

In normal delivery scenarios, pelvic muscles play a vital role. Hence, pregnant women have to strengthen their pelvic muscles through regular workouts. Kegel exercises help a lot in tightening these muscles. The perfect technique to do Kegels is imagining that you are sitting on a marble and you're tightening your pelvic muscles to lift it. Keeping this in mind, tighten your muscles and relax them immediately. Repeat the same process at least three times per day. When you are doing Kegels, be careful about your abdominal muscles, and if you feel any discomfort, please stop the exercise immediately.

Perineal Massage

Perineal massage helps stretch the muscles around the vagina which can be very beneficial during labour. Not to mention, you will find it very relaxing too. This massage can be done with the help of your partner. He may use his index finger to massage your perineal instead of his thumb. In case you are doing it yourself, use your thumb for convenience. You can place your thumb just inside the back wall of your vagina and apply pressure down towards your perineum. If you find it uncomfortable or painful, please stop immediately.

Having a caring husband and supportive family members is required to welcome a new life. Pregnancy and labour are never easy without a supportive family and someone to take care of you. Also, creating a supportive environment at the time of labour is necessary. Maintain healthy relationships with your gynaecologist, nurses, and other supporting staff. Clear your doubts before labour starts and stay confident during childbirth. When you have a support system around you, you will find it much easier to have a normal childbirth.

To increase the chances of having a normal delivery, you can try the following tips

• Reduce your stress levels by thinking about good times with your loved ones. It's important to keep a calm mind throughout the pregnancy.
• Surround yourself with positive people and avoid negative situations that make you uncomfortable.
• Always choose a healthy diet over junk foods or unhealthy packaged foods.
• Focus on exercises and physical movements. But do it at your convenience.
• Be mentally prepared for normal child delivery and learn everything about the birthing process. For this, you can take childbirth classes and consult experienced mothers to gather helpful information about normal childbirth.
• Getting enough sleep is the most important thing during pregnancy. Get plenty of restful sleep to stay well-prepared until your baby arrives safely.
• Also, stay in touch with your gynaecologist and keep them posted about your health updates.
• Last but not least, drink a lot of water. Remember, your baby needs it too.

Staying Active and Upright During Labour

Staying active during labour is very important for a normal delivery. At the time of labour, you must be in an upright position for a better outcome. When the mother is in the upright position, the baby can get a constant supply of oxygen comfortably. This position provides a soothing movement for childbirth. Additionally, using rocking chairs can help pregnant women stay in an upright position. When you are active and upright at the time of delivery, you are likely to have a shorter labour. You might also not feel the need for an epidural. Before labour, you should walk around the room to help the baby come closer to the vagina.

Breathing Techniques and Relaxation

It is common to feel stressed and anxious at the time of labour. But these breathing and relaxation techniques can help you stay calm and focus on the baby's arrival.

1. Expand your lungs while inhaling, hold it, and then exhale slowly.
2. Abdominal breathing is another important technique to expand your abdominal walls. Remember to practice this technique with your mouth closed.
3. By keeping your hands on your rib cage, follow the chest breathing technique with continuous inhaling and exhaling.
4. Open your mouth and take quick, short breaths. This technique is called the panting technique since it can look similar to a dog panting.

Your experience of a normal childbirth depends on your healthcare team. So it is crucial to have a good team around you. Ideally, you should start looking for them as soon as you are pregnant. Your healthcare team includes gynaecologists, nurses, physiotherapists, and paediatricians for your baby's care. Having a good healthcare team is important because they will guide you throughout your pregnancy.