Normal Delivery: Stages of Childbirth

Definition

• Normal delivery, also known as vaginal delivery, is the process by which a baby is born through the birth canal without the use of instruments or surgical intervention.

Stages of Normal Delivery

Stage 1: Early Labor

• Lasts for several hours, sometimes days
• Cervix begins to dilate and efface (thin out)
• Contractions become stronger and more frequent

Stage 2: Active Labor

• Cervix dilates from 4-7 cm
• Contractions become more intense and frequent
• Woman starts to push

Stage 3: Transition

• Cervix dilates from 7-10 cm
• Contractions are very intense and frequent
• Woman starts to bear down and push

Stage 4: Expulsion

• Baby is born
• Placenta is delivered

Characteristics of Normal Delivery

• Spontaneous onset of labor
• Progression of labor is normal
• No fetal distress
• No complications during delivery
• Vaginal delivery without instruments or surgical intervention

Indications for Normal Delivery

• Mother is healthy
• Fetus is in a cephalic presentation (head down)
• Fetus is at term (37-42 weeks)
• No abnormalities in the birth canal or fetus

Benefits of Normal Delivery

• Lower risk of infection and complications
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery time
• Lower risk of cesarean section in future pregnancies

Normal Delivery

• Normal delivery is the process by which a baby is born through the birth canal without instruments or surgical intervention.

Stages of Normal Delivery

• Early Labor:
  • Lasts for several hours or days
  • Cervix begins to dilate and efface (thin out)
  • Contractions become stronger and more frequent
• Active Labor:
  • Cervix dilates from 4-7 cm
  • Contractions become more intense and frequent
  • Woman starts to push
• Transition:
  • Cervix dilates from 7-10 cm
  • Contractions are very intense and frequent
  • Woman starts to bear down and push
• Expulsion:
  • Baby is born
  • Placenta is delivered

Characteristics of Normal Delivery

• Spontaneous onset of labor
• Normal progression of labor
• No fetal distress
• No complications during delivery
• Vaginal delivery without instruments or surgical intervention

Indications for Normal Delivery

• Mother is healthy
• Fetus is in a cephalic presentation (head down)
• Fetus is at term (37-42 weeks)
• No abnormalities in the birth canal or fetus

Benefits of Normal Delivery

• Lower risk of infection and complications
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery time
• Lower risk of cesarean section in future pregnancies

This quiz covers the stages of normal delivery, also known as vaginal delivery, including early labor and active labor. Learn about the dilation of the cervix, contractions and more.