How to give birth normally: stages and tips for preparation

It seems that not a few pregnant women are worried about giving birth in a normal way. In fact, normal delivery can be said to be the main hope of many mothers, before being advised to take other childbirth paths due to various other conditions. Before experiencing a normal delivery procedure firsthand, let's peel the methods and tips one by one below!

What is the procedure and how to give birth normally?

Even though it is the dream of most pregnant women, not a few mothers are also worried about the procedure or how to give birth normally. In general, here are the ways of each step of normal birth that you should understand:

1. Cervical (cervical) opening

Entering the days or hours before birth, usually the cervix (cervix) will begin to widen.

However, this dilation does not take place suddenly, but rather step by step as a way for the body to be able to give birth normally.

Latent (early) phase

First of all, the cervical opening is only about 3-4 centimeters (cm) wide. Sometimes, this condition is accompanied by contractions that disappear and come on erratically. This part, called the early or latent phase, is part of the normal birth mode.

These contractions usually last about 30-45 seconds, with a gap of 5-30 minutes between contractions.

Unlike real contractions just before normal delivery, these initial contractions tend to be light and irregular, which are known as false contractions.

Here, you usually feel that the body has undergone a gradual change as the beginning of the normal way of giving birth. However, the discomfort at the beginning of this normal delivery method is generally still very mild.

So that breathing can be more regular, try to breathe with a slow but fairly regular tempo. Here's a breathing technique that you can do according to the American Pregnancy Association:

Take regular breaths. Start with as many breaths as you can when the contraction begins, then exhale afterward.
Focus your attention.
Inhale slowly through your nose, then exhale through your mouth.
Make sure you focus on relaxing your body with each inhalation and exhalation as you breathe out.

Active phase

Subsequently, cervical dilation then progresses to 4-7 cm, with contractions that are noticeably stronger than before.

This is a sign that you have reached the active phase of normal delivery, with the condition of the cervix opening faster and wider.

The length of time the contractions last is generally around 45-60 seconds, with a break of 3-5 minutes. The discomfort in this normal childbirth phase will feel stronger than before.

You can immediately see a doctor in preparation for a normal delivery later. Pain and intense pressure can also occur on your back and stomach whenever you experience a contraction.

Not infrequently, you may feel like you have an urge to get something out of your body. At this stage of normal delivery, you have to regulate your breathing so that the pain is less.

After the contractions have gotten worse, now is the time to apply light breathing techniques to make the body more comfortable when giving birth in a normal way. Here's how:

Take regular breaths. Start with as many breaths as you can when the contraction begins, then exhale afterward.
Focus your attention.
Inhale through your nose, then exhale through your mouth.
Regulate your breathing as best you can as the force of the contraction increases.
If the contractions seem to increase at the beginning, try not to be out of breath.
Likewise, if the contractions increase gradually, adjust your breath to relax your body.
Breathing rate accelerates as contractions increase, so try to inhale and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Maintain a regular breathing rate for about 1 breath every 1 second, then exhale.
As the force of the contraction decreases, slow down your breathing rate.
Gradually, return to breathing by taking a breath in through your nose and expelling it through your mouth.
When the contractions are finished, take as many breaths as possible and then exhale them all while exhaling.

Transition phase

Doctors usually ask you to wait so as not to push until the cervix is completely wide open during a normal delivery.

The cervix in normal delivery is said to be fully open when it reaches 10 cm in width.

This means that you have entered the transitional phase and will be ready to implement normal childbirth in a few moments. Don't be surprised, because in this phase, the contractions feel much stronger and annoying as a normal delivery process.

Contractions can last about 60-90 seconds, with a break of 30 seconds to 4 minutes. Still like in the previous phases, you should also apply breathing techniques in the transitional phase, which is one way to give birth normally.

At this stage, the breathing technique combines the process of light breathing and breathing longer to be able to give birth in a normal way.

The following are the stages of breathing techniques that you can do in the transitional phase as a way to give birth normally:

Take regular breaths to make it easier to give birth in a normal way. Start with as many breaths as you can as the contraction begins.
Next, exhale and try to relax.
Focus your attention on one point to smoothly apply the normal birth method.
Take a light breath through your mouth at a rate of about 5-20 breaths in 10 seconds during the contraction.
On the second, third, fourth, or fifth breath, exhale more and longer.
When the contractions are finished, take a deep breath or two while inhaling.

2. Push and deliver the baby

After the cervix is fully opened wide and accompanied by the appearance of contractions feeling very intense and strong, now comes the moment to be looked forward to. The normal birth process will begin in a moment.

In addition to your body having a strong urge to push, your doctor will usually give you a signal to try your hardest.

There is no need to worry, because here the position of the baby's head and body is ready to go out through normal delivery.

The baby's head is very close to the vagina, so it will come out first. Then this will be followed by the body, hands and feet that come out when you give birth in a normal way.

Apply the correct pushing position

How to push during normal childbirth should not be done carelessly. Here's the right position to push when you practice how to be able to give birth normally:

The body is lying down, with your legs bent and wide open to make it easier for you to give birth in a normal way.
Concentrate the strength of the contraction by lifting your back slightly so that the head is in a slightly awakened position, while pushing as if you are pushing something.
Tuck your chin over your chest, then apply proper breathing techniques while pushing (described below).
Take a deep breath, then exhale while pushing the body by pushing as if you were passing a bowel movement.
Give your body a little rest before starting to inhale again, and let your head fall asleep again.
Repeat this and try to stay calm while following the normal doctor-guided delivery method.

Apply proper breathing techniques

At this stage of normal delivery, your breathing should also be considered. Here's the right breathing technique when pushing to be able to give birth in a normal way to make it smoother:

Take regular breaths to make it easier to give birth in a normal way. Start with as many breaths as you can when the contraction begins, then exhale afterward and release any tension you feel.
Focus your attention on the position of the baby so that it moves down and out of the vagina.
Breathe slowly and let the contractions guide your breathing. You can speed up your breathing to make your body more comfortable when you give birth in a normal way.
When you have to push down, take a deep breath first, then tuck your chin against your chest, and lean forward as if you are pushing something. Try to relax your pelvis as you push and breathe.
After 5-6 seconds, exhale and then inhale and exhale as normal as part of the normal delivery routine.
Before starting to push and catch your breath again, take this break to take a deep breath to provide oxygen to both you and your baby.
Between the time the contractions end, try to reduce the urge on the baby. This will help keep the baby in that position and prevent it from re-entering the uterus.
When the contractions are over, relax your body and take a breath or two to calm your body after giving birth in a normal way.
Repeat the breathing technique while straining while listening to the doctor and medical team for instructions during normal delivery.
During this process, you shouldn't be screaming because it will actually use up your energy which could actually be used to push harder.

Benefits of breathing techniques for pain relief

A study published in the journal Midwifery, found that applying proper breathing techniques is an effective way to manage pain during normal delivery.

This is because as long as you do the breathing technique, your mind will focus, preventing the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Apart from that, breathing techniques can also stimulate the release of endorphins which act as natural painkillers in practicing normal childbirth.

Thinking about the pushing and breathing techniques during normal delivery might make you a little confused.

However, this process usually occurs naturally. You can feel for yourself when to inhale, exhale, and push hard during normal delivery.

The strength and weakness that you exert when pushing during childbirth in a normal way can also be felt later by themselves. The key, try to stay focused and understand your body's abilities when giving birth in a normal way.

Doctors and the medical team involved in the birth process will continue to help and assist you. Follow everything the doctor says to make it easier for you to undergo or apply the normal way of giving birth.

The stages of the baby coming out through the vagina

The harder you try to push and push the baby, the sooner the baby will pass through the vagina. When you know the baby's head is starting to appear, of course there is a sense of relief and happiness in itself.

The doctor and the medical team will later give you a signal to stop pushing. This step is done while cleaning the amniotic fluid, blood, and mucus that may stick in the baby's mouth and nose.

That way, the baby will find it easier to breathe and cry when his body is completely out. Next, the doctor will position the baby's head by rotating it, so that it can come out parallel to the body that is still in the vagina during normal delivery.

The doctor will then ask you to try to push and push again as a way of giving birth normally to remove the baby's shoulders, followed by the body and legs. Finally, the baby comes out completely and is continued by cutting the umbilical cord.

3. The process of removing the placenta

The discharge of the baby does not coincide with the discharge of the placenta. Therefore, you still have to try to push a little more in order to remove the placenta in the uterus which is part of the normal delivery method.

Only after the placenta is removed, the doctor will suture the vagina, which was previously opened wide enough to allow the baby to escape during normal delivery.

Overall, every mother has a different length of time and method of normal delivery. This is usually determined by physical condition and previous birth experiences.

4. After giving birth

You have been going through all the processes and methods of normal childbirth well. Now enter the recovery phase of the body and breastfeed the baby.

However, it does not mean that the uterine contractions during normal delivery have stopped completely before. The uterus will continue to contract in order to shed the blood vessels in the place where the placenta attaches.

You can start breastfeeding your baby now, by doing early initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) within 30-60 minutes after normal delivery.

Although it may take a little patience, over time the baby will usually start looking for the mother's nipple to feed. As much as possible, allow skin-to-skin interaction (skin to skin contact) happened naturally.

Apart from being a process of approaching the baby after giving birth in a normal way, this early breastfeeding can also stimulate the release of the hormone oxytocin.

This hormone is responsible for causing contractions and making the uterus feel tight after giving birth in a normal way.

That is why, the contractions in the uterus in the stages of normal childbirth will slowly subside, along with the release of the hormone oxytocin.

The doctor will usually ask that you and your baby be in the treatment room for a while. This depends on the condition of you and the baby after giving birth in a normal way.

After you feel healthy and there are no problems after the normal delivery process, you and your baby will be allowed to go home.

Tips for preparation so that the normal delivery process runs smoothly

It takes careful preparation so that you are fully prepared before going through the process and giving birth in a normal way. Here's an easy way you can do before normal delivery:

Avoid stress and excessive anxiety.
Keep a positive mind, especially about the labor process later.
Gather as much information as possible about the birthing process.
Ask for support from family and closest people so that they can apply the normal way of giving birth smoothly.
Make sure you have determined the doctor, midwife, and place of delivery later.
Eat and drink enough and regularly.
Try to increase your physical activity, such as doing breathing exercises, walking leisurely, yoga, and others.
Always get enough sleep.

Don't forget, always consult your doctor regularly, especially in the weeks and days before your birth so that you are ready to give birth in a normal way.