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Get Ready... For Natural Childbirth

Today, we’ll talk about natural childbirth, a method many mothers choose to experience the feeling of motherhood. Even though they endure the pain of uterine contractions during childbirth, it’s considered worthwhile as it is the most precious and joyful moment when they see their little one born into the world.

Natural Childbirth

Natural childbirth means giving birth by pushing without surgical intervention. It’s suitable for pregnant mothers with normal pregnancies who have no risks, preeclampsia, or any complications. The choice of delivery method depends on medical indications that must be considered, which are based on the safety of both mother and baby as the primary concern.

Advantages of Natural Childbirth

It has benefits for both the mother and the baby.

Faster physical recovery.
Less blood loss than a C-section and less wound pain.
No surgical wound or complications from surgery.
Boosts the baby’s immune system: Babies receive more immunity from probiotic bacteria in the birth canal than with a C-section.
Uterine contractions squeeze fluid from the baby’s lungs, reducing the risk of breathing problems.
Mothers experience a sense of pride from successful natural childbirth.

What Kind of Labor Pains Mean You Should Go to the Hospital?

During the 8th-9th month of pregnancy, pregnant mothers may experience uterine contractions, with pain increasing as labor approaches, including both Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor pains. To help mothers avoid confusion and reduce anxiety, it’s important to understand the various symptoms that occur before labor.

Braxton Hicks Contractions (False Labor)

Braxton Hicks contractions usually start around the 8th month of pregnancy. The uterus expands and moves lower as labor approaches, making the abdomen feel like a hard lump. Uterine contractions are irregular and inconsistent, with short, sporadic tightness in the lower abdomen. The pain can subside on its own with changes in position, such as standing, walking, sitting, or lying down. There’s no rupture of membranes (water breaking) and the cervix does not dilate.

True Labor

The uterus hardens, with regular, longer, more frequent, and continuously intensifying pain. It starts in the back and upper part of the uterus, then moves downwards. The pain does not lessen with movement; in fact, it may worsen significantly. There will be a discharge of fresh red mucus (bloody show) from the vagina, and “water breaking” (or rupture of membranes) occurs, which is clear, odorless fluid resembling urine that flows out gradually or gushes. True labor usually lasts about 8-12 hours for the cervix to fully dilate.

Stages of Natural Childbirth

Divided into 3 stages (including the delivery of the placenta).

Stage 1: Warning Signs

Divided into 3 sub-stages:

Early Labor: This is the initial stage of labor pain, where the cervix begins to dilate. It typically lasts about 8-12 hours (for first-time mothers).
Active Labor: This is the stage where labor pains intensify. It usually lasts about 3-5 hours or more.
Transition Phase: This takes approximately 20 minutes to 2 hours (for first pregnancies). If you’ve given birth before, it will be much shorter.

Early Labor

In this early stage, the cervix softens, thins, and slowly begins to dilate, about 3-4 centimeters. Uterine contractions carry on for 30-45 seconds every 5-30 minutes. This stage can take from a few hours to 2-3 days. You may feel a dragging sensation or a sense of contractions, but it’s not yet time for delivery. It depends on how much pain you can tolerate, but you can still do normal activities like watching movies, listening to music, changing positions, or showering. You might also experience other symptoms such as:

Mild diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting
Mucus or bloody mucus discharge from the vagina
Abdominal pain, similar to menstrual cramps
Lower back pain
Water breaking, appearing as clear or slightly pink fluid. However, if it’s blood or green in color, you should see a doctor immediately.

During this period, you may feel uncomfortable and tired easily before your due date, and these symptoms will gradually disappear. You should inform your doctor in detail about any symptoms that occur during this time so they can assess the risk and determine if you need to go to the hospital urgently.

How to Reduce Discomfort During This Stage:

Meditate, don’t stress, listen to relaxing music to unwind.
Change positions, move around, or walk.
Lie down in the most comfortable position.
Your partner can gently massage your body.
Practice breathing techniques to help relax.
Take a warm bath.

Warning Signs to Rush to the Hospital:

When you experience uterine contractions as long as 1 minute, with breaks every 5 minutes, and these symptoms continue for more than 1 hour, it’s a warning sign to go to the hospital immediately.

Active Labor

In this stage, the cervix dilates further from the early stage, to about 7 centimeters. Uterine contractions become more frequent, intense, and stronger. Contractions last 45-60 seconds every 3-5 minutes, with greater intensity than in the early stage. You will feel increasing labor pain in your lower back, abdomen, and thighs, and it might become unbearable. Mother can relieve the pain by focusing on your breathing to relax more. Your body will start producing and releasing endorphins to help you endure the gradually increasing pain.

Transition Phase

In this stage, uterine contractions last 60-90 seconds every 0.5-3 minutes. The cervix dilates further from the early stage to about 8-10 centimeters. Your emotions will change rapidly in a short period, and sometimes you may lose control. The uterus will shift from dilating to pushing the baby out through the birth canal. You will feel the urge to push during this stage. You will breathe faster and more frequently in response to the pain. Some may moan, cry out, or feel agitated and shiver. Stay calm and control your breathing well. This is the most challenging stage for you, as it is full of pain. Just a little more patience, as your baby is almost here.

Stage 2: Pushing the Baby Out

In this stage, the cervix is fully dilated and ready for delivery. It’s time for you to push the baby out, possibly with these accompanying symptoms: feeling pressure in the lower region, a strong urge to push, and intense pressure in the vagina. You will feel a natural urge to push (similar to the urge to have a bowel movement). When the time comes, the doctor will tell you to bear down with each contraction or guide your pushing rhythm to help you push with all your strength. The baby’s head is moving down. You will feel pain and a burning sensation, and with each uterine contraction, the baby will gradually move down. Your pushing will bring the baby’s head closer to the pelvis and down into the birth canal. Once the baby’s head emerges, take a deep breath, and the baby’s body will quickly emerge from the birth canal. Finally, your little one opens their eyes to the world. This is a precious and joyful moment of becoming a complete mother and starting a family.

Stage 3: Delivering the Placenta

After you’ve given birth to your baby, the delivery process isn’t over. The next step is for you to deliver the placenta and membranes. You might feel a heavy sensation in your vagina. Just a gentle push or two will easily release the placenta and membranes (for some, it might take 5-30 minutes for the placenta to be delivered). The doctor will thoroughly check to ensure the placenta and any other remaining parts have been completely expelled from the uterus to prevent bleeding or infection.

Postpartum Recovery

After delivering your baby and the placenta, it’s time for you to recover. This is also the best time to start breastfeeding your baby, as breast milk is the source of the best nutrients for your little one, rich in various essential nutrients, and provides immunity, acting as your baby’s first vaccine. Breastfeeding immediately after birth helps your body recover faster from childbirth. And while breastfeeding, cradling and making eye contact with your baby is also a way to build a bond of love and attachment between mother and child.

With BNH’s experience and expertise in maternal and child care,

BNH Hospital combines modern medical technology with the hospital’s midwifery traditions, passed down through generations, to provide comprehensive care for mothers from before conception, during pregnancy, and childbirth. We also emphasize breastfeeding and postpartum care for mothers. When your health is strong, you’ll be ready to care for your beloved child.

postpartum rooms.

For more information, please contact:

BNH Women’s Health Centre,

Obstetrics and Gynecology Department,