Giving birth, bringing a baby into the world is perhaps one of the most miraculous moments in the world. If all is well and the mother and baby are healthy, there is only one way to give birth and that is normal birth. The physiology of birth is defined as the natural vaginal termination of pregnancy. If there is no health problem, normal birth is the healthiest and most natural. In normal (vaginal) birth, interventions such as episiotomy (incision), vacuum, crystals maneuver (overhead compression) can be used when necessary.

Caesarean section should only be preferred if there is a health problem in the mother and/or the baby. Normal birth can be summarized in 3 stages.

Aşama 1: Latent ve Aktif Faz

In the first stage of labor, the mother begins to feel regular contractions. The cervix begins to open and soften. The first stage is the longest. During the latent phase, the cervix dilates and becomes thinner. During this phase, there may be a slight pink discharge. It is usually advisable to spend this period at home, in contact with your doctor or midwife.

In the active phase, the cervix expands between 6 cm and 10 cm. The contractions become stronger. Contractions lasting about 1 minute are felt regularly, on average every 4-5 minutes. It is time to go to the hospital.

In the last phase of the active phase, contractions become more frequent and come every 60-120 seconds. There is pressure in the lower back and anus. If there is a feeling of pushing, the mother should inform the midwife or doctor. If the pushing takes place in a controlled manner, supported by breaths, the chances of rupture and incision are reduced.

Stage 2: Birth of the Baby

The next stage after the end of the active phase is the birth of the baby. It can take a few minutes to several hours for the baby to be born. It is necessary to push actively under the supervision of a doctor. If the pushing takes place in a controlled manner, supported by breaths, the possibility of tearing and incision is reduced. After the baby’s head is born, the body will come out as soon as possible.

Stage 3: Separation of the placenta from the body

After the baby is born, the mother feels a great relief. No matter how long the labor lasts, no matter how much pain you have felt, the moment the baby is born and in your arms, everything is over in an instant, the pain is instantly gone and the euphoria of childbirth and the feeling of happiness pervades your whole body.

It is very important for baby and mother to have contact immediately after birth. Attachment has 3 points of contact: skin, eye and voice contact. The lamb is placed in the mother’s arms even before the umbilical cord is cut. He makes eye contact with his mother, she says “Welcome, my lamb, we love you very much” and thus the 3 contact points of attachment are realized in minutes. The first steps of secure attachment are taken. Lambs start life one step ahead.

After this process, the placenta, which provides the right environment for the baby to be nourished and born during pregnancy, leaves the body. The placenta is usually delivered between 5 and 39 minutes.

How Many Weeks of Pregnancy Is Normal Birth?

Normal delivery takes place between the 38th and 42nd week of pregnancy. 37. Births before the gestational week are called preterm births. 42. Births occurring after the first week of pregnancy are considered late births.

What are the Benefits of Normal Birth?

• The techniques used in normal labor are generally non-invasive. Therefore, the risk and possible side effects such as infection and bleeding are minimized.
• Mothers who have a normal vaginal birth recover faster after delivery. Complaints of pain are considerably less, especially compared to other interventional methods of delivery.
• Mothers who give birth normally can be discharged home earlier. This is beneficial both in terms of risk and economy.
• The pressure on the baby entering the birth canal helps the amniotic fluid in the lungs to drain. This reduces the risk of the baby having breathing problems.