Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

Compiled and Summarized by Alex
Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery a.k.a. Vaginal Birth, Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery, Normal Vaginal Delivery, is the term used to describe any delivery of the baby through the vagina (versus a c-section delivery). The baby typically comes through head first. If the baby is not head first, (e.g., breech) it may need to be delivered by c-section.

Variations

When the amniotic sac has not ruptured during labor or pushing, the infant can be born with the membranes intact. This is referred to as "being born in the caul." The caul is harmless and easily wiped away by the doctor or person assisting with the childbirth. In medieval times, a caul was seen as a sign of good fortune for the baby, in some cultures was seen as protection against drowning, and the caul was often impressed onto paper and stored away as an heirloom for the child. With the advent of modern interventive obstetrics, premature artificial rupture of the membranes has become common and it is rare for infants to be born in the caul in Western births.

Pain control

Due to the relatively-large size of the human skull and the shape of the human pelvis forced by the erect posture, childbirth is more difficult and painful for human mothers than other mammals. Many methods are available to reduce the pain of labor, including psychological preparation, emotional support, epidural analgesia, spinal anesthesia, nitrous oxide and opioids, the Lamaze Technique. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Complications

Complications occasionally arise during childbirth; these generally require management by an obstetrician.

Non-progression of labor (longterm contractions without adequate cervical dilation) is generally treated with cervical prostaglandin gel or intravenous synthetic oxytocin preparations. If this is ineffective, Caesarean section may be necessary.

Fetal distress is the development of signs of distress by the child. These may include rising or decreasing heartbeat (monitored on cardiotocography/CTG), shedding of meconium in the amniotic fluid, and other signs.

Non-progression of expulsion (the head or presenting parts are not delivered despite adequate contractions): this can require interventions such as vacuum extraction, forceps extraction and Caesarian section.

In the past, a great many women died during or shortly after childbirth but modern medical techniques available in industrialized countries have greatly reduced this total.

Social aspects

In modern times, participation of the father during childbirth is now the norm. However, before the 1960's, in most cultures the father was forbidden to enter childbirth area, as were other men with the exception of the doctor.

The exception to this rule were Poleshuks from Polesie. In this culture the wife gave birth sitting on her husband's knees.

Legal aspects

In many legal systems, the place of childbirth decides nationality of a child. The birth certificate is the basic document, which proves that the individual is a human being.

References

http://www.doctorslounge.com
Served as primary source.

http://pennhealth.com
Served as reference.