How to Have a Normal Vaginal Delivery

Of course, every  mother dreams of a normal vaginal delivery, free of complications and unexpected surprises. That’s why today on Your Are Mom, we want to explain what eutocic delivery means and what medical aspects define the final moments of pregnancy.

Conventional medicine recognizes at least two types of childbirth: Eutocic (normal) delivery and assisted delivery. Everything that occurs during a child’s birth is what defines the category that the delivery falls under.

The type of delivery that occurs has to do with several factors. These include the time that goes by until the child is born, the positioning of the baby, and other complications that occur in the birthing room.

What is eutocic delivery?

Sometimes medical terminology can be disorienting. However, when doctors talk about an eutocic process, they are simply referring to normal vaginal delivery that occurs without major difficulties.

All mothers should aim for an eutocic delivery, as it’s the best case scenario. However, different complications can arise during the last weeks of pregnancy, or even during childbirth. Not everything can be controlled or foreseen.

What are the characteristics of eutocic birth?

Eutocic childbirth – or normal childbirth – takes place between weeks 37 and 41. Therefore, a delivery that occurs during the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy is not ideal, but is rather a measure taken in extreme circumstances to save the baby’s life.

Furthermore, this process occurs spontaneously, without the doctor identifying any sort of alteration. In general, eutocic childbirth involves coordinated and continuous contractions that come at a normal rhythm.

And finally, the position that the fetus has adopted allows for cephalic (head first) delivery. All of these factors facilitate vaginal birth free of any major inconveniences.

Assisted childbirth: The other side of the coin

In contrast, assisted childbirth is that which involves some sort of intervention due to the emergence of complications. These complications can arise both from the mother as well as the baby.

Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine, distocic deliveries aren’t as much of a concern as they were in the past, and are perfectly treatable.

As you’ll learn below, there are a number of foreseeable factors as well as unexpected ones that can produce difficulties. Many of these issues can be corrected during pregnancy, while others don’t appear until the mother is in labor.

Maternal and fetal obstructions

Maternal complications fall into one of two categories: Mechanical or dynamic. When the mother’s bones or soft tissue are to blame for the complication, then the obstruction is mechanical.

For example, there may not be sufficient space for the baby’s head to exit through the mother’s birth canal and vagina.

Dynamic obstructions are anomalies that occur during uterine contractions. If the contractions are weak or extremely strong and frequent, then we’re dealing with a complication. The same is true when the rhythm of the contractions is out of control.

Then we have the complications that have to do with the fetus itself. The most well-known example is that of babies that are situated in the breech position.

This means that the child’s rear end is facing the birth canal instead of the head. In these cases, doctors will almost always call for a C-section.

Is there anything I can do to help guarantee I have a normal vaginal delivery?

Many things can happen just when you are about to give birth. That’s why doctors recommend several measures in order to prevent difficulties during delivery:

• Take note of your contractions. It doesn’t matter whether the pain and contractions last for hours or for days. You need to observe the timing of your contractions to make sure they are rhythmic, continuous and unmodified.
• Stay positive. Having a positive mindset will have a major impact on your being able to deliver without complications. Therefore, try to remain calm and not allow your worries to overcome you. Having the support of your partner and family can be fundamental.
• Movement during birth. Many doctors allow mothers to change positions freely during the minutes before delivery takes place. This gives the mother the ability to find positions that reduce the pain and discomfort she is experiencing.
• Block the pain. If the problem is mechanical, then you should allow the doctor to apply a pain killer. This isn’t the most natural option, but it will facilitate your little one’s birth, which is your greatest priority.
• Attend all of your final doctor’s visits rigorously. Each appointment with your OB/GYN is important, especially during the final weeks of your pregnancy. If any anomaly arises that puts your little one’s life at risk, your doctor will be able to identify and treat it.

In the case that a complication occurs during childbirth, don’t be afraid. Your doctor is used to tending to all sorts of situations that can arise during delivery and will know just what to do.

What’s important is that you focus on the arrival of the new love of your life.