Vaginal Delivery
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
A vaginal delivery
occurs when your baby is born through your vagina (birth canal).
How to prepare for vaginal delivery:
- You can ask someone to be with you during labor and delivery. The person can be a spouse, friend, or family member. This person can help make you more comfortable. Make sure you can contact the person when labor begins.
- Ask your healthcare provider for information about a birthing class. You may learn about signs of labor, ways to manage pain, and labor positions. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them.
- Your provider can give you medicines for pain relief if you choose to have them. You may need medicine to induce (start) the labor process. You may need to move in bed, stand, or walk to help your baby move into position for birth.
- You may need tests to check for certain infections that can be passed to your baby. You may be given antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection you have or prevent an infection during delivery.
- Ask your provider if it is okay to eat and drink while you are in labor.
What will happen during vaginal delivery:
- Your healthcare provider will monitor your labor progress by checking your cervix. This will check the position of the baby. A fetal monitor will be placed around your abdomen. The monitor has 2 straps. One strap measures your contractions. The second strap records the heartbeat of the baby.
- You can move into several positions during delivery. You can lie on your back, have your feet up in stirrups, or squat. You may feel pressure on your rectum. This pressure is caused by the movement of your baby's head down the birth canal. You may feel the urge to push. Your provider will let you know when to push. Your provider will guide your baby out of the birth canal. Forceps or suction may be used to help deliver your baby. You may also need an episiotomy (incision) to make the vaginal opening larger. This will make more room for your baby.
- At least 1 minute after your baby is born, your provider will put clamps on the umbilical cord. The cord will then be cut. Your uterus will continue to contract after delivery to push out the placenta. You may be given medicine to prevent heavy bleeding when the placenta is pushed out. Your provider may close your episiotomy incision or any tears with stitches.
What will happen after vaginal delivery:
- Healthcare providers will examine your baby. Your baby may be placed on your chest right away. He or she may start breastfeeding. Your baby may need medicine such as vitamin K or a hepatitis B vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Healthcare providers will examine you. Your blood pressure will be checked right after you give birth. Your temperature and heart rate will be checked regularly. Providers will check for vaginal bleeding, and check that your uterus is contracting.
- You may be taken to another room to rest with your baby. Call for a healthcare provider if you are holding your baby and start to feel tired. The provider can put your baby in a bassinet near you while you rest or sleep. This will help prevent an accidental drop or fall of your baby.
- A healthcare provider may massage your abdomen several times to make your uterus firm. This can be uncomfortable. You may have abdominal pains for up to 3 days after you give birth because your uterus is still contracting. The contractions help release blood from inside your uterus so it shrinks back to its normal size. These contractions may hurt more while you breastfeed your baby.
- Healthcare providers will monitor your urine output. You may have trouble urinating for 1 to 2 days after childbirth. This occurs because of changes in hormones and weakened bladder muscles. Tell your provider if you urinate very little or not at all.
- Your provider may suggest you get up and move around. Activity can help prevent blood clots. Sitting in a chair or going for a walk can improve blood flow.
- You may be able to go home within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. If you need support at home, ask your provider about home visits by another healthcare provider. This healthcare provider can help you learn about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, baby care, and perineum care.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have any of the following signs of a stroke:
- Numbness or drooping on one side of your face
- Weakness in an arm or leg
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Dizziness, a severe headache, or vision loss
Seek care immediately if:
- Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You feel weak, dizzy, or faint.
- You have heavy vaginal bleeding that fills 1 or more sanitary pads in 1 hour.
- You are urinating very little, or not at all.
Call your doctor or obstetrician if:
- You have a fever.
- Your abdominal or perineal pain does not go away, or gets worse.
- You feel depressed.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- NSAIDs help decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Stool softeners make it easier for you to have a bowel movement. You may need this medicine to treat or prevent constipation.
Activity:
Rest as much as possible. Try to keep all activities short. You may be able to do some exercise soon after you have your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider before you start exercising. If you work outside the home, ask when you can return to your job.
Kegel exercises
may help your vaginal and rectal muscles heal faster. You can do Kegel exercises by tightening and relaxing the muscles around your vagina. Kegel exercises help make the muscles stronger.
Breast care:
When your milk comes in, your breasts may feel full and hard. Ask how to care for your breasts, even if you are not breastfeeding.
Constipation:
You may have constipation for a period of time after you have your baby. Do not try to push the bowel movement out if it is too hard. High-fiber foods and extra liquids can help you prevent constipation. Examples of high-fiber foods are fruit and bran. Prune juice and water are good liquids to drink. You may also be told to take over-the-counter fiber and stool softener medicines. Take these items as directed. Ask how to prevent or treat hemorrhoids.
Perineum care:
Your perineum is the area between your vagina and anus. Keep the area clean and dry. This will help it heal and prevent infection. Wash the area gently with soap and water when you bathe or shower. Rinse your perineum with warm water after you urinate or have a bowel movement. A warm sitz bath can help decrease pain. To take a sitz bath, fill a bathtub with 4 to 6 inches of warm water. You may also use a sitz bath pan that fits inside the toilet. Sit in the sitz bath for 20 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times a day, or as directed. The warm water can help decrease pain and swelling.
Vaginal soreness:
You may have soreness, pain, or swelling for up to a week after childbirth. Sit on a pillow or padded ring. This may help decrease pressure and pain. Apply ice to the area as directed. Ice will help decrease pain and swelling. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you apply it to the area. Apply ice for 20 minutes and then remove it for 20 minutes. Do this as often as your provider tells you to.
Vaginal discharge:
You will have vaginal discharge, called lochia, after your delivery. The lochia is red or dark brown with clots for 1 to 3 days after the birth. The amount will decrease and turn pale pink or brown for 3 to 10 days. It will turn white or yellow on the 10th or 14th day. Use a sanitary pad instead of a tampon to prevent a vaginal infection. You will have lochia for up to 3 weeks after your baby is born.
Monthly periods:
Your period may start again within 7 to 9 weeks after your baby is born. If you are breastfeeding, it may take longer for your period to start again. You can still get pregnant again even though you do not have your monthly period. Talk with your healthcare provider about a birth control method if you do not want to get pregnant.
Mood changes:
Many new mothers have some kind of mood changes after delivery. Some of these changes occur because of lack of sleep, hormone changes, and caring for a new baby. Some mood changes can be more serious, such as postpartum depression. Talk with your healthcare provider if you feel unable to care for yourself or your baby.
Sexual activity:
Do not have sex until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You may notice you have a decreased desire for sex, or sex may be painful. You may need to use a vaginal lubricant to help make sex more comfortable.
Follow up with your doctor or obstetrician as directed:
You will need to return 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery. Ask how to care for any wounds or stitches. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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