Vaginal Delivery

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 1, 2023.

Care notes
Ambulatory
Discharge
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AMBULATORY CARE:

What you need to know about vaginal delivery:

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. Arrange to be able to contact the person when labor begins.
You may need tests to check for certain infections that can be passed to your baby. You may be given antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection you have or prevent an infection during delivery.
Ask if it is okay to eat while you are in labor.
Your healthcare provider can give you medicines for pain relief if you choose to have them. You may need medicine to induce (start) your labor if your labor is not moving forward. You may need to move in bed, stand, or walk to help your baby move into position for birth.

What will happen during vaginal delivery:

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 healthcare provider will have you push when you feel the urge. He or she 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 also start breastfeeding. Your baby will also be given vitamin K as a shot.
Healthcare providers will examine you. Your blood pressure will be checked right after you give birth. Providers will check for vaginal bleeding, and check that your uterus is contracting. Your temperature and heart rate will be checked regularly.
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 him or her 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.
Your healthcare provider may suggest you get out of bed to sit in a chair or walk. Activity can help prevent blood clots.
You may be able to go home within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. If you need support at home, ask your healthcare 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 doctor or obstetrician if:

Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
You have a fever.
You are urinating very little, or not at all.
You have heavy vaginal bleeding that fills 1 or more sanitary pads in 1 hour.
You feel weak, dizzy, or faint.
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 , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and 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.
Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

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:

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 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 (gel) to help make sex more comfortable.

Follow up with your doctor or obstetrician as directed:

Most women 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.

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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