Intrapartum Care

Labour

With the onset of labour regular uterine contractions occur, and the woman is cared for and monitored by a midwife. The progress of labour will be assessed by regular vaginal examinations to check for the dilatation of the cervix.

Vaginal Delivery

This is when a baby is born through the mother’s birth canal. This is usually preferred in healthy pregnancies. The different types of vaginal delivery include:

  • A spontaneous vaginal delivery occurs when a pregnant woman goes into labour without the use of drugs or techniques to induce labour. The baby is delivered normally without forceps, vacuum extraction or caesarean section.

  • Assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) – labour has onset spontaneously or is induced, and forceps or a vacuum extractor is used to deliver the baby vaginally.

  • Vaginal delivery after caesarean section (VBAC) - It is possible to achieve a VBAC delivery for certain carefully selected patients. Most women who deliver a VBAC give birth to healthy babies and suffer no complications.
The benefits of a VBAC delivery compared with a repeat caesarean section include:

    • Less invasive surgery.

    • Shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery.

    • Less pain during recovery.

    • Decreased risk of infection, scarring, tissue damage.

    • Decreased risk of complications associated with multiple C-sections.

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