Vaginal birth

• Most women give birth through the vagina (birth canal).
• Labor occurs in three stages and feels unique to everyone.
• If you’re healthy, wait for labor to begin on its own.

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Most women have their baby the natural way (through the vagina). As your due date gets closer, it’s normal to feel excited about the baby, but nervous about labor. Labor feels different for every woman, but the basics are usually the same.

Labor occurs in three stages. In the first stage of labor, you’ll have your bloody show (brownish or reddish mucus discharge) and start having contractions.  Your contractions will become stronger and your baby moves into position for childbirth.

In the second stage of labor, you’ll start to push and your baby is born. The third stage is when the placenta is delivered. During pregnancy, the placenta gave your baby food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.

Sometimes labor is slow to begin. Your health provider may give you medications or use other methods to bring on labor (induction). Some women have inductions before they’re full term (39 weeks). In the last weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s brain and lungs are still growing. If you need an induction, talk to your provider about having it as close to 39 weeks as possible. 

Worried about labor pain? It’s different for every woman. Some women use medications to cope with labor pain. Others use breathing, relaxation and other non-drug choices. If you decide on one method and change your mind, it’s okay. Don’t feel like you gave up or let your baby down.