Also called: Vaginal Delivery; Childbirth
Giving birth is a momentous event and no two are identical. Even a mother who has given birth before may experience something completely different when having their second or third child.
There are several phases of childbirth and there’s no exact plan that spells out when you may experience each one.
Your amniotic sac, the fluid-filled bubble that has surrounded and protected your baby throughout its development, will almost always rupture before the baby is born. Having your amniotic sac rupture is commonly called having your “water breaking.” The fluid should be clear and odorless. If it has a yellow, green, or brown color, call your doctor right away.
Contractions are another stage of the delivery process. The sensation of contractions is described as heavy cramping or pressure that begins in your lower back and moves to the front. This is your body preparing to push the baby through the birth canal.
Cervix dilation, often just referred to as “being dilated,” is the process of the lowest part of the uterus opening to allow the baby to leave the mother’s body. The cervix’s job during pregnancy is to remain closed and protect the amniotic sac until the baby is ready to be delivered. Towards the end of pregnancy, the cervix will begin to soften, and the cervical tissue thins, preparing the way for the miracle of birth.
