What does the entire natural childbirth process entail? Expectant mothers considering natural birth should familiarize themselves with the following.
I. The Entire Natural Childbirth Process
1. First Stage (6–12 hours) — Rest, recuperate, and eat
Duration: This stage begins with regular uterine contractions and ends when the cervix is fully dilated.For first-time mothers (primiparas), this stage typically lasts about 12 hours; for mothers who have given birth before (multiparas), it usually takes around 6 hours. Symptoms: At the onset of regular contractions, they occur approximately every 6–7 minutes, lasting about 30 seconds each. As labor progresses, the intervals between contractions gradually shorten, their duration increases, and their intensity grows stronger, causing the cervix to slowly dilate.
Your Experience: When dilation reaches about 5 cm, contractions intensify significantly. You may shift from calmness to tension and fear, experiencing the most intense pain. You might worry the baby won't be born or feel you can't endure it anymore, strongly requesting a cesarean section. Perseverance brings relief—those around you will encourage you: "Hang in there, the baby is almost here!"
2. Second Stage (1–2 hours) — Final Push, Coordinated Pushing, Visible Crown, Water Breaking, Pushing & Breathing
Duration: This stage spans from full cervical dilation to fetal delivery. First-time mothers typically require about 2 hours, while those who have given birth before need approximately 1 hour.
Characteristics: Contractions occur every 1–2 minutes, lasting up to 50 seconds each. You may feel no breaks between them, as if contractions are continuous, with persistent abdominal pain. The baby's head gradually descends through the pelvis, rotating while advancing toward the birth canal with each contraction. As the mother, you must push, push, and push again.
Membrane rupture typically occurs during this stage (optimal rupture). The midwife can now see the baby's hair, and the vaginal opening has dilated to its maximum. You'll feel something large pressing against you (crowning), signaling the baby's imminent delivery. Once crowning begins, the midwife will instruct you to stop pushing and instead breathe in a "ha, ha" rhythm, allowing your abdominal muscles to relax. Soon, the baby's head and shoulders emerge,followed immediately by the delivery of the entire fetus.
"Waaah—" The clear, loud first cry of the newborn reaches your ears. All the hardship and struggle are behind you. Your heart is filled to the brim with happiness and joy. You truly experience maternal love—this is the happiest moment of your life. This is precisely why mothers who have endured labor pains still choose natural childbirth when they become pregnant again.
3. The third stage spans from the delivery of the baby to the expulsion of the placenta. This phase is generally easier to endure. The mother no longer experiences contractions, hears her newborn's first cry, and finally meets her long-awaited baby—joy overshadowing the pain.
So why choose natural childbirth when the entire process takes so long? Because natural birth offers numerous benefits.
II. Benefits of Natural Childbirth
1. Shorter Pain Duration and Faster Recovery
After vaginal delivery, mothers can resume normal eating and daily activities quickly, typically being discharged within three days. In contrast, cesarean section patients must remain bedridden for the first three days and cannot eat for 6–8 hours post-surgery, resulting in prolonged pain.
2. Better Uterine and Reproductive Tract Recovery
Natural birth facilitates the drainage of postpartum lochia and accelerates uterine recovery. Cesarean sections involve greater trauma, longer surgical incisions, and delayed wound healing and suture removal, increasing the risk of endometriosis.
3. Lower risks associated with natural birth
Vaginal delivery carries fewer risks. Cesarean sections involve potential anesthesia complications. Long-term, cesarean mothers face higher risks of complications like intestinal adhesions and greater risks in subsequent pregnancies. Mothers with severe scarring tendencies may experience unsightly surgical scars.
4. Natural Birth Facilitates Lactation
Contractions during labor stimulate the pituitary gland to release oxytocin, a hormone that not only advances labor but also promotes postpartum milk production. Faster recovery from natural birth also facilitates earlier lactation onset.
5. Babies born vaginally have stronger immunity
During natural birth, babies ingest normal bacteria from the birth canal through swallowing motions, quickly establishing a healthy microbial community. Chinese women of childbearing age harbor 27 types of microorganisms in their birth canal, which are crucial for the baby's immune system development.
6. Babies born vaginally have a lower risk of lung disease
The rhythmic contractions of the uterus during labor exercise the fetal lungs. Alveolar expansion promotes lung maturation, significantly reducing the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Simultaneously, these contractions and the compression during passage through the birth canal expel amniotic fluid and mucus from the fetal airways.This significantly reduces neonatal complications like wet lungs and aspiration pneumonia.
Though the entire natural birth process is demanding, it offers numerous benefits.