Baby birth from vagina

What To Expect, Benefits & Complications

What is a vaginal delivery?

A vaginal delivery is when a person gives birth through their vagina. It's the most common method of childbirth. During a vaginal birth, your uterus contracts to thin and open your cervix and push your baby out through your vagina (or birth canal).

Healthcare providers prefer vaginal deliveries because they're usually safest for the fetus and the birthing person. A vaginal delivery occurs most often between weeks 37 and 42 of pregnancy.

How common are vaginal deliveries?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 2.5 million vaginal deliveries in 2020. Vaginal deliveries account for about 68% of all births in the United States and 80% of births worldwide.

What are the types of vaginal delivery?

There are different types of vaginal deliveries: spontaneous, induced and assisted.

Spontaneous vaginal delivery: A vaginal delivery that happens on its own and without labor-inducing drugs.
Induced vaginal delivery: Drugs or other techniques initiate labor and prepare your cervix. This is also called labor induction.
Assisted vaginal delivery: A vaginal birth that occurs with the help of forceps or a vacuum device to get your baby out. Both spontaneous and induced vaginal delivery can be assisted.

What are the stages of a vaginal delivery?

A vaginal delivery can be broken into three stages: labor, birth and delivering the placenta.

Labor

The first stage of labor begins with uterine contractions and ends with your cervix being 10 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced.

Labor can be classified as early labor, active labor and transitional labor.

Early labor: The time when contractions begin and your cervix starts to open (dilate) and thin (efface). Your cervix may be about 5 centimeters dilated at the end of early labor.
Active labor: This stage of labor consists of strong contractions that last up to one minute each and happen about three minutes apart. Some people request an epidural during this time because contractions can be painful. Healthcare providers may also give you oxytocin (Pitocin®) to speed up labor.
Transitional labor: This is the time just before your cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. It's a short but intense time when your contractions come very quickly and last longer than one minute. This phase may make you sweat, vomit or feel shaky. It happens just before you begin to push.

Birth

The birthing stage begins when you reach 10 centimeters and ends with the birth of your baby through your vagina. In this stage of labor, you experience strong contractions and begin pushing. You may feel pressure or like you need to poop. Your healthcare provider may coach you through pushing, especially if you've had an epidural and can't feel contractions. This phase can last a few minutes or a few hours. Generally, birth is quicker if you've had a prior vaginal delivery.

Delivering the placenta

The last stage of labor is delivering the placenta (commonly called afterbirth). It begins after your baby is removed from your vagina and ends when your placenta is delivered. Your healthcare provider may ask you for a few more pushes. This stage begins a few minutes after your baby is born and lasts up to 30 minutes.

It's important to remember that labor and childbirth are different for everyone. Certain factors can play a role in your labor being longer or shorter. For example, if you get an epidural, you won't experience the same pain level as a person who doesn't get an epidural. Also, your labor may be longer if it's your first baby. Factors like the size and position of your baby and how quickly you dilate can all affect how long a vaginal delivery takes.

What are the risks of having a vaginal delivery?

Vaginal deliveries generally carry the least risk. The most common complications during a vaginal delivery are:

Failure to progress: This is when labor slows or stops and your cervix doesn't dilate. Your healthcare provider may give you oxytocin to stimulate contractions and progress labor.
Irregular fetal heart rate: This is when your baby's heart rate slows down because their head or umbilical cord is compressed.
Hemorrhage: This is excessive or life-threatening bleeding during or after birth. Sometimes a person doesn't bleed until several hours after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage).
Vaginal tears: These are tears in the tissue around your vagina and rectum that happen during childbirth.
Deep vein thrombosis: These are blood clots that develop in your legs or pelvis shortly after delivery.
Postpartum preeclampsia: This is excessively high blood pressure in a person who has just given birth.

Reasons to avoid vaginal delivery

A vaginal delivery is usually the preferred delivery method. However, certain conditions make a vaginal delivery dangerous. Your healthcare provider may recommend a C-section delivery if:

Your baby is in a breech position.
You have placenta previa or a problem with your placenta.
You have an untreated infection or open genital lesions from herpes simplex virus.
You have a chronic health condition.

What are the advantages of a vaginal delivery?

A vaginal delivery offers several benefits to both the birthing person and the fetus.

The benefits of vaginal delivery for the birthing person are:

Shorter recovery time.
Lactation begins sooner.
Lower chance of future pregnancy complications.

The benefits of vaginal delivery for the fetus are:

Lower chance of respiratory conditions.
Improved immune system function.
More likely to breastfeed (chest feed).

Is a vaginal delivery painful?

Yes, it can be painful. There are many options to help manage your pain during a vaginal delivery. Some people choose to get an epidural block. An epidural numbs your body from the waist down. Discuss your options for pain relief with your healthcare provider.

What side effects can I expect after a vaginal delivery?

You may have physical and emotional changes after giving birth. It's common to experience:

Constipation.
Engorged breasts.
Pain and soreness in your vagina, especially if you tore.
Mood swings.
Vaginal bleeding.
Hemorrhoids.
Headaches, hot flashes or sweating (from hormonal changes).
Cramps.
Lochia (a type of vaginal discharge).

Some people experience the "baby blues," postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. Hormonal changes may cause sadness, crying or other emotions within the first few weeks after a vaginal delivery. If you still feel sad, anxious or have mood swings several weeks or months after your baby is born, talk to your healthcare provider.

How long does it take to heal from vaginal delivery?

Recovery time for a vaginal delivery varies. Generally, healing from a vaginal delivery is faster than it is for a C-section. Several factors can influence how quickly you heal. One of those is if your vagina tears and how severe that tear is. If you've torn, you may feel sore for several weeks. Going to the bathroom, sitting and standing or performing everyday tasks may be painful. It's normal to experience swelling and itching around the tear. Most people will have swelling, bruising and general soreness in their vaginal area for a week or two, regardless of vaginal tearing. Putting cold compresses or cooling sanitary pads on your vaginal area may help.

How long do you bleed after a vaginal delivery?

It depends on the person. Some people will bleed for less time than others. It's normal to be bleeding at your postpartum visit several weeks later. Contact your healthcare provider if your bleeding increases over time or you're still filling extra thick sanitary pads after several weeks.

How long after vaginal delivery can you have sex?

Most healthcare providers recommend waiting at least six weeks or until after your postpartum visit to have sex. This gives your body time to heal and allows your provider to examine your vagina to make sure it has healed. Also, consider birth control options and future pregnancies before engaging in sexual intercourse again. Just because you aren’t menstruating and have just given birth doesn't mean you can't get pregnant again.

Can you prepare for a vaginal delivery?

You can try to prepare by creating a birth plan, but there's no way to know what will happen when the time comes. Every labor and delivery is unique. It may help to discuss your wishes with your partner, family, friends and healthcare provider. Asking questions beforehand can also help you know what to expect.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about a vaginal delivery?

It's hard to know what to expect from a vaginal delivery, especially if you've never given birth. Even if you've had previous vaginal deliveries, each delivery is unique and different.

Some common questions that people ask their healthcare provider about a vaginal delivery are:

What are the risks of a vaginal delivery?
How will I know when to push?
How can I reduce my risk of vaginal tearing?
How will I know labor is starting?
When should I go to the hospital?
How long will it take to recover from vaginal delivery?
Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of a normal delivery?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Giving birth is an exciting and life-altering event. Every pregnancy, labor and delivery is unique. A vaginal delivery is the most common way to give birth. It's hard to know what to expect until you've experienced it, but talking to your healthcare provider and asking questions can help you prepare. Vaginal deliveries are generally low-risk and highly successful. Your healthcare team is trained to manage any complications that arise and help you welcome a healthy baby into the world.

What to Expect During a Vaginal Delivery

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — By The Healthline Editorial Team on April 18, 2018

Choosing a vaginal delivery

Every delivery is as unique and individual as each mother and infant. In addition, women may have completely different experiences with each new labor and delivery. Giving birth is a life-changing event that will leave an impression on you for the rest of your life.

Of course, you’ll want this to be a positive experience and to know what to expect. Here’s some information about what may happen as you’re delivering your baby.

Birth plans: Should you have one?

As you approach the latter part of your pregnancy, you may want to write a birth plan. Consider carefully what’s important to you. The overall goal is a healthy mother and baby.

The birth plan outlines your ideal birth and may need to be adjusted as the actual situation unfolds.

Talk with your partner and decide who you want to have attending the birth. Some couples feel that this is a private time and prefer not to have others present.

A birth plan may include other subjects like pain relief during labor, delivery positions, and more.

Early phases of labor

Amniotic sac

The amniotic sac is the fluid-filled membrane surrounding your baby. This sac will almost always rupture before the baby is born, though in some cases it remains intact until delivery. When it ruptures, it’s often described as your “water breaking. ”

In most cases, your water will break before you go into labor or at the very beginning of labor. Some women experience their water breaking as a gush of fluid, although it can also be a trickle of fluid. The fluid should be clear and odorless.

When your water breaks, contact your obstetrician gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other obstetric care provider and follow their guidance.

Contractions

Contractions are the tightening and releasing of your uterus. These motions will eventually help your baby push through the cervix. Contractions can feel like heavy cramping or pressure that begins in your back and moves to the front.

Contractions aren’t a reliable indicator of labor. You might already have felt Braxton-Hicks contractions, which may have started as early as your second trimester.

A general rule is that when you are having contractions that last for a minute, are five minutes apart, and have been so for an hour, you’re in true labor.

Cervix dilation

The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cervix is a tubular structure approximately 3 to 4 centimeters in length with a passage that connects the uterine cavity to the vagina.

During labor, the role of the cervix must change from maintaining the pregnancy (by keeping the uterus closed) to facilitating delivery of the baby (by dilating, or opening, enough to allow the baby through).

The fundamental changes that occur near the end of the pregnancy result in a softening of the cervical tissue and thinning of the cervix, both of which help prepare the cervix. True, active labor is considered to be underway when the cervix is dilated 3 centimeters or more.

Labor and delivery

Eventually, the cervical canal must open until the cervical opening itself has reached 10 centimeters in diameter and the baby is able to pass into the birth canal.

As the baby enters the vagina, your skin and muscles stretch. The labia and perineum (the area between the vagina and the rectum) eventually reach a point of maximum stretching. At this point, the skin may feel like it’s burning.

Some childbirth educators call this the ring of fire because of the burning sensation felt as the mother’s tissues stretch around the baby’s head. At this time, your healthcare provider may decide to perform an episiotomy.

You may or may not feel the episiotomy because the skin and muscles can lose sensation due to how tightly they’re stretched.

The birth

As the baby’s head emerges, there is a great relief from the pressure, although you’ll probably still feel some discomfort.

Your nurse or doctor will ask you to stop pushing momentarily while the baby’s mouth and nose are suctioned to clear out amniotic fluid and mucus. It’s important to do this before the baby starts to breathe and cry.

Usually the doctor will rotate the baby’s head a quarter of a turn to be in alignment with the baby’s body, which is still inside you. You’ll then be asked to begin pushing again to deliver the shoulders.

The top shoulder comes first and then the lower shoulder.

Then, with one last push, you deliver your baby!

Delivering the placenta

The placenta and the amniotic sac that supported and protected the baby for nine months are still in the uterus after the delivery. These need to be delivered, and this can happen spontaneously or it may take as long as half an hour. Your midwife or doctor may rub your abdomen below your belly button to help tighten the uterus and loosen the placenta.

Your uterus is now about the size of a large grapefruit. You may need to push to help deliver the placenta. You may feel some pressure as the placenta is expelled but not nearly as much pressure as when the baby was born.

Your healthcare provider will inspect the delivered placenta to make sure it was delivered in full. On rare occasions, some of the placenta doesn’t release and may remain adhered to the wall of the uterus.

If this happens, your provider will reach into your uterus to remove the leftover pieces in order to prevent heavy bleeding that can result from a torn placenta. If you would like to see the placenta, please ask. Usually, they’ll be happy to show you.

Pain and other sensations during delivery

If you opt for a natural childbirth

If you decide to have a “natural” childbirth (delivery without pain medication), you’ll feel all types of sensations. The two sensations you’ll experience the most are pain and pressure. When you begin to push, some of the pressure will be relieved.

As the baby descends into the birth canal, though, you’ll go from experiencing pressure only during the contractions to experiencing constant and increasing pressure. It will feel something like a strong urge to have a bowel movement as the baby presses down on those same nerves.

If you choose to have an epidural

If you have an epidural, what you feel during labor will depend on the effectiveness of the epidural block. If the medication properly deadens the nerves, you may not feel anything. If it’s moderately effective, you may feel some pressure.

If it’s mildly so, you’ll feel pressure that may or may not be uncomfortable to you. It depends on how well you tolerate pressure sensations. You may not feel the stretching of the vagina, and you probably won’t feel an episiotomy.

Possible tearing

Although significant injuries aren’t common, during the dilation process, the cervix may tear and ultimately require repair.

Vaginal tissues are soft and flexible, but if delivery occurs rapidly or with excessive force, those tissues can tear.

In most cases, lacerations are minor and easily repaired. Occasionally, they may be more serious and result in longer-term problems.

Normal labor and delivery often result in injury to the vagina and/or cervix. Up to 70 percent of women having their first baby will have an episiotomy or some sort of vaginal tear requiring repair.

Fortunately, the vagina and cervix have a rich blood supply. That’s why injuries in these areas heal quickly and leave little or no scarring that could result in long-term problems.

The outlook

It’s not impossible to prepare yourself for labor and delivery, but it’s a famously unpredictable process. Understanding the timeline and hearing about other mothers’ experiences can go a long way to making childbirth less mysterious.

Many expectant mothers find it helpful to write out a birth plan with their partner and share it with their medical team. If you do create a plan, be prepared to change your mind if the necessity arises. Remember that your goal is to have a healthy baby and a healthy, positive experience.

Last medically reviewed on April 18, 2018

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Post Delivery

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Kettle C, et al. (2010). Absorbable stitches for repair of episiotomy and tears at childbirth.
cochrane.org/CD000006/PREG_absorbable-stitches-for-repair-of-episiotomy-and-tears-at-childbirth
Labor and delivery, postpartum care. (2016).
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/stages-of-labor/art-20046545b
Stages of labor. (n.d.).
swedish.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth/labor-delivery/what-happens-during-delivery/stages-of-labor
When to go to the hospital. (n.d.).
babies.sutterhealth.org/laboranddelivery/labor/ld_when-hosp.html

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Apr 18, 2018

Written By

The Healthline Editorial Team

Edited By

John Bassham

Medically Reviewed By

Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — By The Healthline Editorial Team on April 18, 2018

How does your vagina change after giving birth?

Your body may look and feel different after having a baby…

After giving birth, everything changes very quickly. There is a replenishment in the family - a child (or children) has appeared who needs to be loved, who needs to be taken care of and raised. It can be wonderful, bewildering, amazing and terrifying at the same time. On top of the biggest change (a brand new person who can't even hold his head up yet) there's also you to think about and care for. nine0005

Changes in your body after childbirth are internal and external, physical and mental. Your body won't look like it did before pregnancy, and that's okay! Your vagina may be different, but it's a perfectly natural part of growing up and having children. You may have a few new stretch marks to love and appreciate, as well as breast changes. Let's learn more about how your entire V-zone (vagina, vulva, and the V-shaped front that you see) can change after childbirth. nine0005

So what happens to your V-zone and vagina after having a baby?

Changes in the V-zone and especially in the vagina are natural after childbirth. This is because as the baby passes through the cervix and vagina (also known as the birth canal), the entrance to the vagina must stretch. The side walls of your vagina also separate and widen, almost like an open umbrella. Sometimes the part of the skin between the entrance to the vagina and the anus (known as the perineum) may be torn or even cut open by the doctor or midwife to allow the baby to come out; this is called an episiotomy. The idea of an episiotomy can be daunting, just remember that you will be asked for consent, given pain medication (usually a local anesthetic to numb the perineal area) and stitched after delivery. nine0017 [1]

About 9 out of every 10 mothers who give birth vaginally for the first time experience a tear or an episiotomy, ^[2] so this is an extremely common occurrence that most women experience during childbirth. Even though the thought of breakups can be daunting, it's still worth talking to the women around you who have already given birth and experienced it all before to calm yourself. You can also discuss this with your doctor before giving birth to better understand the situation that can happen and how to recover from it. nine0005

Your vagina may seem a little wider

After your baby passes through your vagina, it may look wider than before. It may also appear looser, softer, and more "open". ^[3] The vagina may look or feel like bruising and swelling, but these sensations will disappear a few days after delivery.

Although your vagina probably won't go back to the way it was before, it's natural and nothing to worry about. Pelvic floor exercises can help tighten the muscles surrounding the vagina in no time! You can easily do this intermittently while doing other things at the same time, such as standing in line, watching TV while your child is sleeping, driving a car, or sitting on a bus while on errands. You can start even during pregnancy. Pelvic floor exercises are also a great way to reduce the dripping of urine that so many women experience after giving birth. nine0005

Your vagina may feel drier

After childbirth, the level of the hormone estrogen in the body decreases compared to during pregnancy. Related to this is that your vagina feels drier than you're used to. If you decide to breastfeed, your estrogen levels may be lower than if you didn't.

If you're struggling with dryness, especially when you start having sex again, then using a lubricant can do wonders to make you feel more comfortable. Of course, this may not be the first thing you want to do after having a baby, and a decrease in libido is completely normal! nine0017 [4] When you're ready and you really want intimacy, talk about it with your partner so they can help you work through it together and approach sex in a way that makes you feel comfortable. If dryness continues to bother you or you experience pain, seek medical advice.

Your vulva could become inflamed

Your vulva has a lot to go through, especially if your perineum needs stitches after tears or an episiotomy during childbirth. It will probably be quite painful, but it usually goes away within 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. Painkillers can help, but always check with your midwife, doctor, or pharmacist if you're breastfeeding about taking them. Just know that your condition will improve every day, and in the end you will get over it. nine0005

While you are recovering, it is important to keep the area clean as there will be discharge after childbirth. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before changing pads, change them frequently, and bathe or shower regularly. After a while, everything should calm down.

It is very important to take care of yourself as a new mother, especially not forgetting to take care of your physical and mental health. It would be nice to ask a partner or family for support so that you can take some time for yourself even when there is no time at all, just turn on a relaxing tune, light a few candles and take a bath. nine0005

What will the postpartum belly and body look like?

It's not just your V-zone (vagina, vulva and the V-shaped front that you see) that changes after childbirth. Your whole body goes through a process of new life growth and then birth. Here are some completely natural changes that you can see in the mirror:

Postpartum Belly

Your belly, which stretches as your baby grows, may still be baggy after having a baby and be bigger than it was before pregnancy. Simply because your muscles and skin have stretched. nine0005

Although you may feel pressure from the outside to "get in shape" faster, get back to your pre-pregnancy state, it's perfectly normal not to have flat abs - you've been a little busy carrying and caring for a new person Thank you so much Eating right and exercising will help you feel fit and strong whenever possible and your belly will gradually shrink in size This is not a race so don't compare yourself to other new moms or fitness bloggers on Instagram - find your own pace and you will achieve everything.0005

Stretch marks after pregnancy

Stretch marks appear when the skin is stretched and the middle layer of the skin is damaged in places. Stretch marks can be pink, red, brown, black, silver, or even purple, depending on your skin type, and appear on your stomach, upper thighs, and chest. This happens to 8 out of 10 pregnant women ^[5] , so you are not alone. They may gradually fade and become less noticeable over time. Think of stretch marks as a wonderful reminder of how strong and worthy you are. nine0005

Your body is capable of many things - it can change, grow and regenerate to give new life. It will look different and a bit weird at first after giving birth, but it's completely natural. Be proud of what your body has gone through, take care of it with time, and don't neglect your health and well-being. Even if your beautiful child is screaming - make time for yourself, in any case, your partner, friends and family will be there to help.

If you want to know more about what can happen after childbirth, read our articles on postpartum discharge and when to expect your first period after pregnancy. nine0005

Statement of the nature of published medical information

The medical information contained in this article is provided for reference only and should not be used or relied upon for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Consult with your doctor about a specific medical condition.

Sources:

note-1 ^[1] https://www.nct.org.uk/labour-birth/you-after-birth/episiotomy-during-childbirth

note-2 ^[2] https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/tears/tears-childbirth/

note-3 ^[3] uk/live-well/sexual-health/vagina-changes-after-childbirth/

note-4 ^[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/loss-of-libido/

note- 5 ^[5] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/stretch-marks-pregnant/

How to restore the vagina after childbirth? Non-surgical intimate plastic surgery of the vagina

full list

After giving birth, many women realize that the condition of the vaginal walls leaves much to be desired. Injuries and ruptures of the mucous membrane of the birth canal can subsequently lead to a violation of the quality of intimate relationships.

Intimate plastic surgery after childbirth sometimes becomes the only option to correct all defects of the internal genital organs. Every woman, regardless of the number of births, wants to remain sexy for a man and enjoy intimate relationships. nine0005

When does the vagina return to normal?

The muscles of the vagina return to normal approximately six months after childbirth. With a strong muscle strain, a woman may have negative consequences, which leads to disruption of normal intimate life, discomfort during intercourse, and generally prevents a woman from feeling natural.

Most women do not seek medical help, trying to solve the problem on their own, doing various exercises. It is important to understand that physical exercises aimed at strengthening and tightening the muscles of the vagina are effective only at the initial stage of the pathology, 1.5–2 months after childbirth. nine0005

After repeated childbirth, or a year or more after the birth, the muscles can no longer be returned to their previous state. To do this, they resort to intimate plastic surgery after childbirth. Modern methods of vaginal plasty can solve the problem of vaginal stretching, without any major surgical interventions.

Vaginoplasty

Vaginal correction surgery performed by a plastic surgeon. All interventions in the genital area of a woman can be divided into the following areas:

Vaginoplasty after childbirth;
Plastic surgery on the labia.

If the vagina is stretched after childbirth , this can cause a decrease in its sensitivity, which leads to a lack of sexual desire. After suffering ruptures and injuries of the vagina, the muscles inside do not shrink to their original size, enlarged labia majora can cause discomfort to a woman when wearing tight underwear or tight-fitting clothes. nine0005

Thanks to innovative methods of plastic surgery, problems such as vaginal dryness after childbirth, stretching, or prolapse of the vagina are successfully solved. The walls of the vagina are sutured, if necessary, the muscles are strengthened.

Surgical restoration of the vagina

Thanks to the modern development of plastic surgery, it is possible to treat the following pathologies without injuries and consequences:

Vaginal dryness after childbirth;
Overstretching of the vaginal walls; nine0141
Spontaneous excretion of urine due to weakened pelvic muscles.

Laser gynecology

The most effective methods of elimination of pathological processes in the muscles of the vagina is laser therapy . With the help of a laser beam, the size of the vaginal walls is successfully compacted and the size of the vaginal walls is reduced, its elasticity is restored.

Many women worry about the pain of the method, but laser treatment does not cause pain and does not require anesthesia . Under the influence of a laser beam, collagen fibers are actively restored and the muscles of the vagina are tightened.

Laser vaginal tightening takes less than half an hour and does not require hospitalization. Laser therapy is widely used to eliminate vaginal dryness after childbirth, or during menopause.

If you have lost your sex drive and your vaginal muscles have stretched after childbirth, you should contact an experienced specialist who, thanks to innovative methods of vaginal rejuvenation will help solve your problem.

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