Pregnancy and delivery

There are many types of assisted normal deliveries. Assisted normal delivery occurs when a mother is not able to push the child to the birth canal. Assisted means it requires special instrument like vacuum extractor, forceps or medication to help extract the baby from vagina.

Vacuum extraction: If the baby’s head got stuck towards canal or mother not able to push the baby further to the canal, the vacuum extraction method is applied. A doctor will place a suction device on your baby’s head applying some force, required to pull the baby out while the mother pushes.

Forceps delivery: Sometimes, the doctor may have to insert forceps into the birth canal. They are big forceps that cup the baby's head, allowing the doctor to reposition the baby and hence extracting the baby. This method is used when the mother got exhausted, and hence unable to push the baby out of canal or if the baby's heartbeat slows while the head is in the birth canal.

Episiotomy: In this method, a surgical cut or small incision is made between the vaginal opening and anus. It is being done when the vagina has not stretched enough to deliver the baby. The incision is made to enlarge the vagina or exit area so that baby can come out easily and safely. It is easier for the doctor to stitch this straight incision after the child birth.

Amniotomy: In this process, the water bag is deliberately ruptured using a plastic hook. This is being done to release the amniotic fluid from sac to induce labor during childbirth.

Induced labor: It is the stimulation of uterine contractions by the doctor before the actual labor initiates. Labor induction is being practiced if the pregnancy is postterm or the baby’s or mother health is at risk.