Introduction
Baby birth is possibly the most exciting and risky journey carried over a lifetime. For many years, labor was regarded simply as the physiological process of ousting the fetus from the uterus at or near term. Vaginal delivery, often referred to as a normal birth, is the most common and traditional method of bringing a new life into the world. Throughout history, women have been delivering babies vaginally, and despite medical advancements, it remains the most natural and preferred birthing option for numerous reasons. This article provides a detailed narrative of the benefits of vaginal birth.
What Is Vaginal Birth?
Vaginal birth is the process of giving birth via the birth canal. During delivery through the vagina, the baby advances through the cervix, that is, the uterus opening into the vagina. Pregnant women giving vaginal birth may undergo pain and discomfort during the process. However, the woman's body is designed to cope with childbirth needs, and most women can safely deliver their babies without complications. Vaginal birth is the most common, cost-effective method of delivering a baby, with around 70 percent of women choosing this method. During vaginal birth, the baby is born via the birth canal. While vaginal birth can be challenging and painful, it has multiple physical and emotional advantages for both the baby and the mother.
What Are the Physical Benefits of Vaginal Delivery to the Mother?
There are numerous physical advantages of vaginal delivery for the mother as the followings,
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Faster Recovery: Vaginal birth is associated with a faster recovery than cesarean section. The mother can resume normal activities, such as walking and caring for the baby, within a few days.
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Shorter Hospital Stay: Women who deliver a baby with vaginal birth generally have a shorter hospital stay than those with a cesarean section delivery. This is due to the recovery time for vaginal birth is generally faster.
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Reduced Infection Risk: Infection risk is lower with vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section delivery. This is because the incision for the cesarean section increases the risk of infection.
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Low Risk of Complications: Vaginal birth is associated with a low risk of complications, including blood clots, respiratory issues, and postpartum depression, as it does not involve surgical procedures, so there is a low risk of complications that may occur in cases of surgery which are damage to internal organs, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia.
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Help Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles: Another physical advantage of vaginal birth is that it helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles responsible for supporting the uterus, bladder, and rectum. These muscles can be weakened during pregnancy due to the uterus and fetus's weight. However, vaginal birth can help to facilitate the recovery and strengthening of pelvic floor muscles, which can aid in reducing the chance of urinary incontinence and further pelvic floor disorders later in life.
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Breastfeeding: Women with a vaginal delivery are more likely to breastfeed the baby successfully.
What Are the Physical Benefits of Vaginal Delivery to a Baby?
A vaginal delivery also has many physical benefits for the baby, such as the following,
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Better Lung Health: During vaginal birth, the baby is squeezed via the birth canal, which allows the expelling of any fluid from the lungs. This ultimately reduces the risk of respiratory issues in the baby.
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Better Gut Health: During vaginal birth, the fetus is exposed to the vaginal bacteria of the mother in the womb, which helps to colonize the infant's gut with healthy bacteria. This can help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues in the baby. In addition, studies have revealed that babies born vaginally have a better diverse and healthy gut microbiome than those born by cesarean section, which may provide long-term health benefits to the newborn.
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Low Risk of Complications: Babies born vaginally have a lower chance of complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, and the neonatal intensive care unit admission requirement.
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Improved Immunity: Babies who are delivered vaginally acquire a dose of their mother's antibodies while vaginal delivery, which can help boost their immunity and defend them against infections.
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Boosting the Baby's Body Systems: According to the studies, vaginal delivery facilitates coping with the change from the womb to the world, including breathing, blood sugar regulation, temperature regulation, blood circulation to the brain, and exploratory behaviors.
What Are the Emotional Benefits of Vaginal Delivery?
In addition to multiple physical benefits, vaginal birth has numerous emotional advantages for both the baby and the mother. These include the following,
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Emotional Bonding: The process of baby birth through vaginal delivery can provide a powerful bonding experience for the baby and the mother. In addition, skin-to-skin contact immediately after a baby's birth which more commonly happens during vaginal birth can help to set a strong emotional bond between the baby and the mother.
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Natural Process: Vaginal birth is a natural process, and many women find fulfillment in giving birth vaginally.
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Sense of Achievement: Although vaginal birth can be a challenging and painful approach, many women report having a sense of achievement and empowerment when giving birth vaginally. This can help to raise self-esteem and confidence, which may also boost a positive perspective on motherhood and parenting.
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Decreased Risk of Postpartum Depression: Vaginal birth is linked with a lower chance of postpartum depression than cesarean section delivery. This may be due to the natural process of vaginal delivery allowing the release of hormones, including oxytocin, that encourage bonding and well-being.
Conclusion
Vaginal birth is the most common, natural, and less invasive method of delivering a baby, which can aid in reducing stress and boosting well-being. Although baby birth through vaginal delivery can be challenging and painful, it has numerous physical and emotional advantages for both the mother and baby. It is also essential to remember that although vaginal delivery has many advantages, it is not devoid of challenges and risks. Vaginal birth can be painful and stressful, especially for the mother, and may also lead to complications, including tearing, episiotomy, or bleeding. Additionally, a vaginal birth may not be possible or safer in all cases. Overall, vaginal birth is a natural and rewarding path of giving birth to the baby with many physical and emotional benefits.
