What happens during a vaginal delivery?
A vaginal delivery occurs when a baby is born through the vagina (birth canal). This is also called a natural delivery. During labor, your uterus will contract (squeeze) to move your baby out of your womb (uterus) through your cervix (opening of the uterus). Your cervix will open to about 10 centimeters (nearly four inches) to let your baby pass from your womb into your birth canal. Some mothers cannot have their baby this way and will need an operation called a Cesarean section (C-section). During a C-section, your baby is delivered through an incision (cut) in your abdomen (belly).
