What is a vaginal delivery?
During a vaginal delivery, the physician will assist the fetus’ head and chin out of the vagina when it becomes visible. Once the head is out of the vagina, the physician usually rotates the fetus to the side and eases the shoulders out, followed by the rest of the body. In some cases, the vaginal opening does not stretch enough to accommodate the fetus. If there is a risk of tearing, the physician may perform an episiotomy – an incision through the vaginal wall and the perineum (the area between the thighs, extending from the anus to the vaginal opening) to help deliver the fetus. After the delivery of the baby, the mother is asked to continue to push during the next few uterine contractions to deliver the placenta. Once the placenta is delivered, the episiotomy incision is stitched. The mother is usually given oxytocin (a drug administered either by an injection into the muscles or intravenously that is used to contract the uterus) and the uterus is massaged to help the uterus to con
