What is Birth?

Birth is known as the starting point of the life cycle of living organisms. For humans, birth means the birth of a baby or offspring from the mother’s womb. Human births occur with the implantation of the egg fertilized with the sperm cell in the uterus of the female human and the development of the embryo. This process is called pregnancy and lasts about 9 months (40 weeks). The process of pregnancy is characterized by the transformation of the embryo into a fetus and the development of the body. In this article, we have compiled what you need to know about childbirth.

How Does Birth Occur?

Birth usually takes place from the mother’s womb through the vagina. This process is known as labor and usually happens naturally. However, in some cases, birth can be done by surgery (cesarean section) for medical reasons.

Birth is an important event that ensures the continuation of the generation of living things and is the moment when the newborn creature begins its independent life. After birth, the baby is raised by his family to meet his care and nutritional needs.

What are the Birth Types?

Birth types; It is divided into two as normal birth and cesarean delivery.

• Normal vaginal birth (Natural birth): This type of birth is the birth of the baby from the uterus through the vagina through the mother’s natural birth canal. Normal vaginal delivery is the preferred mode of delivery when it occurs without any medical complications. If Normal Birth occurs without intervention, it is called normal spontaneous birth. If it occurs as a result of various medical interventions such as vacuum, episiotomy and forceps, it is called interventional delivery.

• Cesarean delivery (Surgical delivery): This is the delivery of the baby following a surgical incision made in the mother’s abdomen. Cesarean delivery may be preferred in cases where normal birth may be risky or for some medical reasons.

type of birth; It is determined by a number of factors such as the health status of the mother and baby, the course of pregnancy, and the preferences of the mother and doctor. Especially in normal birth, the stages of the birth process (active birth, pushing phase, etc.) and the doctor’s interventions may also change. Therefore, it is important to remember that childbirth is unique in each case and requires an individual approach.

What Are the Risks That May Occur at Birth?

Although childbirth is usually a natural process, it can carry some risks. These risks can affect the health of mother and baby and have serious consequences. Some of the risks that may occur at birth can be listed as follows:

• Infections: During and after birth, infections may develop in the mother or her baby.

• Bleeding: Excessive bleeding may occur in the mother during or after delivery.

• Prolonged or strong labor pains: Prolonged or difficult labor can cause fatigue and complications in the mother.

• Fetal distress: It is a medical emergency characterized by the baby’s inability to tolerate uterine contractions during delivery and a slow heartbeat.

• Shoulder dystocia: It is the situation where the baby’s shoulder is stuck in the birth canal, which can complicate the delivery of the baby and cause damage to the shoulder.

• Postpartum depression: The mother may become depressed and have mental health problems after giving birth.

• Tears at birth: Vaginal ruptures may occur during childbirth.

• Vascular occlusion: It is a very important complication that can be seen in both cesarean and normal deliveries.

An important point is that each birth is unique and the risks may differ for each mother and baby. The presence of modern medicine and healthcare professionals uses a variety of interventions and measures to reduce these risks and to accompany mothers and babies more safely through the birth process. It is important that the follow-up and planning be under the control of a perinatology specialist, especially in high-risk pregnancies.