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Planning for vaginal delivery
"Vaginal birth" is the term used to describe any delivery of the baby through the vagina (versus a c-section delivery). The baby typically comes through head first. Click on the animation or illustrated series above to see how a normal vaginal birth proceeds. If the baby is not head first, (e.g., breech) it may need to be delivered by c-section.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A 36-year old asked:
Is delivery of stillborn baby always vaginal?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
What can one do to increase the chances of vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
What is to expect immediately after to 1hr after a vaginal delivery?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked about a 29-year old female:
Is stiches in vaginal delivery is normal and which medicines are preffered for stiches to come in right conditions?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old asked:
Is vaginal delivery safe if you have herpies?
2 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What are chances of vaginal delivery if triplets?
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
How long does it take a vaginal tear to heal after delivery?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
Is it ok to have vaginal delivery after having two c-sections?
5 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
How long does it take for stitches to heal after vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: vaginal tear during delivery?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
How soon can I and my baby swim after vaginal delivery with episiotomy?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
What size baby leads to prolapse of the organs years after vaginal delivery?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Is it normal after vaginal delivery to still have some bloody mucus; it's been a week and 4 days?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
Very few times in my life I felt discharge that hurt like fire, or close to it. Why? Lasted a sec or two. And is that what vaginal delivery is like?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
Had a vaginal delivery, how come hospital didnt offer me Colace?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Is it better to have vaginal or abdominal delivery if morbidly obese?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
How long should vaginal bleeding after delivery last?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
How long should I have bleeding after a normal vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Why am I experiencing a burning sensation after vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
I'm a chronic asthmatic. Can I safely go through a vaginal delivery?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
Are first time older moms more likely to tear a labrum during vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
When can i wear a corset after normal vaginal delivery and is it safe and benefitial?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
No to small clots but still bleeding 9 days after vaginal delivery with no complications. Normal?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Had vaginal normal delivery with no complications. When can we fly between states to visit family?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
How long will it hurt to go to the bathroom (1&2), after vaginal labor and delivery if u get stiches?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
I had a baby 11 days ago when is it ok to go into a pool that's at a house? It was a vaginal delivery and no stitches
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
I had my first baby 15 weeks ago through normal vaginal delivery without any stitches. However, everytime my husband and I have an sex i'm in pain.
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
We are planning to conceive , Im 29! We are trying ,sex without penetration, depositing Seprm into vaginal opening . What are the chances to conceive?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Should I have vaginal delivery or c-section?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 26-year old female asked:
Is it normal to have UTI after vaginal delivery?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
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