What should you know about giving birth by normal delivery?

Labour commonly includes cervical opening, a pushing stage and delivery of the placenta. Contractions may begin spontaneously or labour may be induced when there is a medical reason. Your team may monitor contractions, your wellbeing and the baby's heart rate, while offering movement, breathing support, water, medicines or regional anaesthesia where suitable. Birth can include assisted vaginal delivery with instruments, or the plan can change to a caesarean if labour or the baby's condition makes that safer. The term normal delivery is widely used, but every safe birth can look different.

Discuss your preferences for support people, movement, pain relief, monitoring and feeding before labour. Pack the medicines and documents your maternity unit requests, and learn when to call them after contractions begin or waters break. Ask how [Induction of Labour](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/induction-of-labour/) works and when [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/) might become advisable. After birth, a [Lactation Consultation](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/lactation-consultation/) can help with positioning, attachment and feeding concerns.

Contact your maternity unit for regular painful contractions, leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding or reduced fetal movement according to its instructions. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe constant abdominal pain, fainting, breathing difficulty, a seizure or a severe headache with vision changes. After birth, urgent review is needed for heavy bleeding, chest pain, severe shortness of breath or feeling suddenly very unwell.

Ask which signs mean labour has started, how your baby and contractions will be monitored, what pain-relief choices are available, and what findings could change the delivery route. Also ask when to seek help for feeding problems and whether oxytocin may be used during labour or after birth.