Normal and scissor delivery: what to know

A vaginal birth happens through the vagina after labour causes the cervix to open. Pain relief, monitoring, movement, and support during labour can be part of this plan. An assisted vaginal birth may use forceps or a vacuum when extra help is needed near the end of labour.

Scissor delivery is a non-medical phrase sometimes used for a caesarean section. In a caesarean, the baby is delivered through surgical openings in the abdomen and uterus, usually with regional anaesthesia. It may be planned or recommended during labour if vaginal birth would be unsafe or is no longer progressing well. A caesarean is different from an episiotomy, which is a cut at the vaginal opening and is only considered in specific circumstances.

Discuss your birth preferences before labour, including pain relief, who can support you, skin-to-skin contact, and feeding after birth. Ask what might change the plan and how decisions will be explained. Follow your maternity team's instructions about appointments, medicines, eating and drinking before a planned operation, and arranging transport.

If labour starts, note the timing of contractions and any fluid loss, then contact your maternity unit for its instructions. Do not delay a recommended caesarean or urgent assessment while trying to preserve a preferred birth method.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, reduced or changed fetal movement, or fluid loss that may mean your waters have broken. Seek urgent help for severe headache with vision changes, difficulty breathing, fainting, or a seizure.

After birth, promptly report heavy bleeding, fever, worsening pain, a foul-smelling wound or discharge, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or one-sided leg swelling. After a caesarean, increasing redness, swelling, separation, or leaking from the incision also needs medical review.

Ask: Which birth options are suitable for me? What findings would lead you to recommend a caesarean or assisted vaginal birth? What pain relief and monitoring are available? How will recovery, wound care, movement, and feeding differ between the options?