Delivery

Delivery is a natural process by which your baby is born.

The phrase ‘normal delivery’ refers to a natural birth with no major intervention by a skilled provider. There are other types of delivery, such as assisted vaginal birth and caesarean section. Most births are normal, and the majority of babies delivered are born healthy.

Complications in labour can often be unpredictable, so it is best wherever possible to have your delivery in a health facility assisted by skilled providers.

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Once you've filled out the form, a member of the team will be in touch to confirm your appointment.

How will you know when to deliver?

You will have been given a due date for your baby during antenatal care sessions. This is not an exact date but will give you a good indication of when the baby will come.

When it’s time for you to go into labour you’ll experience lower abdominal pains (cramping) that keep increasing in intensity and duration. You may also have some bleeding, discharge or amniotic fluid coming from your vagina. When amniotic fluid flows from your vagina this is often referred to as your ‘waters breaking’.

What happens during delivery?

A skilled healthcare provider will assess you and determine the safest mode of delivery for you.

For normal delivery, you’ll be assessed carefully starting with a review of your antenatal record and your birth plan. The provider will then conduct a full clinical examination to determine the status of your baby, your stage of labour and also exclude any conditions or illnesses that may need attention. 

The health of you and your baby will be monitored throughout your labour. As well as monitoring things like blood pressure and foetal heartbeat, your provider will also pay attention to your contractions and cervical dilation (how wide your cervix is opening).

When your cervix is fully open and the baby’s head has crowned, your provider will help you to deliver the baby safely. Once the baby is born, their umbilical cord will be cut and tied, and they’ll be wrapped in warm clothing.

What happens after delivery?

After delivery, you and your newborn baby will receive immediate care, and continue to be monitored.

You may receive medication to help control any excessive bleeding, and your healthcare provider will help to clean you up and make you comfortable. You will also receive support to help you start breastfeeding.

Before being discharged from hospital, you’ll receive advice on self-care, birth spacing, infant care, feeding, and postnatal care services.

Want to learn more about our delivery service?

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0800 00 22252

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