Best Hospitals For Normal Delivery in Chennai

Giving birth to your smaller version is one of the most beautiful and extraordinary experiences a mother can behold, and a normal delivery is the most natural way of embracing this experience. This article will explore every stage of labour to childbirth, offering detailed insight into the benefits and preparation for a confident journey towards motherhood.

Normal Delivery, also known as vaginal birth, is the process of the natural delivery of a baby through the mother’s birth canal. Although one of the most painful experiences of your life, Normal Delivery is considered to be the best way for child delivery due to its advantages, not only for the mother but also for the child if there are no complications associated with pregnancy. Note that a mother’s body is prepared in a way to handle this dynamic process.

It is important to understand that each pregnancy is unique, which is why choosing a healthcare institution that uses a personalised approach is important. This is the expertise in which Gleneagles Hospital, one of the best hospitals for normal delivery in Chennai, stands out.

Normal delivery refers to the act of delivery through the birth canal. It most commonly occurs when the cervix is fully open (around 10 centimetres), and the baby descends the birth canal with the help of intense uterine contractions. This is then followed by the delivery of the baby and, finally, the delivery of the placenta. In a normal delivery, the baby usually presents in a head-down position (cephalic presentation) in the uterus, and there is little medical intervention. Although to some, the process might be overwhelming, the reward for a natural birth can be greatly satisfying to both mother and child.

All normal deliveries generally follow a particular process, which we are going to explore in the subsequent section. Based on how labour progresses and whether it needs medical intervention or not, normal delivery can be divided into three types, which include:

• Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery: It is the natural process of normal delivery in which no medications or other consumables are required for the mother to go into labour. In simple words, the baby is born without the help of any medical instruments. 
  Induced Vaginal Delivery: In cases such as pregnancy which has surpassed the traditional 40 weeks of pregnancy cycle, need medications for inducing labour to speed up contractions.
• Assisted Vaginal Delivery: In cases of any complications in the delivery process, like slow labour or distress in the baby, doctors intervene by using equipment such as forceps or a vacuum to assist the delivery. This also counts as normal delivery but with the help of doctors.
   

Preparation for a normal delivery starts from day one of your pregnancy period with various types of preparatory and analysing tests such as blood and imaging tests. Here are some key aspects of preparation for your big day for a smooth and normal delivery: 

• Choosing the Best Delivery Maternity Hospital in Chennai: It is the most crucial decision in achieving a normal delivery, as the best hospital for normal delivery with a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, advanced tools, and modern infrastructure will surely help you give your desired outcome.
• Prenatal Care and Checkups: After choosing a good normal delivery hospital in Chennai, It is time for regular visits to the hospital for prenatal care to ensure the health of both the baby and the mother. This involves tests like ultrasounds at the end of each trimester, blood pressure monitoring, and analysing for gestational diabetes to detect any potential issues early in the pregnancy.
• Birthing Plan: Although each birth is unique, having a birth plan will ensure that you have the opportunity to share your needs with the birthing team. Plan out with your doctor your pain management alternatives, labouring positions, and any other options beforehand

The normal delivery procedure is divided into three main phases, which are followed by every delivery hospital in Chennai and India to ensure the safe and successful parturition of your baby. These steps include: 

1. Phase One: Labor

Labour is the first phase leading to a normal delivery, starting with uterine contractions and full dilation of the cervix. Here, the dilation of the cervix means that during the 9 months of pregnancy, the cervix is locked with thick mucous to hold the growing baby within the uterus. This phase is further divided into three subphases: 

• Early Labor: Contractions start at mild intervals during early labour. This may last for a few hours. The cervix begins to efface and dilate. It's typically a mild stage where you might feel like getting up and moving around.
• Active Labor: Contractions become longer, stronger, and more frequent during this stage. The cervix opens from 6 to 10 centimetres. The pain and intensity are more pronounced, and most women ask for an epidural during this stage to alleviate pain.
• Transitional Labor: The final stage of the first stage, transitional labour, is when the cervix has completed full dilation, and the contractions are strongest and closest together. The duration of this stage is normally brief but vigorous.

2. Phase Two: Birth of the Baby

The second phase of normal delivery starts with full dilation of the cervix, and with this, the baby starts to go upside down in the uterus. At this stage, strong contractions start to occur, which help the baby move down the birth canal. With the strongest contraction in the uterus, the baby is delivered, which is the process of a few minutes to an hour, depending upon the strength of the mother. 

3. Phase Three: Removal of the Placenta

The placenta is a temporary organ which connects the mother to the baby via an umbilical cord. This placenta needs to be removed after the delivery of the baby, which is done by another contraction of the uterus after childbirth. If the placenta after childbirth is not removed, it leads to infection, bleeding, and other health hazards to the mother. 

Choosing a normal delivery over a C-section brings several advantages to not only the mother but also the child. These benefits are:
 

Benefits for the New Mom: 

• Faster Recovery: Most women undergoing normal delivery recover faster than the women undergoing cesarean section (C-Section). These women move more quickly after the delivery than the latter one.
• Less Risk of Complications: A normal delivery comes up with fewer complications than a C-section. These complications can be infections, blood loss, and scarring.
• Improved Bonding: Physical contact with the infant during a vaginal delivery can help strengthen bonding. Also, lactation is more convenient and can be initiated shortly after birth.
• Healthier Future Pregnancies: Vaginal delivery is associated with fewer risks of complications in subsequent pregnancies than in women who have had a C-section. 

Benefits for Your Newborn: 

• Clearance of Fluid from Lungs: During passage through the birth canal, pressure assists in clearing fluid from the lungs, facilitating smoother breathing and avoiding respiratory complications.
• Improved Immune System: The baby gets exposed to healthy bacteria in the birth canal, which improves their immune system and makes them resistant to infections.

Although normal delivery is considered to be the safest, certain conditions during the delivery can lead to risks and complications, which include: 

• Perineal Tears: The passing of the head of the baby through the birth canal can rupture the lining of the vagina, which most commonly heal on its own or with stitches.
• Dropped Heart Rate of the Baby: In some cases, the heart rate of the baby may drop, which requires immediate medical action to ensure the safety of the baby.
• Slow/Stopped Labour: Labour doesn’t always progress as expected; in some cases, it may slow down or even stop; in either case, medical intervention such as assisted vaginal delivery is required.
• Postpartum Bleeding: Excessive Bleeding after delivery or haemorrhage during the delivery is observed in some cases. This bleeding is typically managed with medications or surgery if needed.

These risks and complications can be avoided by choosing the best hospital for normal delivery in Chennai. So choose wisely. 

Choosing the best maternity hospital in Chennai for normal delivery​​ is a stepping stone towards building a healthy family. Gleneagles Hospital in Chennai can do the same for you. Here are the reasons why the hospital is a trusted choice among multiple couples and for you, too: 

• We provide expert and personalised care because we understand that for normal delivery, a one-size-fits-all approach can not work.  
• Gleneagles Hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach to deal with any complication arising during the whole process.
• Advanced tools and modern infrastructure in accordance with international standards.
• The Hospital is the home of some of the most renowned and skilled doctors and gynaecologists for successful outcomes.