Overview 

A birth plan concisely records what the mother expects during labour and after birth. Your birth plan includes information that is considered important about your labour, and birth-these considerations detail the type of delivery you are most comfortable with.

Procedure

Types of deliveries include the following:

• Vaginal birth is the most natural way to deliver a healthy baby via the birth canal. Normally, doctors prefer this method of delivery since it is considered the safest for both mother and baby. It is typical for a vaginal delivery to occur between the 37^th and 42^nd week of pregnancy. Of course, there exist different types of vaginal deliveries. For example, a spontaneous vaginal delivery happens without any assistance, including the help of labour-inducing medications. Another technique is referred to as “induced vaginal delivery", whereby medications or alternative techniques are initiated in order to prepare the cervix for the passage of the newborn. Furthermore, the baby can also be delivered using a vacuum or forceps.
• C-section is a delivery procedure that involves removing the baby through an incision over the abdomen. The incision is made over the belly underneath the bikini line. As a result, the baby is delivered via the abdominal incision. This method is vastly different from the traditional way of giving birth. Dr Kalwiba may decide a C-section is the best option if you carry more than one child or the baby remains in a sideways or breech position.
  
  An emergency C-section is scheduled should complications occur at the time of delivery. For example, the umbilical cord may wrap around the baby's neck, or labour may be stalled.

Results

If you are concerned about your birth plan and feel you may need a C-section, these options can be discussed with Dr Kalwiba beforehand. For example, he can consider a Caesarean section in an emergency or if you've had surgery before. Your OB-GYN will also consider the baby's position and size, including the placenta's location.

FAQ