Delivery

As your delivery date approaches, Dr Orji will work with you to establish a birth plan that suits your needs. However, you should always keep in mind that plans may need to be adjusted depending on how the situation unfolds during labour. Dr Orji's overall goal is to ensure the health of the mom and baby during delivery.

It's essential to discuss the various birthing options available, your delivery positions and which pain relief you would prefer. Dr Orji will help develop your plan and be present at birth to provide support and delivery assistance.

Vaginal Birth

Vaginal birth is the natural process of the baby leaving the body through the vagina. It is usually straightforward unless there are some complications.

Before giving birth, you will go through several stages of labour, which can take a few hours to a day or more. Dr Orji will be with you at the hospital to help guide you through the stages of labour and deliver your baby.

Labour

Labour can begin as early as three weeks before giving birth, but there are stand-out signs that indicate your baby is ready to come into the world. These include:

  • Pressure in the uterus
  • Contractions (that start to increase over time)
  • Fluid releasing from the vagina from ruptured membranes

During labour, you have the early and the active phases. These allow your body to help release your baby. In the early phase, you will start having contractions that become more severe and quicker in succession. Contractions help dilate the cervix to make way for your baby during delivery.

In the active phase of labour, the contractions will become more painful, and you will feel pressure on your abdomen. This is the stage where women tend to receive an epidural or other forms of pain relief. You will experience contractions until your cervical diameter reaches 10 cm.

Birth

Birth is an emotional experience, but Dr Orji will be right by your side to assist you every step of the way. He has experience delivering countless babies and is equipped to handle complications, so you can feel confident that you are in capable hands.

Once your cervix has dilated enough, Dr Orji will encourage you to start pushing to help your baby move through the cervix. In the correct position, the crown of your baby's head will first emerge. Dr Orji uses suction to remove mucus, blood and fluid from your baby's nose and mouth as you continue to push.

Your baby's shoulders and arms need to emerge before they can be fully delivered from your body. Once out, Dr Orji or your partner will clamp and cut the umbilical cord. Then, you will be given your wonderful newborn to hold and promote skin-to-skin contact.

The Placenta

The final stage of labour is releasing the placenta. You will feel mild contractions that allow the placenta to move down the birth canal and be released. If the placenta is not intact, Dr Orji will remove any tissue or blood to prevent infection.

Should you have experienced tearing during vaginal birth, you will be given local anaesthesia and a few stitches to repair the area.

Caesarean Birth

A caesarean or C-section is quickly becoming a popular birthing option for many expecting moms. During this procedure, the baby is delivered through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen. C-sections are often necessary when complications arise during labour, but they can also be scheduled ahead of time to ensure a safe and speedy delivery.

Other reasons why you may need a C-section include:

  • You have had a previous caesarean with a vertical incision
  • Your baby has a congenital disability or illness
  • Your baby weighs over 4.5 kg
  • Your baby is in an abnormal position
  • There are complications with the placenta or umbilical cord

During the procedure, Dr Orji will give you anaesthesia to numb the area before making a horizontal incision on your lower abdomen through to your uterine wall. Then, Dr Orji gently removes your baby from the uterus and suctions their mouth and nose to remove fluid, blood and mucus so they can take their first breaths. The placenta is also delivered before your incision is stitched back together.

Recovery

It typically takes longer to recover from a C-section than vaginal birth, but each individual is different. Dr Orji will advise you on all the best steps to ensure a speedy recovery, but it is best to rest as much as possible, avoid lifting heavy objects other than your newborn, wear loose clothing and clean your scarring regularly.