Normal vaginal delivery

1. Big picture

Normal vaginal delivery is the safest and most physiological mode of birth when the mother and fetus are low risk, the fetus is in longitudinal lie, cephalic presentation, labour progresses normally, and there is no maternal or fetal contraindication to vaginal birth.

For the exam, the examiner wants you to explain:

Normal labour = regular uterine contractions → cervical dilatation → fetal descent/rotation → birth → placental delivery → postpartum observation.

Always think clinically:

Mother stable?
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Fetus reassuring?
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Cephalic presentation and no obstruction?
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Labour progressing?
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Safe vaginal birth possible?
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Prevent postpartum haemorrhage