Childbirth, also known as labour and delivery, is the ending of a pregnancy by one or more babies leaving a woman's uterus by vagina passage or C-section.[4] In 2015 there were about 135 million births globally.[5] About 15 million were born before 37 weeks of gestation,[6] while between 3 and 12% were born after 42 weeks.[7] In the developed world most deliveries occur in hospital,[8][9] while in the developing world most births take place at home with the support of a traditional birth attendant.[10]
The most common way of childbirth is a vaginal delivery.[3] It involves three stages of labour: the shortening and opening of the cervix, descent and birth of the baby, and the delivery of the placenta.[11] The first stage typically lasts twelve to nineteen hours, the second stage twenty minutes to two hours, and the third stage five to thirty minutes.[12] The first stage begins with crampy abdominal or back pains that last around half a minute and occur every ten to thirty minutes.[11] The crampy pains become stronger and closer together over time.[12] During the second stage pushing with contractions may occur.[12] In the third stage delayed clamping of the umbilical cord is generally recommended.[13] A number of methods can help with pain such as relaxation techniques, opioids, and spinal blocks.[12]
Most babies are born head first; however about 4% are born feet or buttock first, known as breech.[12][14] During labour a woman can generally eat and move around as she likes, but pushing is not recommended during the first stage or during delivery of the head, and enemas are not recommended.[15] While making a cut to the opening of the vagina is common, known as an episiotomy, it is generally not needed.[12] In 2012, about 23 million deliveries occurred by a surgical procedure known as Caesarean section.[16] Caesarean sections may be recommended for twins, signs of distress in the baby, or breech position.[12] This method of delivery can take longer to heal from.[12]
Each year, complications from pregnancy and childbirth result in about 500,000 maternal deaths, 7 million women have serious long term problems, and 50 million women have health negative outcomes following delivery.[2] Most of these occur in the developing world.[2] Specific complications include obstructed labour, postpartum bleeding, eclampsia, and postpartum infection.[2] Complications in the baby include birth asphyxia.[1]
