Understanding vaginal birth

A vaginal birth is when a baby is born from the uterus (womb), through the pelvis and out of the vagina (birth canal). It is one of the ways a baby can be born. It is a safe and healthy option, especially when pregnancy and labour are uncomplicated.

It is sometimes called a normal, physiological or natural birth. The word ‘normal’ does not mean it’s better than other types of birth or the only option. These terms are used to describe a birth that happens without major medical intervention. 

Some vaginal births happen naturally with little or no medical help. Others need extra support, such as induction (medicine to start labour) or instruments to help progress labour and keep you and your baby safe. A vaginal birth that needs support is called an instrument-assisted vaginal birth or assisted delivery.

Having a caesarean birth is another way to birth a baby. It can be planned or unplanned (for example, in an emergency). It is a common surgical procedure if you have a higher-risk pregnancy or labour complications. Your midwife or doctor can give you information about the benefits and risks of each option.

Having a vaginal birth has many benefits for mothers and babies.

Benefits for the mother

A vaginal birth may:

• help labour progress more effectively
• lower your risk of heavy bleeding after birth
• support your body’s natural recovery after labour
• help with early bonding with your baby
• improve mental and physical wellbeing

Benefits for the baby

Going through labour may help the baby to:

• get ready for birth
• get enough oxygen during labour
• adjust more easily after birth
• bond and develop early attachment and help with breastfeeding

There is no way to guarantee a vaginal birth, but having the right information and supportive, evidence-based care can help increase your chances of giving birth vaginally.

Things that can help include the following: 

• Continuity of care, such as being cared for by the same midwife or team throughout pregnancy and birth.
• Looking after your health during pregnancy, including eating well, staying active, and attending antenatal appointments.
• Preparing for birth by learning about labour, coping strategies and your birthing and pain relief options.
• Staying mobile and upright during labour, if it feels right for you.
• Creating a calm, supportive environment with people you trust.

In Australia, you have access to different models of care, and you can choose to have a vaginal birth or caesarean section. Speak to your midwife or doctor about your options and about what is important for you and your birth plan and preferences.

Read more on maternity models of care.

There are possible disadvantages of having a vaginal birth, but most are temporary and can be managed with good care. They can include one or more of these:

• Pain and discomfort during labour and in the days or weeks after birth.
• Birth injury to the mother such as tearing or pelvic floor damage.
• Possible need for stitches.
• Temporary bladder or bowel changes.
• Birth trauma — emotional distress leading to negative impacts on your health and wellbeing.

Like all types of birth, vaginal birth has some risks. This can include medical procedures or interventions that may be needed to help keep you and your baby safe, such as:

• assisted birth using forceps or a vacuum
• episiotomy (a surgical cut to the perineum to help a baby be born more quickly)
• emergency caesarean, if it becomes the safest option

These interventions are used to protect you and your baby’s health. You will make decisions about your birth as part of a shared decision-making process between you and your doctor or midwife. Unless it is a lifesaving emergency, your health team will explain any intervention they recommend, as well as the risks and benefits to you and your baby, before you can give your informed consent.

If you’re worried or feeling fear or anxiety around birth, it can be helpful to discuss how you are feeling with your midwife and doctor.

Asking questions can help you feel informed and involved in decisions about your care.

You might like to ask:

• Am I likely to be able to have a vaginal birth?
• What might make a vaginal birth more difficult for me?
• What pain relief options are available?
• What monitoring or tests might I need during labour?
• What are the risks and benefits of different interventions during birth?
• How will you support me if labour doesn’t go to plan?
• How will my preferences be respected?

Recovery after a vaginal birth is different for everyone. Some people feel physically better within days after giving birth, while others take weeks or longer.

Physical recovery

You may experience:

• vaginal soreness or swelling
• bleeding (lochia) for up to 6-8 weeks
• tiredness as your body recovers
• Period-like cramping as your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size

Gentle movement, rest, good nutrition, hydration and support can all help healing.

A physiotherapist can help with care of your pelvic floor.

Other allied health services can help you during your recovery such as:

• maternal and child health nurses
• continence nurses
• psychologists (Opens in new tab) and other mental health professionals (Opens in new tab)
• lactation consultants

Emotional recovery

It’s common to feel a mix of emotions after birth — from joy and relief to sadness and disappointment.

Talk to your midwife, doctor or child health nurse if you’re struggling emotionally or if low moods last longer than 2 weeks.

See your doctor for advice if you have problems that are not getting better such as:

• pain
• discomfort in your vagina
• urine leaking
• trouble with your bowel function
• painful sex
• low mood or anxiety

Not everyone can or chooses to have a vaginal birth, and that’s OK.

A planned or elective caesarean or emergency caesarean birth can be the safest option for you or your baby. Caesarean birth is a common and well-established procedure, and many parents have positive experiences.

What matters most is that you receive respectful care, clear information and support with whatever type of birth you have. Your midwife or doctor can give you information about the benefits and risks of each option.

You don’t have to navigate pregnancy and birth alone. If you’d like more information or support, the following organisations and services can help:

• Queensland Health has further resources for parents and carers about labour, birth and following birth (Opens in new tab) including instrumental vaginal birth (Opens in new tab).
• The Royal Women’s Hospital offers a wide range of fact sheets (Opens in new tab) about labour, birth and following birth.
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has a pamphlet about labour and birth (Opens in new tab).

• Birthing on Country (Opens in new tab) supports culturally safe, community-led maternity care for First Nations families.
• Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) (Opens in new tab) near you.

Languages other than English

• The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health offers a library of pregnancy, birth and postpartum resources (Opens in new tab) in many languages.
• Monash has health information translated (Opens in new tab) into many languages, including pregnancy care topics.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse families

• Rainbow Health Australia has a library of practical resources (Opens in new tab) on services for LGBTIQ+ and gender-diverse families.
• QLife (Opens in new tab) is a free, national phone and webchat service that provides anonymous peer support and referrals for LGBTIQ+ people and their families.