During a natural delivery the baby is born through the mother’s vagina. A natural delivery lasts between 12 and 18 hours for the first child. A 2nd delivery generally lasts less time.
Before the baby is born, the mother has contractions. The muscles in the uterus squeeze together.
Natural delivery: woman giving birth to her baby.
Contractions
The contractions open up the cervix (the entrance of the uterus). When the cervix is open wide enough, you are ready for delivery.
Woman having contractions.
Woman having contractions.
Pregnant woman standing. The focus is on the internal sexual organs with the baby inside the uterus.
Pregnant woman standing. The focus is on the internal sexual organs with the baby inside the uterus.
The contractions make the cervix, the entrance to the uterus, open up.
The contractions make the cervix, the entrance to the uterus, open up.
The cervix is wider.
The cervix is wider.
When the cervix is open wide enough, the baby can be born.
When the cervix is open wide enough, the baby can be born.
To ease the pain during contractions you can:
- move around;
- use breathing techniques;
- take a bath to relax;
- get aids like a hot pillow or a ball chair;
- ask for an epidural (local) anaesthetic: an injection in the lower back, if you deliver in a hospital or birth centre. The injection can be given while you are sitting or lying.
A woman relieving pain during delivery: she is sitting on a special stool.
A woman relieving pain during delivery: she is sitting on a special stool.
A woman relieving pain during delivery: she is crouching.
A woman relieving pain during delivery: she is crouching.
Doctor giving an epidural (local) anaesthetic: an injection in the lower back to ease the pain during contractions.
Doctor giving an epidural (local) anaesthetic: an injection in the lower back to ease the pain during contractions.
Delivery in a hospital or birth centre
You are received by a midwife.
The midwife:
- Registers the contractions and the heart sounds of the foetus with a monitor;
- Carries out a vaginal examination;
- Answers all your questions during labour.
A gynaecologist is informed about your upcoming delivery.
During delivery, your partner or another person of your choice can stay with you.
If the opening of the vagina is not wide enough to give birth, the doctor makes a small incision with scissors in the tissue between the vagina and the anus (perineum). Sometimes the tissue tears open spontaneously.
The baby comes out of the vagina. The umbilical cord is cut.
10 to 30 minutes after delivery, the placenta leaves your body.
Father cutting the umbilical cord of the baby.
Father cutting the umbilical cord of the baby.
Placenta leaving the woman’s body, 10 to 30 minutes after delivery.
Placenta leaving the woman’s body, 10 to 30 minutes after delivery.
Delivery at home
If you would like to deliver at home, discuss this with your doctor and midwife. If there are no obvious risks, you can deliver at home. Your gynaecologist or midwife will guide you during delivery.
More information or help needed?
Family doctor
You can talk to a family doctor about almost every intimate issue. If necessary the family doctor can refer you to a specialised health professional. Find a family doctor in your neighbourhood:
Gynaecologist
In Belgium, you can make an appointment directly with the gynaecologist without a referral from your family doctor. However, your family doctor can help you find a gynaecologist.
Midwife
A midwife helps pregnant women before, during and after delivery. Find a midwife in your neighbourhood:
Community health centre (wijkgezondheidscentrum)
You can visit a family doctor in a community health centre. Other care professionals such as nurses and social workers also work at community health centres. Care is provided free of charge. Find a community health centre in your neighbourhood:
CAW - Centrum Algemeen Welzijn
Centre for general well-being - Help with all kinds of issues: a difficult relationship, medical, financial, administrative, legal or material problems, family problems,... CAWs also provide assistance to victims of violence and abuse. Find a CAW in your neighbourhood:
Aquarelle
Prenatal and postnatal care for women who migrated to Belgium
02 535 47 13
Prenataal steunpunt - Bevrijdingslaan
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Brussel
Free prenatal care
02 229 50 17, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - De Sloep
Free prenatal care
09 234 38 58, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Mechelen
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Pothoekstraat
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Sint-Bernardsesteenweg
Free prenatal care
03 285 44 36, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Willy Vandersteenplein
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Kind en Gezin
Assistance to (prospective) parents with information, practical tips and medical follow-up until the child is 3 years of age. Services are for free.
078 150 100
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg Amerijtje
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
070 22 23 54
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg De Bakermat
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
016 20 77 40
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg De Kraamvogel
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
03 238 11 00
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg De Wieg
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
0473 45 14 38, 050 33 02 70
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg Kraamkaravaan
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
09 333 57 60
Expertisecentrum Kraamzorg Volle maan
Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.
02 229 25 58, 0478 88 11 86
