Vaginal Delivery
 A routine vaginal delivery is usually performed once a pregnancy
becomes full term. This is usually between the 37th and 42nd weeks of
pregnancy. In most cases, the cervix begins to dilate and efface in the
days and weeks leading up to delivery. Labor may begin on its own, or an
obstetrician may induce labor by rupturing the amniotic sac or
administering labor-inducing drugs. Labor may last from a few minutes to
many hours, during which time a laboring woman’s obstetrician can offer
pain management options. When the cervix dilates to
When labor begins, uterine contractions help the cervix rapidly
dilate and also move the baby into the birth canal, usually in a
head-down position. Once the cervix reaches approximately 10 centimeters
in diameter, the obstetrician may instruct a laboring mother to push
intermittently until the baby’s head crowns, followed by the remainder
of the body. Following birth, a few additional contractions may follow
to expel the placenta.
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Dr. Han’s practice deals with a large spectrum
of women’s health related issues from preventive yearly checkups to obstetrics and gynecological
management. She is fluent in both
English and Korean languages.
