: Labor is started or stimulated by healthcare providers using medication (like Pitocin) or manual techniques.
Vaginal birth is the most common method of childbirth, where a baby is born through the birth canal. Healthcare providers typically prefer this method as it is generally safer for both the mother and the infant, often resulting in shorter recovery times and fewer complications in future pregnancies.
Labor and delivery are typically divided into three distinct stages, as outlined in clinical resources like StatPearls :