09/11/2025
During a normal vaginal delivery, the baby doesn’t just come out at once. It goes through a series of movements called the cardinal movements of labour.
These movements help the baby fit through the mother’s pelvis and come out safely.
The first is engagement, which means the widest part of the baby’s head has entered the pelvic brim showing that the head is fixed in the pelvis.
After that, the baby continues to move down through the birth canal, and this is called descent.
As the baby goes lower, it bends its head forward so that the chin touches the chest - this is flexion. Flexion helps the baby present the smallest part of the head, making it easier to pass through the pelvis.
Next is internal rotation, where the baby’s head turns to face the mother’s back. This rotation allows the head to align properly with the mother’s pelvic outlet.
When the baby’s head reaches the vaginal opening, it straightens out — this is called extension. Extension helps the head to pass under the p***c bone and come out.
After the head is born, it slightly turns to one side so the shoulders can fit through — this is external rotation or restitution.
Finally, the shoulders and the rest of the body are delivered — this last step is called expulsion.
