Read Now |
When it comes to giving birth, everyone has the same goal: get the child out! How we achieve that is sometimes an individual decision and other times a medical necessity.
If you're pregnant and trying to choose the best decision for you, which is better, normal delivery or a c section delivery, which is also known as a C-section or cesarean section-there are some key contrasts to consider, as well as questions you should ask your doctor.
This article reviews each birthing option, their related healing and recovery times, and their risks and complexities. To help you get a better understanding of what it resembles in the delivery room, let us consider the experiences of both C-section vs natural birth.
Each delivery has its own set of positives and negatives. Vaginal birth is a natural way of giving birth, but it is prudent to discuss with your doctor which option is a more secure option for you in your present condition. The following are some of the advantages and risks of c section vs natural birth.
Advantages of Cesarean Delivery:
- In cases where the mother or child is at risk due to a medical condition, a cesarean delivery is often safer than vaginal delivery, and it lowers the death rate and illness in both mother and child.
- Deliveries can be scheduled for the comfort of the mother.
- Elective cesarean delivery has become an easy way out, is efficient, and predictable.
- Benefits for moms are that it provides a modest protective effect against loss of urine control in future life.
- Benefits for children include that cesarean delivery is a life-saving operation for them in dangerous circumstances during the birth process. It decreases mortality and morbidity rates in children during birth.
Disadvantages of Cesarean Delivery:
- Prolonged hospital stays
- Chances are lower for the early start of breastfeeding.
- There are higher risks of repeat hospitalizations for both the mother and infant.
- Expensive method of delivery.
Risks for mothers are that there is
- A higher risk of blood loss or blood clots.
- Pain at the surgical incision site
- Prolonged recovery period (as long as two months once in a while).
- Due to uterine scarring, there is a higher risk of mother's death during cesarean delivery than during vaginal delivery.
- Multiple times higher illness and death rates during cesarean delivery than during vaginal delivery because of complications, for example,
1) Bleeding.
2) Sepsis is a life-threatening infection in the body.
3) Thromboembolism (obstruction of the blood vessels due to a blood clot).
4) Amniotic fluid embolism (fluid surrounding the child enters into the mother's bloodstream).
- A higher risk of placental issues and womb rupture in future pregnancies, which can cause severe illness, complications, and a higher death rate in moms.
- A higher risk of the necessity of cesarean delivery in future pregnancies.
- A weakening of the belly muscles
Risks for children:
- While going through the normal birth section, the child's contact with the mother's vaginal germinal flora provides immunity to the infant against specific bacteria.
- Infants born via caesarean delivery have a lower chance of developing a strong immune system, and their risks of asthma, atopic dermatitis (skin allergy), and celiac disease are higher.
- There is a higher risk of breathing issues, for example, asthma in children that may extend well into their childhood.
- There is a higher chance of the child being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit after delivery.
- A higher chance of the baby being born dead (stillbirth).
- Premature delivery or early-term delivery may carry a high risk of pulmonary complications in children, particularly in infants born through cesarean delivery without work.
Advantages of Vaginal Delivery:
- There is less risk of blood loss, scarring, infections, and complications with anesthesia or pain medications.
- Vaginal delivery eliminates fluids from the child's lungs as it goes through the birth passage.
- Access to helpful bacteria for the child while going through the birth canal might uphold the child's immunity system.
- It allows more immediate contact between the mother and child.
- It allows a faster initiation of breastfeeding.
- Short hospital stays are generally for 2 to 3 days.
- Speedy recovery is frequently achieved in a couple of days to a week.
Risks of Vaginal Delivery:
- The process is longer and more physically demanding for the mother.
- It might stretch the vagina, or the risk of vaginal tear and internal injuries is higher and may be lessened in some cases by an episiotomy or stitches.
- Possible risk of difficulties in the mother, such as loss of bowel and urine control, which could last a lifetime.
- There is a higher risk of complications in twin deliveries.
- There is a higher risk of moderate-to-serious pressure incontinence (urine control) in women who have delivered vaginally than in those who have delivered by caesarean (10% versus 5%).
- There will be a sore groin area, normally only for a couple of days.
- There is a possible weakening of the groin muscles.
What Does "Normal Delivery” Mean?
Delivery of a full-term infant (37-42 weeks from the last menses of the mother) through the vagina without the usage of forceps or vacuum for help is known as a "normal delivery of a child." It is the most preferred option of delivery; that is, two out of every three deliveries are normal.
What Does "Cesarean Delivery" Mean?
A cesarean delivery is a surgery to deliver children through a horizontal or vertical entry point in the mother's belly. The operation is used solely to save the mother and child's lives. It is also called a C-segment or cesarean section.
During this surgery, the mother's belly muscles are isolated to make a second cut on the wall of the womb. Then, the child is extracted through the womb wall, and then stitched to close the womb and belly. It is generally necessary when a vaginal delivery would put both the child and mother at risk.
When Is Cesarean Delivery Suggested?
Vaginal delivery has far fewer risks to both the mother and child than cesarean delivery. However, your doctor may recommend cesarean delivery if
- You have twins or triplets in your womb.
- There is hindered work.
- Your unborn child is in distress.
- Your unborn child is too big to be delivered vaginally.
- You have past cesarean deliveries.
- Your unborn child is in a completely false position, or a position other than the vertex.
- Placenta previa is noticed.
- There are a few complications with the child's umbilical cord.
- You have specific infections or sexually transmitted infections that have a higher possibility of giving birth to your child during the vaginal delivery process.
- You might have chosen this option on your own volition for delivery.