Should You Choose A Caesarean Section Or Vaginal Birth?

Bringing a baby into the world is a wonderful experience. To do this, some women choose a caesarean section to avoid pain, while others prefer a traditional vaginal birth.

Choosing between caesarean section or vaginal birth is a common question among pregnant women. Some people choose the traditional method and give birth to their babies vaginally. Others, however, prefer to have the largest number of variables under control and therefore choose cesarean section.

Vaginal birth is a natural process. However, many women will avoid it because of fear of the pain, or because they are afraid it may cause irreversible damage to the vagina.

Cesarean section or vaginal birth?

Babies are born every day, either by caesarean section or vaginal birth, and the decision is up to the parents and their obstetrician. Usually, the latter will be present during the birth, and is therefore responsible for determining the ideal method according to each situation.

In addition, this decision can be changed at the last minute as the birth begins. The most common reason for this is due to a high-risk birth. Then the doctor may decide to perform a caesarean section in a short time.

The difference between a cesarean section and a vaginal birth

The main difference between a natural birth and a caesarean section is that the latter is a surgical procedure that lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. If planned, it should be performed after 39 weeks of pregnancy, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Physical differences

“Which is less painful: cesarean section or natural birth?”

This is a common question among first-time mothers. There is no vaginal enlargement with surgery, unlike a natural birth. Therefore, this type of pain is not present with a cesarean section.

This procedure is usually performed with an epidural, a type of anesthesia that numbs the lower part of the body and is inserted into the lower back. The mother is awake during the operation. The effect lasts between an hour and an hour and a half. For the next 24 to 48 hours afterwards, the pain is controlled with intravenous painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

While the pain is more controlled during a caesarean section, the woman may experience some pain afterwards.

The baby’s immune system

Before birth, babies are virtually sterile – that is, free of viruses and bacteria. However, some bacteria are necessary for the organs to function properly. When the baby is born vaginally, it gets the healthy bacteria from its mother.

In the case of a caesarean section, the baby does not receive the mother’s microbiota. In general, they will only absorb it from the environment in which they were born, and from the people around them, and eventually also from their mother. Unfortunately, most of these bacteria are unknown to their immune system.

A study conducted by the University of Copenhagen concluded that a caesarean section provides a long-term deficit of bacteria that is the key to building the immune system.

The intestinal flora of children born vaginally is different from that of children born by caesarean section. The latter have a lower amount of cells associated with immune factors. This increases the risk of suffering from diseases such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and severe allergies.

After the birth

After a caesarean section or natural birth, women need a lot of rest for the body to heal. Therefore, no housework is allowed. If they have other children, they should be careful when caring for them.

The postpartum period is often one of the most difficult for mothers and their families. Furthermore, this stage is much more complex for women who have had a caesarean section.

In both cases, the new mother should get enough rest and avoid lifting anything heavy.

When it comes to vaginal birth, however, the pain lasts for a short time. With a caesarean section, it will take several days and maybe weeks to heal. To perform the caesarean section, the woman must have surgery, and for this reason she will have two scars – both an external scar in the skin and an internal one in the uterus.

How to know if you should choose a caesarean section or vaginal birth?

Many people struggle to choose between a cesarean section or a vaginal birth. Although the latter is usually safer for the mother and baby, there are cases where it is necessary to perform a caesarean section.

Advantages and disadvantages of cesarean section

Benefits:

Cesarean section is virtually painless because the epidural numbs the entire lower body.
Secondly, one can know the date of birth in advance and prepare better.
The operation lasts only a few hours, including the preparation time.

Disadvantages:

It is an operation with anesthesia, and any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection and damage to other organs.
It takes at least one to two months to recover after a caesarean section.
Mothers have difficulty getting up and walking during the first week. It requires a lot of support from family and friends.
Among the negative effects of anesthesia are nausea, dizziness and vomiting during the days after the caesarean section.

Pros and cons of vaginal birth

Benefits

The safety risk for vaginal birth, such as excessive blood loss, kidney damage and the chances of infections is lower than with caesarean section.
Blood pressure is more stable.
The supply of oxygen to the placenta, and to the baby, is better than during the caesarean section.

The baby is more alert because the birth canal stimulates the senses.
The mother’s body releases oxytocin, which stimulates the production of milk and the bond between mother and baby.

Disadvantages:

There is a risk of getting a urine leak after giving birth.
Vaginal birth occurs spontaneously, in contrast to cesarean section.
There is a risk of tearing in the vagina. There is also a possibility that the doctor chooses to perform an episiotomy (clipping).

If you have not decided on a caesarean section or vaginal birth, you can discuss it with your midwife or obstetrician. They know your medical history and know all about the baby’s development in the womb. In some cases, a caesarean section is recommended if the child is in a sitting position.

Women older than 35 years are more prone to complications during natural childbirth, and may consider a caesarean section. Then they will have a team of specialized doctors looking after them.

Cesarean section or vaginal birth: Conclusion

Mothers who choose vaginal birth are more aware of what is happening around them and will have a complete experience of the baby’s arrival in the world. They can even see and get their little one in their arms as soon as their baby is born.

However, there are many reasons why a woman would choose a caesarean section. Regardless, it is important to take into account that every pregnant woman has different needs. Therefore, the final decision must be considered carefully, and with the advice of an obstetrician.