Cesarean section or traditional birth. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Society is divided on many topics, and the method of childbirth is no exception. Whether you prefer a caesarean section or a natural birth, some form of pain is inevitable during the arrival of your baby into the world. Opinions on both types of births vary because while someone may have a bad experience with a natural birth, someone else may have gone through a difficult C-section. Each birth is individual and depending on the mother's pregnancy history and certain unchangeable circumstances, many risky situations can occur in the case of both methods of birth. That is also why it is very difficult to judge which one is better for the mother and the child.
Author:Sarah Johnson
Updated: 06.12.2023
In the following paragraphs of our article, we have summarized some essential information about the advantages and disadvantages of caesarean section and natural childbirth, whether a woman has a choice, or what circumstances may lead doctors to decide on a change in the form of childbirth.
Section vs birth
While natural birth is, in the eyes of some women, the embodiment of a strong experience and a strong bond that is formed between them and their newborns during the painful process, a caesarean section, also called a section, is somewhat more complicated. A pregnant woman cannot decide on an operation such as a caesarean section just from one day to the next. Vaginal birth is always chosen primarily. However, if complications occur during pregnancy or directly during childbirth that could endanger the life of the mother and child, the section is approached.
Caesarean section takes place either in a local, so-called spinal anesthesia, or in complete anesthesia, while the entire operative process consists in creating a linear cut above the pubic bone, from where the baby itself is pulled out after the abdominal muscles are stretched and the uterus is cut. There is a difference between a planned and an emergency caesarean section. It is already clear from their names that while the mother can prepare for one, the other is approached depending on the risk situation that has arisen.
The most common reasons for choosing a section include risky situations when the fetus is in the wrong position, is excessively large due to the narrowed pelvis of the mother, has an umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, but also premature separation of the placenta, multiple pregnancy or a slowed baby's heartbeat.
Nowadays, even mothers themselves are leaning towards caesarean section, who want to make childbirth more pleasant in this way, while many are afraid of the negative consequences of natural childbirth on their sex life.
Natural childbirth has always been the basic way of bringing children into the world, and despite the fact that it is often a very long and painful process, the experience remains in a woman's memory for the rest of her life. Of course, in this case, complications can also arise, which will worsen the perception of a classic birth several times over in the eyes of the mother. These are mostly associated with tearing or necessary cutting of the perineum, which subsequently requires a certain amount of care in the form of painful suturing.
In spite of the fact that a natural birth puts an incredible strain on the mother's body and requires her to use her last reserves of energy and strength, in the case of a caesarean section, it is an operation from which the woman's body recovers significantly longer than after a vaginal birth.
Advantages and disadvantages of caesarean section and natural birth
Regardless of what preferences and opinions about caesarean section and natural birth prevail in your area, the fact remains that both methods of birth have their advantages and disadvantages. However, each case is individual, which is why even a vaginal delivery can turn into an acute caesarean section very quickly.
C-section
Although it is true that a caesarean section is a kind of painless form of childbirth, it is true that what you avoid during the arrival of the baby will catch up with you in the postpartum stage. Although you will avoid painful contractions, the subsequent pushing of the fetus even with the last of your strength and possible tearing, or incision of the perineum, but recovery is a very difficult and frustrating process for many women in the case of a section. This can lead to further complications, such as infection, bleeding from the cut, fever or intestinal problems. Some complications may even lead to the need to perform another operation, which automatically delays the date of leaving the hospital.
Since a caesarean section is considered a surgical procedure, it is necessary for the mother to be on an infusion for at least two days after the operation. So definitely don't expect to be happily walking around the hospital room with a baby in your arms a few hours after giving birth. Since recovery is very long and painful for a woman's body, the baby is mostly taken care of in the first days by pediatric nurses and the neonatal ward.
The disadvantage of caesarean section is also the required one-year gap between two pregnancies. This is mainly in the interest of the woman and her caesarean wound, which may seem healed on the surface, but the opposite is mostly true. It is also necessary to remember that there is a certain limit of caesarean sections that a woman can undergo during her life. By section, a woman can give birth to a child a maximum of three times.
Another of the disadvantages of cesarean section is the absence of a partner or other close person during childbirth. But considering that it is a surgical procedure, this aspect is quite logical. Even if a caesarean section at the mother's own request is not allowed in our region, a justified planned section gives the expectant mother the opportunity to choose the date of birth of her baby. However, the term must, of course, fall within the norm related to the week of pregnancy in which the planned caesarean section can be performed. A pregnant woman can go to a justified section in the 39th week of pregnancy.
Planning a caesarean section also has a great advantage in the form of a lower level of stress from the aspect of an organic procedure. A pregnant woman knows exactly what will happen before, during, and after a caesarean section, while a woman giving birth naturally cannot know when her labor will start, which leads to nervousness about the trip to the hospital and uncertainty about the length the duration of the birth itself.
From the point of view of the newborn and his encounter with the "outside world", a caesarean section is a bigger shock for him than a natural birth. Before he passes through the birth canal, he has time to expel excess fluid from his lungs, which, however, can cause breathing problems in the case of a C-section. Children born by caesarean section therefore have a lower defense capacity and are more susceptible to various diseases immediately after birth, but also in other phases of life. A caesarean section is considered an operation, and therefore an unnatural intervention in the body of a pregnant woman. For this reason too, in medical circles, natural childbirth is considered the preferred method of childbirth.
Natural birth
Natural birth occurs when the fetal egg has fully matured. Therefore, childbirth occurs when the baby, together with your body, is ready for a monumental arrival. One of the biggest disadvantages is the fact that natural birth can happen at any time. Of course, there is a predetermined date on which the baby should arrive, but the arrival of the newborn can happen at any time before or after the set date. However, most women are perfectly prepared for childbirth and everything that this natural process entails.
Of course, even during a natural birth, complications can occur, which often stem from a misunderstanding of the obstetrician's and midwife's instructions. It is therefore advisable to prepare for this form of birth, especially in the form of reading a sufficient amount of verified information that can help you understand the birth process at the time when your body is going through it. A woman's body is naturally set up for a classic vaginal birth.
Compared to caesarean section, natural birth is preferred especially from the point of view of recovery. While the section causes painful healing, after a vaginal birth the mother is able to stand on her feet after only a few hours. Assuming that the natural birth will take place without complications, and therefore the woman perceives it as a positive experience, the psychological well-being of the woman will also be transferred to the developing bond between her and the baby, which she will also be able to take care of earlier than a woman giving birth by caesarean section.
The biggest advantage of natural childbirth is the presence of a partner or other close person by your side during the entire birth. If there are problems that may lead to the need for an acute caesarean section, you will be given anesthesia and your partner will have to leave the operating room. The disadvantage and the most important factor that plays in favor of a caesarean section in the eyes of many women is the change in birth routes, or their stretching. They will probably never get back to their original state from their post-natal form.
Although it is true that natural childbirth is the most suitable way of bringing a child into the world, this does not mean that it is a problem-free journey. While the baby "fights its way" through the birth canal, it can be attacked, which can lead to the formation of permanent scars. The same is true if the obstetrician is forced to use birthing tools, which may also inadvertently injure the incoming baby in some way. Despite this, it is a less risky form of childbirth, which is very beneficial for both you and your baby's physical and mental health. That is also why it is better if you leave everything in the hands of nature and your body. This, of course, depends on whether a natural birth is possible from the aspect of the pregnancy history.
Can a woman choose the form of childbirth?
Nowadays, more and more women are trying to convince doctors to give birth by caesarean section, because they are convinced of the benefits of this procedure. It is also caused by the fact that many famous personalities choose this form of birth. Caesarean section at your own request is not allowed. Of course, there can be exceptions, when the doctor allows himself to be convinced, but in most cases there must be a certain justification for performing a caesarean section, stemming from the state of health of the mother or the fetus itself.
Natural birth or caesarean section - experiences
As we have already mentioned above, opinions on both methods of childbirth differ, and it is no different even on the discussion forums. While some women had a problem-free natural birth, which took longer, but recovered much sooner than mothers after a caesarean section, other discussants praised the section, considering it a simpler and painless form of birth.
Several women agreed on the negative consequences after a caesarean section, which lead to health complications for both the mother and the baby. Whether you prefer a natural birth or a caesarean section, the truth is that everything depends on the specific circumstances that occur during and after the birth. However, the woman will not influence them in any way. It is definitely best to listen to the recommendations of experts or your own intuition.
The most frequent questions - FAQ
Are you also interested in other information regarding caesarean section and natural birth or the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of birth? Can you think of other questions that were not answered in the text of the article or in the question and answer section? Do not hesitate to put them in the comments below the article.
Can I have a natural birth after a caesarean section?
How should I prepare for a caesarean section?
In which week can I plan a caesarean section?
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