NORMAL DELIVERY VS CAESAREAN SECTION

Are you waiting for that big day in your life? Are you thinking of the delivery process? Are you aware of both normal and caesarean method of giving birth? Are you clueless about which delivery option is safe for you and your baby? Don’t worry! Reading this article will help you find answers to all your queries.

The most beautiful quality of a mother is to give birth to their babies. The babies can enter into this world in 2 ways: pregnant women can have either a vaginal birth or a planned surgical delivery by caesarean section. The ultimate goal is to give birth to a healthy baby. Arm yourself with handy information and talk to your doctor and find out which suits you the best.

All you need to know about caesarean section:

A c-section or caesarean section is the delivery of the baby through a surgical incision made in the mother’s uterus and abdomen. Caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks so it is done only if it is the safest option for the baby and mother.

Why are cesareans carried out?

In some cases, it is scheduled in advance whereas in others it is done in response to unforeseen complications. If a vaginal birth is too risky then doctors go for a caesarean surgery.

A caesarean may be carried out in the following cases:

• If your baby is in the breech position (feet first) and doctors are unable to turn it by applying gentle pressure on your tummy.
• If you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
• If you have low-lying placenta
• If your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
• If there’s excessive vaginal bleeding
• If you are carrying more than one baby

Some women opt for caesarean than normal delivery even without medical reasons. In such cases, they should be made aware of the risks and complications associated with it.

What happens during a caesarean?

Most cesareans are carried under spinal or epidural anesthetic which means you will be awake but the lower part of your body will be numbed so that you won’t feel the pain.

During the procedure:

• A catheter is inserted into the urethra to drain urine during the procedure.
• A screen is placed across your body so you can’t see what is being done. Doctors and nurses will tell you what is happening.
• A cut of about 10-20 cm long is made across your tummy and womb so that your baby may be delivered.
• You may feel some tugging and pull during the procedure.
• Once the cord is cut you can have a chance of looking at your baby before handing him or her to the pediatrician.
• The doctor will then deliver your placenta and begin closing up the cut.

Recovering from a caesarean:

      Recovering from caesarean takes much longer time than recovering from vaginal delivery. You may have to stay for a longer duration at the hospital. One might feel discomfort with their tummy and you will be provided painkillers to cope up with this. The wound in your tummy will be red at first and slowly it begins to scar. In some time, it gets hidden in your pubic hair.

Risks factors associated with caesarean:

Though it seems to be the safest procedure it has its own risk and complications associated with it. You should be even more aware of the risks if you undergo this surgery without medical reasons.

The possible risks are:

• ¨ Infection in womb lining or the wound
• ¨ Excessive bleeding
• ¨ Blood clots
• ¨ Temporary breathing difficulties in your baby
• ¨ Damage to nearby areas such as bladder and tubes that connect to kidneys

Women are 3 times likely to die during a caesarean section than during a vaginal birth. This is due to blood clots, infections, complications from using anesthesia. Once a woman had her first c-section delivery then her future pregnancies are also likely to be the same way. She is also at greater risk of future pregnancy complications such as uterine rupture and placenta abnormalities. The risk for placenta continues to increase with every c-section delivery.

Future pregnancies after caesarean:

  If you have a baby by caesarean then it does not mean that all your successive pregnancy will also be caesarean. Most women can safely have a vaginal delivery for their next baby that is known as vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). You will just have to ensure if all processing goes on smoothly. Some cases, men may be advised to take up another caesarean if that is only the safest procedure for both the mother and the baby.

However, there are not a lot of advantages in a caesarean section. If the women know in advance that she will need a c-section, then a surgery can be planned and scheduled well in advance depending on the health condition of the mother and the baby.

All you need to know about normal delivery:

Every delivery is unique and individual as the mother and the infant. Giving birth will leave an impression on you for rest of your life. It is so obvious that each one of you would like to have a positive experience and should know what to expect? Here we give you some ideas about what may happen as you deliver a baby.

The vaginal birth is the most natural way of giving birth. Once you give birth the vaginal way, your hospital stay after the delivery is shorter, there is no incision or major scarring nor is it surgically invasive. The recovery time after a vaginal birth is lesser also the complications after a vaginal birth is much lesser than a caesarean section.

Vaginal birth has many benefits for the babies too. Both the mother and the child will prepare and progress naturally for the vaginal birth. As your baby passes through the vaginal opening, all the amniotic fluid present in the baby’s lungs will be flushed out, your baby will also ingest some protective bacteria that will strengthen the immune system.

One more added advantage for the baby is that the mother can come in contact with the baby much earlier than the women who has undergone a surgery. The woman can also initiate breastfeeding sooner.

What happens during a normal delivery?

The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus which finally opens into the vagina. The cervix is a tubular structure with 3-4 cm in length. During the labor, the role of the cervix changes from maintaining the pregnancy to facilitating childbirth. The cervical canal must open until the cervical opening reached 10 cm in diameter and the baby is able to pass through the canal. Though there aren’t any significant injuries, the cervix may tear and requires repair. The vaginal tissues are soft and flexible but still during the process of giving birth, due to extensive force or rapid motion these tissues are subjected to tear.

What to expect after a normal delivery?

About 70% of the women having their first baby will have some sort of vaginal trauma requiring repair. Fortunately, the vagina and the cervix have a rich blood supply so the wounds in these areas will heal quickly.

If you decide to give birth naturally then you will go through two types of sensations: pain and pressure. As you begin to push, some of the pressure will be relieved. As the baby descends into the birth canal, you will experience pressure only during the contractions. It feels like a strong urge to have a bowel movement as the baby presses down the canal.

It has some cons too. In a vaginal birth, the entire process depends on the body’s readiness and timing. Hence, the process cannot be scheduled in advance and the mother has to be prepared all the while to give birth.

Which is better normal delivery or caesarean section?

A normal delivery is much better because when you go through caesarean, the recovery time is much longer. It might take up to 3 weeks for complete recovery and it is very difficult to walk or even move. As you are in pain, it becomes difficult to take care of the baby as well.

Here are some tips if you are planning to have a natural way of giving birth:

• Get a solid prenatal education
• Pick a health care provider who is into natural birth
• Do not gain too much weight
• Go for a low intervention pregnancy
• Spend early labor at home
• Use a lot of water for easing pain

To know more about normal delivery and caesarean sections, the treatment procedures and to get more health tips contact our doctors on free doctor helpline. Log on to Free doctor helpline or call us at +918010555444.