Caesarean or normal delivery: which one is safer

Dr.Madhulika Sinha, 4 mins read

Whenever it comes to a baby’s birth, this question often becomes the topic of debate. Some favour the caesarean or c-sector option, while others advocate for normal or vaginal delivery. As a result, the mom-to-be often gets confused. So, which one is the best option?

Well, there’s a much need to understand that each has its own sets of pros and cons. Here, we will discuss this in detail:

Caesarean or normal delivery: What’s the difference?

A caesarean or c-section is a surgical procedure in which a doctor makes an incision on the mother’s abdomen to take out the baby. On the other hand, in normal delivery or vaginal delivery, the cervix thins and opens and the uterus contracts to push the baby down towards the birth canal and out of the vagina. 

Normal Delivery

Advantages - More Psychological

• Allows more immediate contact between mom and baby and quicker initiation of breastfeeding. 
• Fewer risks of blood loss, infection, scarring and complications related to infection and pain medications.
• Shorter hospital stay and quick recovery.
• A baby gets beneficial bacteria when she passes through the birth canal. These bacteria support the baby’s immunity.
• Eliminate the fluid from the baby’s lungs when she passes through the birth passage.

Risks

• Longer process and demands more physical strength and patience.
• Groin muscles can weaken.
• The tissue around the vagina can tear because of strain.
• Difficulty controlling urine and bowel movement.
• Chances of pain in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus).
• Possibility of injury in the pelvic muscles.
• Long labour may cause a baby to suffer from a bruised scalp.

Caesarean Delivery

Advantages

• A better option for both mom and baby if vaginal delivery involves complications.
• Usually, it can be done in just 45 minutes, which is far less than normal delivery.
• Reduce the risk of illness and death for both mom and baby.
• Allows to schedule the delivery as per convenience.
• Efficient and safer option and labour pains avoided.

Risks

• Risk of transient tachypnea of newborn because lung fluid is not eliminated
• Takes a little longer to recover than normal delivery.
• Quite expensive than vaginal delivery.
• Risk of infection, pain or soreness in the incision site and blood loss and clotting. However, if the surgery is performed by an expert, the chances of complications can be reduced.
• Risk of scar pregnancy and complications like placenta accreta and percreta in next pregnancy.

When is a caesarean required?

Although normal delivery involves fewer risks, in high-risk pregnancies, a c-section is the only viable option. Here are some high-risk pregnancy scenarios:

• If the baby us transverse or breech ( Head Up )
• The mother is carrying twins or triplets.
• The foetus is growth retarded and cervix not favourable.
• The mother-to-be's age is more than 35.
• The mother has diabetes, blood clotting issues, and preeclampsia.
• The baby is too large.
• The mother has obstructed labour or previously had a c-section delivery.
• Placenta is low lying ( PLACENTA PRAEVIA )

Role of a doctor in decision making

If you are a mom-to-be, you should talk to your doctor to know about which type of delivery will be the better and safest option for you. She will evaluate your health conditions and conduct some tests to help you decide. At Aakash Healthcare, we have a special and self-designed program (Aakash MomMe). The program includes full-fledged support for expecting parents before and during pregnancy, baby’s birth, and post-natal care. The doctor will also advise you on a diet plan and parenting and breastfeeding tips.

Also, Read: Pregnancy Hospital Visits: How to Plan