Should I have a planned c-sections?
A growing number of women have chosen to deliver their babies by Cesarean section (c-section) rather than the more traditional vaginal delivery. The reasons generally fall within three categories: they fear the pain of labor, they want to avoid the risks of tearing, weakened muscles, or sexual problems, or they like the benefit of choosing a date for delivery.
Risks and Benefits of Planning a C-Section
What is more natural than a vaginal delivery? It is the accepted way of bringing a child into the world. Not so many years ago a c-section delivery was only done if there were some sort of complication. Indeed, women who ended up having a c-section where considered deprived in some way because she didn’t get to “do it right”. Well, times have changed.
Some mothers are concerned that a c-section baby may not take to the breast as easily as one born vaginally. Another worry is that the bonding processes will somehow be disturbed. But neither is true. All studies have shown that babies born vaginally and the ones born by c-section react to breastfeeding appropriately. The bonding process happens over time. Nevertheless, now days a c-section mother can hold her baby right after birth just the same as long as she communicates her wishes to the doctor.
The death rate for full term babies born vaginally is 2 in 1,000. Those numbers go up if the baby is 10 pounds or more, is in a breech position, or in the case of multiples. In those cases it is more likely that forceps are used to get the baby out. Use of forceps can cause damage to the baby. The main reason for this is that the trip through the birth canal can cause brain injury, it’s rare but it happens.
The medical world could really benefit from more thorough research on the subject of vaginal versus c-section delivery. Many obstetricians feel it is their ethical obligation to talk women out of elective c-sections. Others believe that women should be informed and choose for themselves. Those who believe that c-sections should only be performed for medical reasons refer to the risks involved. C-sections are major surgery which brings risks of infection, excessive bleeding, and painful recovery. C-sections also mean risks in future pregnancies. If the uterus ruptures, although it is rare, the life of the mother and the baby is in serious danger. Babies born by c-sections have more breathing problems right after birth.
Physicians and other health care workers who support elective c-sections say that the surgery can protect a woman’s pelvic organs, reduces the risk to bowel and bladder, and is at least as safe for the baby as vaginal delivery.
In either case, child birth is going to be painful. In vaginal deliveries, the pain of labor lasts hours and you just can’t know when it will end until the baby is actually born. But, recovery is only slightly painful; in many cases it’s just uncomfortable. In the case of c-sections, there is no unlimited time of painful labor but recovering from major surgery can be very painful. Recovery can take up to 6 weeks. If you are considering an elective c-section, you must find a doctor willing to do it and educated yourself to the pros and cons. Only then can you feel confident in your choice.
