Pregnancy Delivery: Normal vs. Cesarean

Pregnancy is full of personal choices. From the time you conceive, you go through a lot of worrying and questioning. Even the thought of giving birth is unmistakably scary, a major concern to be considered by many.

Learn about the benefits and the risks of normal birth versus having a C-section delivery, so you can make an informed decision about your labour and birth plan.

PROS AND CONS

PAIN

Normal Delivery

• Pros: The labour pain actually guides the mom subconsciously to move in ways that facilitate the birthing process. For example, back pain may be an indication that the child is in a posterior position. By moving, the woman may facilitate the baby’s rotation in the birth channel.
• Cons: You accept the pain and discomfort as part of giving birth. It’s a long process that’s physically and emotionally gruelling. There’s no easy task for the mom, hence the name "labour"!

Caesarean Delivery

• Pros: Anaesthesia lessens childbirth pain. It can also lessen abdominal pain and pain from bruising and stitches in the perineum.
• Cons: You lose any sensation or alertness during the birth that can help the whole process along and get the birth over quickly.

RISK

Normal Delivery

• Pros: You get to avoid a major surgery and potential risks like scarring, severe bleeding, reactions to anaesthesia, and infections.
• Cons: Your tissues and skin might tear because there is a possibility that the vagina will stretch as the baby moves through the birth canal.

Caesarean Delivery

• Pros: It can be more convenient for a mom and reduce her stress about anticipation of labour. A C-section better equips you to deal with complications during pregnancy such as inverted foetus, macrosomia, placenta blocking the cervix, and conditions which might cause complications during labour.
• Cons: Risk of complications from anaesthesia (pneumonia, allergic reactions, low blood pressure).

RECUPERATION

Normal Delivery

• Pros: Quicker recovery time. You can move around freely, which may both reduce pain and accelerate healing time. The average length of a hospital stay is between 24-48 hours. Pretty quick, huh? Sometimes, if you’re feeling well enough, the doctor may even let you leave sooner than expected.
• Cons: You may experience bleeding and vaginal discharge (lochia) that may last from 2-4 weeks and can come and go for about 2 months. Vaginal soreness, includes pain, discomfort, and numbness. Soreness may be worse if you have a perineal tear or episiotomy.

Caesarean Delivery

• Pros: Although you may have bleeding and vaginal discharge, you won't have the contractions, or feel the pain between your vagina and back passage (perineum). For some time afterwards you will have a very sore wound and tummy, but this can be managed effectively with pain medication.
• Cons: Longer hospital stay (3-5 days) and longer recovery period. You will need bed rest for some time (up to several months), which may impede the care of new-borns.

There are several significant factors that may affect your choice of birth plans. It is important that you visit your doctor for guidance and discuss your current prenatal state, the option you have in mind, the reservations you may have for each method, and most especially, what’s more suitable and safer for you and your baby.

In that way, you and your doctor can assess an absolute risk and benefit analysis while creating your birthing plan.