Having a baby is a very exciting time for parents to be. It can also be very overwhelming as you have a lot of decisions to make. One of the biggest decisions faced during pregnancy is the method of delivery. Will I have a vaginal birth or a caesarean section? Either way, the goal is the safe delivery of your baby. At the early stages of your pregnancy, Dr Kothari will be able to discuss your individual needs and enable you to make the right choice suitable for your individual pregnancy and lifestyle.
Pros and Cons of a Caesarean Section
A caesarean can be either a planned procedure or carried out in an emergency. A planned caesarean may be necessary if you are expecting a multiple birth, if the baby is in a breech position, or the placenta is low lying. You can also elect to have a caesarean if you are concerned about giving birth naturally.
In some cases, it may be necessary to have an unplanned caesarean procedure. There are a few causes for this, the most common being if the baby is not receiving enough oxygen or the labor is progressing too slowly.
A caesarean section is usually performed with a spinal or epidural anaesthetic. During the caesarean procedure the anaesthetic numbs the lower part of your body so you are awake for the birth, but you will not feel pain. The operation is short and generally takes between 30 – 45 minutes.
When having a planned caesarean section, you can pre plan with Dr Kothari so that you know the day and time that your baby will be born. In most circumstances, a planned caesarean means the baby will be born before you go into labor naturally so you will not experience contractions and labor pain. Another benefit of having a planned caesarean is that there will not be complications that can come with some (not all) vaginal deliveries, such as tearing.
A disadvantage of a caesarean section is that the recovery is longer than a vaginal birth. You may be in the hospital for up to five days rather than around two days with a vaginal delivery, and as you have undergone major surgery, you will feel pain in your abdomen for some time after childbirth.
Caesarean section procedures have been practiced for hundreds of years and are considered safe, but like any surgery, it carries some risk. You are prone to a higher risk of infection compared with a vaginal delivery, which can lead to complications.
Pros and Cons of a Vaginal Birth
A major benefit of having a vaginal birth is a much quicker recovery time as you will only need to stay in hospital for a day or two if the birth is straightforward. With a vaginal birth, there will be no scarring of your abdomen and you are generally more physically able to take care of your baby in the early weeks. Usually, you will not need to take pain relief in the weeks after having your baby.
Vaginal births can take varying lengths of time. Labor times for first time mums vary for each individual and can range from 8 – 18 hours. Although you will be provided with an expected due date, there is no guarantee of the date or time of delivery.
Vaginal birth labor contractions are painful and can be difficult for some women to bear. However, there are a range of pain relief options available to help you manage your pain during labor including non-medical techniques and medical relief options such as nitrous oxide, pethidine/morphine and epidural anaesthesia.
In most cases, vaginal births are not complicated, but there can be unforeseen circumstances that occur with delivery. Sometimes there is a need to have an intervention such as forceps or a vacuum.
A risk associated with vaginal delivery is a perineum tear. A perineum tear can range from a mild tear to more significant tears. Depending upon the severity of the tear, it may be necessary for surgical repair and extended healing times. Women who have vaginal deliveries have higher rates of urinary incontinence than women who have caesarean sections.
There are many considerations to take into account when deciding upon the type of delivery for your baby. To learn more about what delivery options are available and most suitable for your pregnancy, contact Wollongong Obstetrics and Gynaecology to arrange for a consultation with our Obstetrician, Dr Dharmesh Kothari.
No Comments