After all the morning sickness, mood swings, food cravings, heavy belly, and loads of medicines finally arrives the time to deliver the little one inside you. On completing nine months of the roller coaster ride you finally decide if you wish to have a vaginal birth or a C-section, or better to say your doctor decides based on your medical condition. The two delivery methods are the two sides of the coin which carry their own pros and cons. Entering the last month of your pregnancy you must discuss labor options with your doctor. You will hear all kinds of information from the people around you and undoubtedly you also must have stockpiled way too much information over which delivery option to take. The best option will be to feel comfortable with the decision you take for yourself.
C-Section Delivery
As the stats say, one-third of the deliveries are C-section today. While some are planned or elective, others are done after labor or emergency. It is the surgical method of getting your baby out. After making you unconscious, the doctor will make a horizontal incision just above your pubic hairline. Once the uterus is exposed, there will be the second incision in the lower half of the uterus and hence the baby will be pulled out. Following this, the surgeon will stitch the uterus up and it’s done. It doesn’t hurt because you be given anesthesia and moreover, the mother will be numb down there but awake and aware. The mother will feel slight pressure during the procedure but not necessarily.
Vagina Or Normal Delivery
The traditional method that’s been followed since the times of Adam and Eve, is the Vaginal birth. As the water breaks, uterus muscles start to contract in order to push the baby outside. During labor, the mother’s cervix dilates opening enough to accommodate the baby’s head and shoulders. The contractions surely hurt the mother but if the baby is turned upside down, that hurts the lower back the most. It also means pushing harder and for a longer duration.
Recovery time of the two
After delivering the baby, a mother’s body needs time to get back to its normal being. A normal delivery mother recovers faster than the C-section one. Normal delivery means you are up and about the next day of the delivery. But in the case of C-section, a mother’s body takes time to recover from the surgery. Also, there is a long duration of pain at the incision site in the surgery. Stitches take time to dissolve in this case and there might be difficulty in sitting and walking in the initial days. Postpartum complication also includes vaginal bleeding, cramping, soreness, swelling and more. It can be a tough task handling your newborn and parallel recovering from the surgery.
The Complication in Vaginal Delivery
A very Common complication of normal delivery is tearing of the vaginal skin while passing the baby’s head through it. It is called an episiotomy. Sometimes an episiotomy is made with a scalpel to widen the vaginal opening and avoid significant tearing. It makes easy for the baby to come out. It’s an old school method and almost everyone gets one. With a couple of stitches and some time, episiotomy cut heals well.
Pros of C-Section
- Convenient and can be scheduled well in advance.
- Lesser or no danger to the mother or the baby. They are safer than normal delivery.
C-section Or Vaginal DeliveryCons of C-Section
- Long hospital stay
- Pain at the incision site
- Weakens abdominal muscles
- Increased blood loss or blood clots
- Longer recovery
- Increased risk of stillbirths
Pros of Vaginal Delivery
- Short hospital stay
- Quick recovery
- Immediate contact between mother and baby
- Quicker initiation of breastfeeding
Cons of Vaginal Delivery
- Effortful delivery. Might take some time
- Vaginal stretching or tearing
- A complication of bowel or urinary incontinence
Precisely, there cannot be any comparison between the two because of barring complications, neither is better. There are pros and cons attached to both the procedures but clearly, C-section carries more inherent risks than normal delivery. Whether your baby will be a Vaginal born or surgical, it all depends on the complication equation.
Also Read; Vaginal Birth Vs C-Section
