Preggy mommies, how excited are you for your due babies? Have you decided on whether you will push through a normal birth or a cesarean one as the best delivery?
Some pregnant mothers were advised to undergo cesarean section (c-section) delivery. Most of the time, it is not the sole decision of the pregnant woman on which preference they would undergo. It is because of different situations in which it would also save lives.
On the other hand, natural bearers still choose to be natural, that c-section is costly, and pregnant women are more vulnerable to cesarean.
In our discussion, mommies can expect different aspects of understanding this debate between undergoing natural birth or cesarean section delivery.
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Talaan ng Nilalaman
Which is more painful, normal delivery or cesarean?
Pain, in a sense of physiological and pathological aspect, carries out information that something inside your body may be damaged or has gone wrong.
In the reality of giving birth, most likely in a normal delivery, pain is needed to bear life. It is normal.
Your cervix is closed so it needs to be open. For the cervix to open, the uterus must be contracted, so that your baby from the uterus can pass through until it comes out of the vagina.
The progression of labor in natural birth, the contraction also progresses. That being said, your pain will become more intense. Pain in labor is a necessary part of giving birth to your baby. It helps the baby to pass through smoothly to the pelvis.
On the contrary, cesarean section (c-section) is less painful. The operation to be performed requires an anesthetic process before the procedure of delivery. Basically, it is a surgical procedure.
However, without anesthesia or pain relief, experts agreed that a c-section is more painful than natural birth. Historically, the first c-section procedure was done for women who died during childbirth.
Basically, on the comparison of two procedures of delivery, it is meant that c-section delivery is in full anesthesia versus the normal delivery without any sort of pain killers. With that, normal childbirth is more painful.
Disadvantages of normal birth and cesarean
Before we focus on the disadvantages of each delivery method, let us know first their background. This will let us contemplate and give judgment on each delivery’s disadvantages.
1. What is the procedure for each delivery type?
Normal delivery
Natural birth or vaginal delivery can happen in the hospital or birth clinic.
After that, you will go through the three phases of labor.
- Early (first) – this is where your labor begins, mommies. The neck of your cervix opens to 10 cm which is dilated
- Active (2nd) – This is when your baby comes down through your vagina and is born
- Transitional (3rd) – when your placenta (afterbirth) is now delivered
Periodical checkups with your doctor will follow and he will determine what stage you are in. This procedure includes measuring your cervix.
When reaching the measurement of 10 cm, you are dilated, and it is the right time for you to push. Your nurses will help you push until the baby is pushed to the birth canal.
When the baby “crowns” and is delivered, you will still have minor contractions while preparing the placenta to be delivered.
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READ MORE:
Expert Speak: Having a normal delivery post a cesarean is highly risky
Cesarean Birth
A cesarean birth differs from normal delivery. Generally, c-section delivery is a surgical procedure with a span of a quarter of an hour, compared to a normal delivery which will take hours for you, mommy.
In this delivery type, your doctor will make an incision in your abdomen through your womb. This should be done so the doctor can remove your baby.
When your baby comes out, the doctor will cut your umbilical cord. He will also clean and remove the placenta from your baby. Then he will sew the incision in your abdomen and womb.
After your delivery, you cannot hold your baby yet mommy. The nurses will check and clear your baby’s airway first. Compared to vaginal delivery, you can be united with your baby a little bit later.
2. Recovery and healing span
Mommies, after giving birth, the default “recovery period” will be during the first 6 weeks, as per doctors. Your body needs to rest, heal, and recover physically, and also from the stress of delivery.
In a normal delivery, your healing and delivery depend on the situated birth-giving. If you underwent additional medical procedures during delivery, you would take the full 6 weeks of recovery.
Meanwhile, as Healthline accounts for the study of ACOG, in c-section delivery, your healing would take a span similar to any surgery. You should stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days after the procedure.
During the first few weeks of healing, your scars will feel itchy and painful. This signifies the healing process.
You will then experience mild cramps, bleeding, or discharge during weeks 4 to 6 of your recovery. After your 6th week of healing, visit your doctor for the assessment of your recovery condition.
But which recovery happens faster? In general, vaginal delivery recovery is faster than c-section delivery.
But based on more particular studies, some mothers recover slower in a vaginal delivery. This is because of the additional procedures performed during the vaginal delivery.
Mommies, it is important to realize that women have different bodies, meaning, you will have different experiences of delivery, healing, and recovery.
Sometimes, a surgical delivery like a c-section heals faster than a normal delivery, but not always.
3. Delivery’s risks and complications
Both the normal birth delivery and c-section delivery come with complications and health risks. Mommies, it is always recommended to heed your doctor’s advice.
Mothers who deliver normally can experience perineal tears or a need for an episiotomy that requires stitches. It would also require more weeks of healing time.
While the c-section delivery is not different from other surgeries, this will too, has many risks and complications. Problems can result in blood loss, infections, blood clots, injury to the bowel or bladder, and certain reactions to medications prescribed.
Pros and cons: The final showdown between the two
Mommies, better to take note of this part. But always remember to be ready when your doctor advises you to undergo one of these deliveries.
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Lower risks of infections
Comparing the vaginal and c-section delivery, a c-section would or may let you acquire more risks of infection than vaginal delivery. That would leave you in a vulnerable state.
Also, even if many mothers are open to both options, experts commend natural birth more than cesarean. Find out here.
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A better connection between mommy and baby
Dr. Robbie-Davis Floyd, an expert on midwifery and childbirth, affirmed that c-section delivery is harmful to baby-mother contact, affecting the proceeding process of bonding and breastfeeding.
A natural or normal delivery lets your mommies hold your baby immediately. This can affect a better connection between you and your baby.
When you hold your baby after a normal delivery, the mother’s bacteria “colonize” the baby. This bacteria is needed while the baby is living and growing up with the mother.
A baby born in a cesarean delivery may contact the bacteria of the nurses or of the doctors. This bacteria will colonize the baby, making it hard for the baby to be less used to your own bacteria.
This will result in more chronic sicknesses and infections that may endanger your baby’s health.
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Hormonal balance
Mommies, did you also know that a huge rush of oxytocin will happen because of the post-birth recovery and healing?
Oxytocins help a mother’s body heal faster. But that’s not only the use of this hormone. Commonly known as the “love hormone”, it is released during your final push, letting you be in love with your baby. This will result in a better bond with your baby.
Also, this hormone helps in breast milk flow and production, making breastfeeding easier. This opportunity is always missed out on by cesarean-born babies.
After we have set the showdown between normal delivery and cesarean delivery, you may now choose the best for you, mommy. Remember that you can always consult and seek advice from your doctor also.
After the lesser pain round, the more disadvantageous round, and now in the last round of pros and cons, you know what wins this battle of choices.
Choose the option that will help you and your baby live a healthier and happier life.
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