Normal Vs Caesarean Birth: These are the Benefits and Risks

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Normal delivery vs caesarean is often a very difficult thing considered by pregnant women. Basically,giving birth vaginally or by cesarean is equally good, depending on the condition of the mother and baby. Both methods have benefitand their respective risks.

There are women who choose to give birth naturally for more natural reasons and can feel like a "real mother". There are also women who choose to give birth by caesarean section because they do not want to feel the pain of childbirth or to maintain the shape of the intimate organs after giving birth.

Both normal delivery and caesarean delivery have the same main goal, which is to make delivery go smoothly and ensure that both mother and baby are safe. If you are considering which method of delivery you want to do, first understand all the advantages and disadvantages of the two delivery methods.

Advantages and Risks of Normal Childbirth

Normal delivery is a natural way of delivering a baby through the vagina without surgery. This method is considered the safest and most recommended way for a healthy pregnancy condition.

There are several advantages of normal childbirth, including:

  • The process of recovery and hospitalization in the hospital is faster.
  • The risk of developing health problems in babies is less.
  • Speed ​​up the process bonding between mother and baby.
  • If you give birth again at a later date, the normal delivery process can be faster and shorter.
  • Can do early initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) or give breast milk to the baby immediately after delivery.

While the risks of having a normal delivery are:

  • The occurrence of unexpected complications during delivery, such as heavy bleeding.
  • The vagina should be sutured if it is torn or clipped (episiotomy).
  • If the baby is too large, there may be a need for delivery assistance, such as a vacuum or forceps.
  • Fatigue due to a long and difficult labor process.

If the condition of the mother and baby are in good health and have no complicating factors, then the normal delivery method is the most recommended.

Advantages and Risks of Caesarean Delivery

Caesarean section is performed by making a transverse incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. There are several advantages of giving birth by caesarean section, including:

  • You can choose your own time of delivery (elective caesarean section).
  • Lowers the risk of birth injuries, such as shoulder dystocia (the fetus's shoulder gets stuck and can't be delivered) or the fetus has a fracture.
  • Reduces the risk of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
  • It is more recommended for pregnant women who have complications or pregnancy complications.

Although it has advantages, the caesarean delivery method also has disadvantages or risks, namely:

  • The process of recovery and hospitalization is longer than normal delivery.
  • Surgical wounds cause scars and pain. The recovery process is quite long, it can take weeks or even months.
  • Restricted activity for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
  • The occurrence of complications due to anesthesia, such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, severe headaches, to nerve damage.
  • The occurrence of complications due to surgery, such as blockage of blood vessels, infection, bleeding, to adhesions (growth of scar tissue that makes the organs in the stomach stick to each other).
  • The possibility of going back to cesarean section in the next delivery process.
  • Placenta previa in later pregnancies.

Usually this operation is taken because normal delivery risks endangering the safety of the mother and baby. The following are some of the things that often cause the need for a caesarean section:

  • The mother has a medical condition that prevents her from giving birth normally, such as diabetes, preeclampsia, herpes in the birth canal, HIV, heart disease, or placenta previa.
  • Mother will give birth to twins.
  • The size of the baby is quite large or is in a breech position.
  • Mother has a narrow pelvis.
  • The process of opening the birth canal is slow.
  • Have had a cesarean section before.

Apart from the advantages and disadvantages of normal vs. caesarean delivery, the decision to take a normal delivery method or caesarean section will ultimately be adjusted to the results of consultations and examinations by an obstetrician or midwife.

The doctor or midwife will carry out a pregnancy examination and monitor the condition of the mother and fetus until they are at term, then determine the best delivery step.