Natural birth vs C-section: pros |and cons
A recent article in British newspaper The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on the dramatic rise in births by caesarean sections, which have gone from nine to 24.8 per cent of total births since 1980
Citing the “too posh to push” mentality as one of the reasons why one in four woman is no longer giving birth naturally, the article also makes the point that many mothers-to-be opt for the C-section option because they are misinformed about the benefits of normal delivery.
With other countries reporting similar increases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent out an urgent call, encouraging as many expectant mothers as possible to give birth vaginally and pointing out that this results in milder bleeding, requires a shorter recovery period, helps mothers to start taking care of the baby sooner, and costs less.
A C-Section, it stresses, is for pregnant women who cannot give birth naturally.
Hospitals in Thailand too have seen an increase in C-sections in recent years and while acknowledging that the final decision ultimately lies with the mother, its obstetricians must ensure that the patients know the facts about the two forms of delivery and, unless conditions indicate otherwise, encourage natural birth.
There’s no denying that normal labour is painful but it should also remembered that this lasts only a short time and after the baby is born, there is no more pain.
Normal labour also helps the new mother get started with breastfeeding sooner and better.
In contrast, expectant mothers are given anaesthetics or a spinal block to make a C-section delivery pain-free. However, in the post anaesthetic phase, the mothers tend to experience pain for days.
A C-Section is applied when the baby has a misshapen head, is too big for the mother’s pelvis, is in a breech or transverse positions or the mother has complications, such as pre-eclampsia, heart disease, or a premature rupture of membranes.
Both types of deliveries can cause complications for mothers and babies. Proper and adequate prenatal care is thus vital so that the most appropriate delivery method can be selected.
A few hospitals keep an OB Stat Team consisting of an obstetrician, anaesthetist, a paediatrician specialising in neonatology, and nurses experienced in several fields on standby. This team is able to cope with any emergencies within 20 minutes of the obstetrician deciding that the mother must undergo a C-section delivery.
The spinal block is more widely administered than general anaesthesia as the latter may penetrate into the baby’s lungs causing the baby problems in crying and breathing. Anaesthesia is used only in emergencies or when spinal block is not an option.
Many research projects conducted in Thailand and abroad have confirmed that spinal block does not inflict any long-term back pain on those who receive this application. In fact, any back pain which may be attributed to a spinal block actually occurs because of the mothers’ behaviour, such as position during breastfeeding and carrying or lifting heavy objects in the wrong position.
Soon-to-be mothers are advised to choose a hospital with services, obstetricians and gynaecologists of a high standard. The hospital of choice should also have anaesthetists who are available 24 hrs a day and an experienced OB Stat Team ready and able to cope with emergencies within 20 minutes of being notified. The ideal hospital should also have paediatricians ready to take care of the newborns immediately after delivery as well as a team of paediatricians specialising in various fields for when the newborn needs special care because of any complications.
Dr Pattraporn Pootong is an obstetrician-gynaecologist |specialising in high-risk pregnancies, ultrasound and pre-delivery examination at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. Call (02) 378 9129 or visit the Samitivej page on Facebook.
