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Vaginal Birth Vs C-section - Pros and Cons

Written and reviewed by
Dr.Ekta Singh 90% (43ratings)
MBBS, MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Gynaecologist, Noida  •  25years experience
Vaginal Birth Vs C-section - Pros and Cons

When it comes to giving birth, vaginal delivery is considered to be the most natural process. However, several women nowadays opt for C-section or Cesarean section to avoid the labour pain that accompanies natural birth. If you are pregnant and weighing the pros and cons of natural and C-section delivery, here are a few things to consider.

Vaginal Delivery:
The Pros of this method of delivery are as follows:

  1. From the psychological perspective, women who undertake a vaginal delivery have a positive birth giving experience. Women undergoing this method think they should be present in the process. 
  2. The recovery time for women opting for vaginal delivery is shorter. The mother and the baby can make skin contact right after the delivery, which enhances the bonding process.
  3. Babies who are born through vaginal delivery develop much fewer medical complications. There are fewer respiratory problems, allergies and the baby can start breastfeeding soon.

The Cons of vaginal delivery are as follows:

  1. Vaginal delivery is a stressful process for the women undergoing it and the time required cannot be predicted. Some deliveries take less time, while others may take hours.
  2. Usually, there are no cons for the babies who are born via vaginal delivery. In very rare cases, brain injury can be experienced.

Cesarean Section:
The pros of this type of delivery method are as follows:

  1. Many women choose Caesarean sections to avoid long labor hours. Planned C-section surgeries enable the mother to plan the birth. Better control is acquired over the delivery, which can be predicted properly.
  2. In case your baby is large, or if you are carrying twins, C-section is the best delivery option. 
  3. If the mother has diseases such as HIV or the mother's blood has a high viral load, C-section surgeries should be opted as the risk of the infection being passed on to the baby is decreased.

The cons of Cesarean section surgery are as follows:

  1. C-section is a major surgery and a long time is required for recovery. There may be risks of infection, but they can be prevented by caring for the surgical wound properly. C-section delays the breastfeeding process and the mother cannot have immediate contact with her baby, which can affect the bonding.
  2. Some babies, delivered through C-section may have respiratory problems. C-sections may also cause complications, such as problems with anaesthesia.

While both processes have their pros and cons, it is best to discuss with doctor to understand which process will suit you more. Depending on your pregnancy and whether there are any complications involved, your doctor will suggest the best way possible.

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