The difference between vaginal delivery and cesarean section

Having a child is a very happy thing in life. With the development of modern medicine, people can choose the way they give birth. For example, choosing a natural birth or a caesarean section. As the name suggests, natural childbirth means that the pregnant woman gives birth naturally, while cesarean section is a surgical method to remove the fetus and achieve childbirth. Both delivery methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Natural delivery may require the mother to endure greater labor pain, but as long as the delivery is successful, it generally will not cause any impact on the body. After a caesarean section, there is an anesthesia period and a wound recovery period. In addition, the caesarean section process may also cause some adverse effects on the fetus.

Babies born by caesarean section are more likely to develop pneumonia

Some scholars have found that there is no significant difference in the overall incidence of pathological jaundice, omphalitis, impetigo, vomiting and other diseases in infants delivered by caesarean section and vaginal delivery. However, the probability of pneumonia in infants born by cesarean section is higher, suggesting that cesarean section may increase the incidence of neonatal pneumonia. The main reason is that during birth, the rhythmic contraction compresses and expands the baby's chest, which is beneficial to their lung activity and gas exchange after birth, and helps prevent neonatal aspiration pneumonia. Secondly, because the fetus is squeezed in the birth canal during delivery, the fluid in the alveoli, bronchi and trachea can flow out from the mouth and nose after birth, effectively preventing the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia.

The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases in infants born by cesarean section is slightly higher

Relevant domestic studies have shown that the incidence of diarrhea in infants born by cesarean section is 1.25 times that of infants born by natural delivery, which may be related to the low rate and improper delivery after cesarean section. Improper addition of complementary foods to babies can cause digestive dysfunction and even diarrhea. Foreign studies have confirmed that for babies who are breastfed, the average level of bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus and other flora in their intestines is higher in babies born through natural delivery than in babies born by caesarean section. This difference is a long-term process and is not limited to infancy.

The immunity of babies born by caesarean section is relatively low

In recent years, it has been reported that the levels of immune factors (IgG, IgA, IgM) in babies born by caesarean section are significantly lower than those in babies born vaginally. Therefore, newborns delivered by caesarean section have lower resistance to infection than newborns delivered naturally, have a greater chance of infection, and are more susceptible to infectious diseases.

The impact of two delivery methods on the baby's physical development

There is no significant difference in physical development between babies born by caesarean section and those born by vaginal delivery

The physical growth and development of a baby after birth is first affected by genetic factors. Adequate and reasonable nutritional intake, good environmental and sanitary conditions, meticulous care, and physical exercise can all promote the baby's postnatal growth and development. Domestic and foreign research data show that there is no significant difference in physical development between babies born by cesarean section and those born naturally. Cesarean section may indirectly affect the baby's physical growth and development in terms of low breastfeeding success rate and infant susceptibility to infectious diseases.

A US study claims that babies born by caesarean section are twice as likely to be overweight at the age of three as those born vaginally. After excluding family genetics and daily factors that may cause children to be overweight, the researchers still found that the rate of cesarean section and overweight was positively correlated. It is speculated that this may be related to the differences in intestinal flora of neonates mentioned above. These children have certain differences in absorbing nutrients from food, which ultimately leads to overweight.

The effects of two delivery methods on the baby's intellectual development and motor ability

There is no significant difference in intelligence between babies born by caesarean section and those born naturally

Although current research has not found any differences in intelligence between babies born by cesarean section and those born naturally, cesarean section can increase the risk of neonatal hypoxia and asphyxia, causing brain damage, thereby affecting the baby's brain function. Pregnant women are prone to a drop in blood pressure during anesthesia during cesarean section. When the blood pressure drops by more than 1/3 of the baseline value, the uterine placental blood flow may decrease, leading to fetal hypoxia and acidosis. Furthermore, babies born by cesarean section have more respiratory complications, which may cause hypoxia and suffocation in severe cases.