The difference between cesarean section and vaginal delivery

Women generally have two options for giving birth: natural birth and caesarean section. However, if your conditions are good, you should try to choose natural birth, which is beneficial for both the mother and the child. There is a big difference between caesarean section and natural birth. Caesarean section is an operation that directly opens the uterus and takes the baby out, which is also harmful to the mother. Natural childbirth is the best way for both the child and the mother.

There is sometimes some controversy about whether natural birth or caesarean section is better. Everyone considers things from different perspectives and may come to different conclusions. Analyzing the pros and cons of natural birth and caesarean section will help you choose the appropriate method of delivery.

1. Advantages of natural childbirth:

(1) The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the uterus during labor causes the fetal chest cavity to also contract and relax rhythmically, thereby exercising the fetal lungs and creating favorable conditions for the baby's automatic breathing after birth;

(2) The fetus passes through the mother's birth canal, and the amniotic fluid and mucus absorbed in the uterus can be squeezed out under the squeezing effect, thus reducing neonatal complications;

(3) During vaginal delivery, the fetal head is squeezed by the pelvic floor and becomes congested, providing more benign stimulation to the respiratory center in the brain, making it easier for the newborn to breathe and cry loudly;

(4) Vaginal delivery can expand the birth canal greatly, which is beneficial for the discharge of lochia after delivery and the recovery of the uterus after delivery is faster;

(5) Data analysis shows that children born naturally are smarter.

2. Disadvantages of natural childbirth:

(1) Labor pain before delivery, which is why many mothers choose cesarean section because of fear;

(2) Postpartum sequelae such as vaginal relaxation and uterine bladder prolapse;

(3) Perineal injury or even infection, vulvar hematoma, etc.;

(4) Postpartum bleeding may occur due to poor uterine contraction. If postpartum bleeding cannot be controlled, emergency cesarean section is required. In severe cases, the uterus may need to be removed, which may even be life-threatening.

(5) Amniotic fluid embolism occurs without warning;

(6) Harm to the fetus: When the fetus is in labor or the mother is exhausted and forceps or vacuum extraction is needed to assist delivery, the fetal head may swell. If the fetus is too heavy, it may cause shoulder dystocia, leading to clavicle fracture or brachial plexus injury in the newborn. Meconium is produced in the amniotic fluid, leading to meconium aspiration syndrome. The fetus has an accident in the uterus, such as the umbilical cord around the neck, tangling or prolapse.

3. Advantages of Caesarean Section:

(1) It can avoid unexpected situations in the natural production process;

(2) Surgery can relieve the pain of labor contractions;

(3) When the fetus or mother has an abnormality and cannot be delivered vaginally, surgery can save the lives of the mother and the baby;

(4) If there are other diseases in the abdominal cavity, they can be removed through surgery;

(5) The vagina is less susceptible to damage.

4. Disadvantages of Caesarean Section:

(1) Caesarean section is a major surgery and causes more accidental maternal deaths than normal vaginal delivery;

(2) The average blood loss from caesarean section is over 300 ml, much more than the blood loss from vaginal delivery (100-300 ml);

(3) Caesarean section may cause wound infection, amniotic fluid embolism, surgical accidents, uterine injury and resection, etc.;

(4) Anesthesia accidents during surgery and other unforeseen accidents;

(5) The mother recovers slowly after surgery and is prone to symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain caused by adhesions of tissues in the pelvic cavity;

(6) Caesarean section will leave scars on the uterus, which will bring many risks to future childbirth or artificial abortion;

(7) Studies have shown that babies born by caesarean section have poorer physiological adaptability than babies born naturally.