Human birth is a real miracle which can be performed in 2 ways – either by normal delivery or a C-section. The best method is chosen by the doctor according to the health of the baby and mother.

In this article we will present the pros and cons of both delivery methods.

facts-about-normal-vs-c-section-delivery-all-women-must-know

Vaginal birth

Pros for the mother

Women that gave birth normally have described their experience as positive from a psychological standpoint. Some women even feel more empowering when going through a vaginal delivery, and the method is better than a C-section due to the shorter recovery time. The normal delivery method also allows the mother and baby to bond immediately after the baby comes out.

Pros for the baby

Babies born through vaginal birth can make contact with their mother immediately and are said to bond better. During vaginal delivery, muscles in the area are more likely to squeeze out the fluid from the baby’s lungs, which means there are less chances for a baby to suffer from respiratory problems. These babies also receive a dose of healthy bacteria through their mother’s birth canal, which can strengthen their immune system and protect their organs.

Cons for the mother

Vaginal delivery is a stressful experience and can take a while – some women give birth in minutes while others can take hours. A vaginal delivery also makes the planning process for the baby difficult as the mother is obsessed with the big day.

Cons for the baby

A baby may get injured during vaginal delivery, but this occurs in rare cases.

C-section

Pros for the mother

There aren’t many advantages to the C-section, but knowing that you must have it leaves a lot of time to prepare for the procedure mentally. The only advantage is the shorter time to give birth.

Cons for the mother

Having a C-section requires staying at the hospital for 2-4 days on average if everything went well. A C-section also increases the risk of physical complaints after the delivery such as pain and soreness. The procedure increases the risk of blood loss and infection as well, and according to studies, women that gave birth with a C-section start breastfeeding later.

The recovery period is long as the area needs time to heal properly. Even the risk of death is increased – women delivering through a C-section are 3 times more likely to die, mainly due to blood clots, infections or complications from the anesthesia.

When a woman delivers her firstborn with a C-section, she might have to deliver her future babies with the same procedure. This complicates further pregnancies, and increases the risk of placenta problems.

Cons for the baby

Some babies have respiratory problems when delivered by C-section, while there’s also the possibility of problems with anesthesia or nicking the baby. These cases are rare, but they exist.

There are many factors which may influence the decision and the choice is ultimately yours. In some cases, a C-section is required and the procedure will be carried out even if vaginal birth is preferred.