Many expectant mothers have misunderstandings about normal births and caesarean sections. From a long-term health perspective, a vaginal birth is good for both the mother and the baby. When the mother and fetus are in good condition, they should try to give birth smoothly, and women and their families should not choose caesarean section just because they are afraid of pain.
First, natural childbirth - smooth delivery
Vaginal delivery is the natural delivery of a fetus vaginally. Based on the health benefits of natural childbirth, the World Health Organization has given the requirement that countries have a rate of 85% of normal births.
1. Advantages of smooth production
(1) Rapid postpartum recovery
Women who have had a normal birth can smoothly discharge lochia, which is conducive to postpartum recovery, and they can get out of bed and walk around on the day of delivery, and most women can be discharged from the hospital in 3 to 5 days, and the medical cost is low. Women can eat quickly after childbirth and can breastfeed newborns.
(2) The trauma is small
The smooth discharge of amniotic fluid and mucus during production is conducive to reducing the appearance of disease, less blood loss, and even if it is torn or laterally cut, the amount of bleeding is lower than that of caesarean section. From a traumatic point of view, vaginal delivery is a natural pathway that does not require an incision of the uterus and does not have scarring.
(3) Beneficial to newborns
For newborns, birth through the birth canal can effectively exercise lung function, massage and stimulate the nerve endings of the skin. The baby's nervous and sensory systems are better developed and the body functions are relatively good.
2. Disadvantages of vaginal delivery
(1) The production process is painful
For women, the biggest disadvantage of vaginal delivery is the need to endure huge prenatal pain, but at present, it is possible to adopt a painless delivery method to effectively reduce labor pain. In addition, the production process may damage the perineal tissue, induce symptoms such as infection or hematoma of the vulva. Bleeding may occur during childbirth due to poor uterine contractions, and if postpartum bleeding cannot be controlled, an urgent switch to caesarean section is required. There may be a rush of labour (labour of less than 2 hours), particularly in the presence of transmissive women and people with lax cervix. The most dangerous thing is the appearance of amniotic fluid embolism without warning.
(2) Postpartum complications
The vagina becomes loose after childbirth, but new mothers can recover through exercise. Women may experience sequelae such as uterine and bladder prolapse. Postpartum conditions may present with puerperal fever or infection, especially in those who break water early and prolong the labour process.
(3) Effect on the fetus
When the fetal dystocia or the maternal energy loss is more serious, vacuum suction or forceps need to be used to assist in production, which will cause the fetal head to be enlarged to a certain extent. If the fetus is overweight, there is a higher risk of shoulder dystocia, which can lead to fractures of the clavicle or damage to the brachial plexus in newborns. The presence of fetal stool in amniotic fluid can induce fetal poop aspiration syndrome in newborns. During vaginal delivery, the fetus may have unexpected situations such as umbilical cord wrapping around the neck, knots, or prolapse.
2. Surgery - caesarean section
Caesarean section is one of the common obstetric surgeries, difficult birth, bone birth canal, soft birth canal abnormalities, fetal position abnormalities, fetal distress, multiple caesarean section history and other situations with caesarean section indications, should choose caesarean section.
1. Advantages of caesarean section
(1) Save the lives of mothers and babies
Caesarean section is indicated when vaginal delivery is difficult to achieve or where vaginal delivery may have an impact on the mother or newborn. For some reasons, the fetus cannot be delivered from the vagina in time and smoothly, and the cesarean section can save the life of the mother and baby. If a caesarean section is chosen, surgery can be performed before the symptoms of severe uterine contractions occur, and the woman does not have to bear great pain.
(2) Concurrent treatment of other diseases
Other diseases in the abdominal cavity, such as ovarian tumors or subserous fibroids, can be managed together during caesarean section. For situations where it is not appropriate to preserve the uterus, such as multiple uterine fibroids, incomplete uterine rupture, serious infection, etc., the uterus can be removed at the same time.
2. Disadvantages of caesarean section
(1) Surgery is dangerous
Some people think that caesarean section does not need to be expanded through the birth canal, it is easier, so they choose this method of production. In fact, for women, caesarean section is more traumatic to the body and mind. Caesarean section is a traumatic procedure that requires anesthesia. Although the probability of accidents in surgical anesthesia is very low, it is not nothing, and surgery has certain dangers, and it is best to choose carefully. During the operation, the mother may have heavy bleeding, may also damage other organs in the abdomen, resulting in serious comorbidities such as urinary and cardiovascular diseases after surgery, and there may also be serious complications such as poor healing of uterine incisions, heavy bleeding, abdominal wall sinus tract, intestinal adhesions or endometriosis after surgery, which seriously threaten the life and health of women.
(2) Long postoperative recovery time
Compared with vaginal delivery, the uterus and general recovery time after caesarean section is longer, and it takes at least one week of hospitalization to be discharged. Women cannot eat or drink immediately after surgery, which affects the secretion of breast milk. When a woman re-conceives and delivers, the risk of the original uterine incision being cracked is greater. After a caesarean section, another pregnancy is best spaced more than two years apart.
(3) Effects on newborns
Newborns who are born by caesarean section may develop respiratory distress syndrome. Because the newborn by caesarean section did not pass the squeeze of the birth canal, did not come into contact with bacteria, and was born directly, its immunity was relatively poor compared to that of a normal baby.
Third, how to choose the mode of delivery
1. Leave it to the doctor to decide
When choosing the mode of delivery, the mother and her family should accept the doctor's advice as much as possible. Before choosing the mode of delivery, the woman should undergo a detailed systemic examination and, if the indicators are normal, a spontaneous delivery. If the woman is unsuitable for a vaginal birth, the doctor will recommend caesarean section.
2. The production process is humanized
At present, many hospitals and medical institutions will help women to carry out humane delivery as much as possible, such as mobilizing maternal enthusiasm as much as possible during the delivery process, providing family-style services, and further improving the level of delivery operations, so that the production process of women is easier and smoother, and then effectively protecting the health of mothers and babies.
3 Reduce human intervention
As a surgical procedure, caesarean section not only has the risk of complications, but also has the potential to affect fetal health, and expectant mothers are advised not to request caesarean section delivery because they are afraid of pain or choose an "auspicious day".
★ Whether it is a vaginal birth or a caesarean section, for doctors, ensuring the safety and health of mothers and babies is the fundamental purpose, and it is necessary to determine the mode of delivery according to the actual situation of the mother. Expectant mothers should fully trust the medical staff, successfully complete the delivery, and experience the joy of motherhood.