A Cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby by making an abdominal and uterine incision.

Typically, doctors recommend a Cesarean birth when a vaginal birth is deemed unsafe or impossible for the mum and/or baby.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the maximum ideal rate for Cesarean deliveries is 15%. But most countries, including the UK, exceed this limit.

As of 2023, 31% of women in the UK deliver their babies via C-section.

In the US, about 32% of all deliveries are by C-section in 2022.

But why are more doctors performing Cesarean sections lately?

Advantages of C-Section

A Cesarean birth can save the life of a mother and her baby.

Medical Safety

A C-section is often safer for pregnancies involving complications, such as placenta previa, breech position, multiple births, or certain maternal health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

When a pregnant woman is experiencing prolonged labour, where the cervix dilates and stops or doesn’t thin, or the baby stops moving down the birth canal, an emergency C-section is performed to ensure the safety of both the mum and baby.

Reduced Risk of Certain Complications

A pregnant woman with a low pain threshold or high anxiety about childbirth can avoid the intense pain associated with labour and delivery by opting for a Cesarean delivery.

The surgical procedure is said to prevent birth trauma to the baby, such as injuries from birth assisted by forceps or vacuum extraction. It can also minimise the risk of oxygen deprivation during a difficult vaginal birth.

A Cesarean delivery can prevent pelvic floor damage, which can cause long-term bladder and bowel control problems, and vaginal injuries like episiotomies and tears, that may result from a vaginal birth.

Women with certain medical conditions or previous complicated vaginal deliveries can benefit from a C-section, which can help them avoid the risks associated with labour and vaginal birth.

Convenience and Control

Mums can schedule their delivery or due date with Cesarean deliveries. This allows for more control and predictability for the parents, reducing anxiety and making planning for the baby’s arrival easier.

A C-section is typically quicker than vaginal birth, especially when there’s prolonged labour. The delivery takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Together with the abdominal incision and stitching up, the procedure lasts for up to an hour.

However, a Cesarean delivery does not come without possible complications.

Disadvantages of C-Section

Risks for Mums

Women are at risk of developing an infection in the urinary tract, uterus lining, or uterine incision after a C-section.

A postpartum surgical site infection (SSI), which is usually caused by bacteria entering the wound, has an incidence of 3% to 15%.

During and after a Cesarean delivery, women may experience excessive bleeding. This may result in haemorrhage, requiring blood transfusion for women.

A higher risk of developing blood clots, specifically deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is associated with a Cesarean delivery. A blood clot travelling to the lungs can threaten a woman's life.

Surgical complications, albeit rare, are also possible, particularly damaging the bladder, intestines, or other organs. Women may also have adverse reactions to the anaesthesia administered during surgery.

In some cases, women may experience chronic pelvic pain after a Cesarean delivery.

With a Cesarean delivery, women have a longer full recovery period, which can last for up to six weeks.

There's also a higher chance of suffering from complicated future pregnancies compared to a vaginal delivery. Placental issues, such as placenta previa, or uterine rupture in the future are possible.

Each subsequent Cesarean delivery increases the risk of complications, and many medical experts suggest that risks become even more pronounced after the third Cesarean delivery.

On that note, some recommend limiting the number of C-sections a woman can have to three. This limits the number of kids a woman can have, which can be a problem for couples who want to have more children.

“As a physician, it’s difficult to put a limit on the number of children a couple is seeking, but the evidence does show that the risk begins to increase even faster after the third C-section,” explained Hector Chapa, MD, FACOG, a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M School of Medicine.

All these risks, along with the toll Cesarean delivery takes on the body, could lead to postpartum depression and affect women's emotional well-being.

Risks for Babies

The mother isn't the only one at risk in a Cesarean delivery.

The baby is at risk of being accidentally cut during the surgery.

There's also an increased risk of babies having breathing problems if birthed via C-section, especially if they’re delivered before labour starts.

A vaginal birth helps squeeze fluid out of the baby’s lungs, which is impossible in a Cesarean delivery, resulting in breathing difficulties and leading to problems like transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

There’s evidence that babies born via C-section are more likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for observation and treatment of respiratory issues and other concerns.

Developmental concerns are also associated with C-sections. Babies born through this procedure may experience delays in initiating breastfeeding, affecting early maternal bonding and nutrition.

If delivered via C-section, babies miss out on exposure to beneficial bacteria present in the birth canal, which can influence their gut microbiota and immune system development.

In the long term, children born via Cesarean are likely to develop asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.

The Bottomline

Choosing the best birth plan is a deeply personal decision that should be made with careful consideration of both the benefits and risks associated with each method.

While a Cesarean birth can offer life-saving advantages in certain medical situations and provide a controlled and predictable delivery experience, it also comes with significant risks for both the mother and baby.

Understanding all factors involved and discussing them with trusted healthcare providers can help expectant mums make informed choices that best suit their individual health needs and birth preferences.

What are your thoughts on C-section and vaginal births? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Read here to discover why we opted for Vaginal Birth After a Previous C-Section (VBAC) to deliver our second child.

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