pro's and con's of c-section?

Question

What are the pro's and con's of having a c-sections verses a vaginal birth?

Answer 1

I had a natural VB, and I was on my feet in one day, and felt like myself in one week. My son's head was perfectly shaped (no cone) because I pushed him out in 15 minutes.

I feel so proud of having a NVB, it is something that made me realize my strength, and God's beauty. Best wishes to you and your baby.

Answer 2

I can't really think of any pros with a c-section--the only pro is that it is a useful procedure in an emergency situation. It is a major surgery, you are left with a huge scar, and the healing process is multiplied big time. I've had two vaginal births, one with pain meds and one without. I healed from my first birth within two weeks--I was up and walking around the day I gave birth in fact. I just gave birth on Monday, and I am perfectly fine--I tore minimally and came home late last night (I requested to be left out early). I only have minor aches and pains--nothing that ibuprofen can't help :) Even though a vaginal birth can hurt at the time, the pain disappears almost immediately and the healing time is significantly less then being cut open without medical necessity. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I've had both - the first was an emergency c-section and the second was a vaginal birth with ventouse (suction) assistance and an episiotomy. Your body recovers faster from a vaginal birth in so many ways. You also can't pick up anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks after a c-section, most insurance companies won't cover your driving for 6 weeks as a c-section is considered major abdominal surgery, you're more at risk of an infection or other complications after surgery. Also, you're tireder after surgery and if it's birth surgery it takes a long time to recover - more than the usual tiredness post-birth. And believe me, you're tired after having a baby and you don't catch up on your sleep for years.

Answer 4

The pros of having a c-section vs. vagnial

Ease of delivery
Less painful- a little discomfort

Cons-

Major Abdominal Surgery
Longer recovery time
More painful following delivery
Long hospital stay 3-5days

Vaginal Birth Pros-

You see the baby immed.
Less pain following birth- a little discomfort
Short hospital stay (1-2 days)


Cons-

A much more painful delivery

Answer 5

Pro's-No pain of labor, no vaginal tearing. If it is planned then you will know the date and be prepared more

Cons: Longer painful healing time. In recovery hours before you can be with the baby, chances are you will have to have C section again. Stomach muscles become loose and may not go back completly, scar from the surgery, Its a major surgery, reactions from surgery, Guilt from not having a VB (Some women go through that)

Risk of infection with C section

Answer 6

A new study shows that mothers who deliver by C-section are three times more likely to die during or just after childbirth than mothers who deliver naturally. And that's AFTER correcting for life-threatening conditions that might have necessitated the C-sections in the first place. If that wasn't enough, C-section babies are also more likely to die or have a host of medical problems.

It's major surgery. It's hard to recover. (It can take up to a year!) It can make breastfeeding tough.

I've had two C-sections. The first one was an emergency. I wanted to do a VBAC the second time, but I developed complications again and had to have a second C-section.

Answer 7

If you are having a problem delivering, a C-section could save you or your baby's life. That is the Pro, and its the only one you need if there is a problem with the delivery.

If you are capable of a normal birth, a c-section is an unneccassary abdominal surgury and disruption of the natural flow of mothering your child. There are other cons for you and the baby physically, but again, how many do you need?

Answer 8

A c-section is MAJOR abdonimal surgery. C-section has a very long recovery period... and a permanent 6 inch scar. It is really hard to do anything after the surgery... opening doors, lifting your baby, sitting up, lying down. You really need to have someone with you to help 24/7, at least for the first few weeks.
The chance of infection is far greater with a c-section.

Babies are meant to come out vaginally... the tissue in that area is meant to stretch and return to normal after. Much quicker recovery.

Answer 9

I've never had a vag birth, I was in labor for 22 hrs and they finally did a c-seciton. So I can only tell you about that. PRos 1. you don't have to push that baby out!! 2. You only have to wait 2 weeks to have sex. (I'm due in 2 weeks and my husband is due back from iraq in 3 so this is really important to us! lol) 3. You don't have to worry about vag tearing. 4. If its scheduled you can pick the birthday! Now Cons 1. It hurts like hell!!!!! It takes alot longer to recover. 2. You can't lift anything heavier than your baby, not even the baby in the carrier. 3. My hospital wouldn't let me be alone with the baby. my husband had to be there or he had to be in the nursery. They said I wouldn't beable to get to him quick enough if something happened. I think that is prety much it. The scar fades. My son is 2 and if I wasn't 9 mo pregnant and it wasn't stretched out you wouldn't know that it was there. Oh and it still hurts sometimes. like when the weather changes and stuff like that.

Answer 10

Pros no contractions & labor pain
Cons longer recovery time, longer hospital stay, need more help at home, most require repeat csections after 1, scar, longer time to get back to pre pregnancy size, more risk when you are under sedation