Why do doctors make a woman deliver a dead baby vaginally instead by caesarean?

Question

I have heard that this is the way the do it. I recently had a dear friend lose her baby. The baby had stopped kicking and she went to the doctor and they did a sonogram and the baby had died. I would think that it would be better for the mom to have a c-section instead of having to induce labor a deliver her dead baby. What an emotional rollercoaster. Is it because the hospital doesn't want to deal with the expense? I'm very curious.

Answer 1

First let me say I am so sorry to hear about your friend. How heart breaking.

Personally I would rather deliver vaginally. It would be easier on my body, there are less risks for side-effects and I would have a quicker physical recovery.

Neither option would be emotionally "easier" than the other in my opinion.

Answer 2

Generally they won't do a c-section unless the mother or child's health is at risk by doing it vaginally. A c section is more physically tramatic and bigger chance of infection. Imagine if the baby had died of an infection and the amniotic fluid with that bacteria in it was to get into the mother's abdominal cavity?? It could then kill her. Since they don't know for sure at that point it's safer for the mother to do a vaginal delivery.
It's heartbreaking to go through all that pain knowing you won't hear your baby cry, but it's better for her health.

Answer 3

It's safer for the mother to deliver vaginally rather than by c-section & she will heal faster after the birth. It is very traumatic but she will physically get better sooner that way. I'm sorry for your friend. It's an awful thing to go through.

Answer 4

its safer to do it vaginally. why put the mom through more pain and do an unneeded surgery

Answer 5

its always better to deliver naturally. no matter what