The vaginal birth vs. C-section debate has been going on for as long as I can remember. This is especially true since the inception and rising demand of elective Cesareans (too posh to push?). That said, there are several reasons mommies-to-be choose to go under the knife, and being “too posh” is not typically one of them. In fact, most women take the Cesarean route for serious health reasons and/or for the safety of their baby or themselves.
Nonetheless, women on both sides tend to criticize others for choosing the contrary. Women with vaginal birth believe mothers opting for a C-section have taken the “easy way out.” However, women with a severe C-section infection would think otherwise.
To give you more perspective and valuable information, in this blog post, I will be sharing some leading pros and cons of each option, as knowing both sides can help you make an informed decision.
Vaginal Birth
The Good
- Faster recovery time
- Lower infection risk
- Natural exit way
- Vaginally birthed babies are less prone to develop a temporary lung condition known as Transient Tachypnea of the Neonate (TTN).
- You won’t get kicked in the surgical incision when holding the baby.
- Vaginally birthed babies are less prone to develop asthma and food allergies as they’re exposed to beneficial bacteria in the birth canal.
- You can have as many precious little babies as you want
The Bad
- Labor and delivery will be the worst pain of your life!
- Possible vaginal tearing and episiotomy
- Less predictable
- High likelihood of urinary incontinence that can last up to 3 months after childbirth.
C-section
The Good
- It’s painless (at least the birthing)
- Your vaginal opening stays intact as no tearing
- Lighter post-partum bleeding as it is vacuumed out of you during the surgery
- You won’t poop while pushing the baby out
- You won’t have to worry about peeing/pooping first time after childbirth
The Bad
- Recovery time is considerably longer.
- Greater risk of developing an infection
- Higher risk of developing blood clots
- The uterus can be put under the knife only a limited number of times. According to some experts, if you want more than two children with C-section, you might be pushing your luck.
- Future pregnancies can risk complications.
- You’ll have to take medications.
- You’ll have a tiny scar (though that usually doesn’t matter).
Which Road to Take?
Frankly, it depends entirely on you and your health condition. Nonetheless, whichever route you opt for, you’ll hear both the good and the horrors on both sides. But hey, childbirth is like snowflakes and fingerprints – no two are alike. Ultimately, what truly matters is that you and your little bundle of joy are healthy and safe. So, respect what others might say, but do what works best for you and the baby!
Feel free to share your birthing stories in the comments below. We’d love to hear about them!
‘Till next time, adios amigos!
