Caesareans are easier than vaginal births
Pregnancy and delivery do expose the mother to risk however low risk the pregnancy may be. Both vaginal births and births by caesarean poses its own risks and benefits. While the pain relief, duration taken to deliver and the blood loss are generally a lot less than the vaginal birth, in no way are they easier. Maternal demand LSCS are going up in numbers due to this apparent belief. In women who opt for elective LSCS, I would recommend to talk with the treating OBGyn regarding in labour pain relief strategies and prenatal breathing &physical exercises which would make the journey of vaginal birth easier.
The point that C-sections are done generally in high risk women with factors not advisable to conduct a vaginal birth, make it even more complicated.
With the correct indications, with a well counselled parents, and a well informed team of obstetrician, anesthetist, pediatrician and support staff could make the risks as minimal as possible, whether it be vaginal or caesarean births.
Once a caesarean, always a caesarean
Any pregnancy after a surgery on the uterus is a high risk pregnancy for various reasons. That said, vaginal births after previous caesarean sections are not uncommon nowadays, especially with availability of excellent in-labour monitoring facilities.
Vaginal birth after C-section(VBAC) is a high risk delivery. There are risks of the previous scar giving way (scar dehiscence) or frank rupture of the same. Such a complication can jeopardize the health of both the mother and the fetus, unless the features are identified early and timely emergency delivery by LSCS is done. Successful VBACsare being conducted all over the world in high risk maternity units.
Multiple caesareans are not a concern.
Any surgery has its own issues and risks associated. Multiple surgeries increases the risk of injury to the adjacent organs like urinary bladder, bowel etc. The occurrence of severely adherent placenta in which placenta doesn’t get separated after delivery and causes massive bleeding has increased manyfold in women with multiple uterine surgeries. It also increases the risk of heavier bleeding in the post delivery time, sometimes even leading to multiple blood transfusions and sometimes removal of uterus. Women with previous multiple caesareans should always be attempted in a high risk unit.
C-sections poses long term risks to the mother and child
There is a general misconcept that the spinal anesthesia given for the LSCS or the scar itself can cause lots of long term abdominal and back pain. The long termeffects of an LSCS is negligible and is mostly due to lack of exercise, post operative immobilisation and calcium deficiency.
In case of doubts or further clarification, please reach out to your OBGyn or visit us at Kauvery Hospital, Electronic city, Bangalore.
Disclaimer: These views are not generic in nature. What worked for the writer may not work for you. So avoid following this article blindly. Find out what works for your body.
