What are the Pros and Cons of a C-Section Delivery?

The pros of a c-section delivery typically include avoiding much of the pain associated with labor and delivery, less chance of a long and drawn out labor, and most likely not having to endure vaginal tearing during birth. There are also some cons associated with c-sections, which include longer post-delivery recovery time, a permanent scar across the abdomen from the surgical incision, and the likelihood that a repeat c-section delivery will be necessary for any future pregnancies to avoid the possibility of uterine rupture, which increases after a c-section. The decision as to whether a woman should have a c-section is usually made by her doctor and is often advisable under circumstances where having a baby vaginally would be life-threatening for either the mother or her child.

Most women who have babies by way of c-section delivery are given anesthetic drugs to either put them out completely or to numb them from the waist down so that they will not feel any pain while the abdominal incision is made and the baby is being removed. These drugs typically make it easy for most women to enjoy the births of their children without being distracted by the pain and discomfort that typically go along with vaginal labor and delivery. Women who have c-sections are also usually able to avoid a long labor because the procedure is often done fairly quickly after a woman is admitted to a birthing room. Some women who have vaginal deliveries end up with vaginal tearing or vaginal incisions, which can be painful and may take a long time to completely heal from, and this is normally avoided with a c-section delivery.

In spite of the many advantages of a c-section delivery, the recovery time from a c-section is usually much longer than recovery from a vaginal birth. Even though the stitches on the outside of the abdomen are typically removed within four to five days after delivery, it takes the stitches that were placed on the inside of the body longer to heal. Some women may not be able to get back to their normal levels of activity until they are eight or more weeks postpartum. There may also be a visible scar left from the c-section incision that will never completely go away, although these usually fade and become less noticeable as time passes.

Having a c-section once often means having one again for future pregnancies. The scar that is left on the uterus after a c-section is much more prone to rupture with a second pregnancy, and for this reason many doctors advise their patients to undergo multiple c-sections to avoid this risk. Even though the risk of uterine rupture is increased, it is still minimal, and many women opt to attempt vaginal delivery after a c-section, also known as a VBAC. The majority of VBACs are successful when they are attempted, but there are lots of women who are not willing to take the chance.