C-Section Versus Vaginal Birth free essay sample

Although Doctors give their medical input on how women should give birth, shouldn’t the mother be the determining factor. It is important to know the risks and benefits for the pregnant mothers and babies so, future mothers can be aware. Furthermore we have to mention the risks of cesarean section to the pregnant woman so she can be aware of the consequences. So infection is one or nearby pelvic organs such as the bladder, kidneys. Increased blood loss, which is about twice as much as the vaginal birth. Decreased bowel function, the bowels function slows down for several days after this major surgery causing discomfort, distention and bloating. Respiratory complications caused by the general anesthesia. Longer stay in the hospital, like two to five days. Reactions to anesthesia, which can cause alterations in the blood pressure. Also because is not a natural process because the body is violated it can trigger post partum depression. Researchers did a study on the effects of a cesarean section on a mother after childbirth. They found that when a mother had an emergency C-section carried out, 46% of the women are at a heightened risk of developing depression after 3 months. The researchers say that the risk is increased by 6 times. In contrast the risks of vaginal birth could be if the women push for too long they can have a recto-vaginal fistula, wherein a passage forms between the rectum and vagina and the symptoms of this are nightmarish which is fecal matter through the vagina, flatus incontinence, pain and this condition is attributed to prolonged hours of labour. Vaginal birth is generally painful. Fear and tension change hormonal states, physically increasing levels of pain, often to a point where women can no longer cope without analgesics. Furthermore it can be messy. It is usually hard work and women often perspire heavily. There are other body fluids involved too like the amniotic fluid, urine and blood and there is the placenta. Also mothers can have incontinence or anal incontinence. However these symptoms can be prevented by practicing the episiotomy; a small incision into the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening. The risk of post partum depression is lower by having a vaginal birth, 10% of the women can experience postpartum depression after 6 weks of giving birth moreover if the baby has any deformation or any health complications. In addition the risks of cesarean section to the baby are premature birth, because sometimes the due date is not accurate. Respiratory problems because the amniotic liquid isn’t expulsed by the pressure of the vaginal canal, babies born by cesarean are more likely to suffer asthma, abnormally fast breathing during the first few days after birth. Low Apgar score that is what rates a babys appearance, pulse, responsiveness, muscle activity, and breathing. Fetal injury, the surgeon can get cuts by accident when they are making the incision and another risk is no breastfeeding, the babies don’t want to get fed. In the other hand vaginal birth increases the risk of brain hemorrhage in newborns and brachial plexus birth injury; this injury resolves in a few weeks after the baby have been born. Furthermore lets talk about the benefits of a cesarean section. It has its benefits when there are complications in the pregnant mothers labor or delivery process. In some cases, baby is stubborn and doesn’t want to make its way down the birth canal, even though the mother pushes as hard as she can. In contrast if pregnant mothers decide to go through a cesarean section will know the due date and they won’t need to go through the contractions process, or feel pain between the vaginal tract and the perineum. In the long term, having a caesarean may help to protect against the slight risk of the uterus slipping into the vagina called prolapse. However a growing number of women choose the cesarean section nowadays. Sometimes a C-section is not only necessary, but also is the only way a woman can bring a baby into the world. In addition for a mother who has genital herpes, delivering her baby by C-section ensures that the infant will not be infected by going through vaginal delivery. This is also makes it possible for an HIV-infected mother to give birth. Often a C-section will be recommended when the labor is not progressing and there is a risk to the baby or the baby is in distress. If a woman has had a previous C-section sometimes a vaginal birth could be unsafe and a C-section will be performed. In contrast lets talk about the benefits of the vaginal birth. Delivering a baby vaginally triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone known to influence maternal behavior in animals. Oxytocin is often known as the hormone of love because it is involved with lovemaking, fertility, contractions during labor and birth, and the release of milk in breastfeeding. It helps us feel good, and it triggers nurturing feelings and behaviors. Now a study shows that a mothers brain reacts more strongly to her baby’s needs if she had a vaginal birth. And mothers tend to be more responsive towards their babies when they cry and have a stronger connection with them. It also exist a lower risk of respiratory problems, when the baby passes through the e vaginal canal the pressure helps to expulse amniotic fluid in the babies lungs. As the baby passes through the birth canal it pick up a protective bacteria that they ingest, so this bacteria colonizes in their intestines and forms a strong immune system as they develop childhood into adulthood. In addition it is important to talk about the recovery after cesarean section, the recovery happens in stages, first they take the mothers into a post operative recovery room. They will remain in bed until the anesthesia effects go away. The vital signs of the mother will be monitored carefully as will the flow of blood. Usually is better to start moving after the surgery so the recovery will be faster, so starting making slow breathing exercises as they move slowly into the room. The average hospital stay after cesarean section is 2   4 days. And taken pain-killers may help as well. To sum up it is important to talk about the recovery process to the baby. The baby may need special care, particularly if that was the reason for the cesarean. So he or she may spend extra time in the nursery. If there were respiratory problems the baby may need to stay longer to be in observation an under treatment before going home, or if the baby was underweight it may have to have special care and diet. On the contrary the recovery process for a mother after a vaginal birth is while the mothers were pregnant, their bodies hoarded fluid. Then their bodies are returning to normal. The extra fluid, tissues and blood needed during pregnancy have to be dissolved. Theyll leave their body via your kidneys as urine. They will sweat more, swollen feet and ankles. Drinking enough water will helps to keep the bladder healthier and will helps in case of constipation. Cramps are another recovery symptom during this process, because the body is shrinking down back into its original shape The uterus will take approximately six to eight weeks to shrink to its pre-pregnancy size and the contractions may be felt as â€Å"after pains†. The production of prolactin, which is an hormone that stimulates the milk production as the oxytocin. After a vaginal birth the mothers will normally stay in a hospital for two days after a vaginal birth and maybe get some pain- killers to cope with the pain. It is also common to have bloodshot eyes, facial bruising and muscle/joint pain related to the strain of pushing during labour and this won’t last long. In conclusion there are many choices between cesarean section and vaginal birth that may influence the pregnant mothers taking a decision, such as health, risks and recovery process. However In this new millennium, women do have an alternative, one that has been provided by the wonders of modern technology women today have the choice, something that women in ages past. A caesarean is perceived as pain-free. In the other hand vaginal birth it is also widely acknowledged that the baby plays a part in deciding when the time is right to be born. It has been commented that babies born by elective caesarean section can show signs of being angry and do not appreciate being delivered before they are ready. Furthermore there are two options C-Section and vaginal birth. Words : 1518 References : Navelgazing Midwife, comp. - Navelgazing Midwife Blog What ARE the Risks of Vaginal Birth? Navelgazingmidwife (2008): 1. What ARE the Risks of Vaginal Birth. Web. 14 May 2013. lt;http://navelgazingmidwife. squarespace. com/navelgazing-midwife-blog/2011/7/28/what-are-the-risks-of-vaginal-birth. htmlgt;. Lowdon, Gina, and Debbie Chippington Derrick. Caesarean Section or Vaginal Birth – What Difference Does It Make? Web log post. Caesarean Section or Vaginal Birth. N. p. , 2002. Web. 14 May 2013. lt;http://www. bellybelly. com. au/birth/caesarean-section-or-vaginal-birthgt;. Enkin, Murray. A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000. Print. Murphy, Magnus, and Pauline McDonagh Hull. Choosing Cesarean: The Natural Birth Plan. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 2012. Print. Vaginal Delivery Releases Oxytocin.    Fit Pregnancy. N. p. , 2009. Web. 14 May 2013. lt;http://www. fitpregnancy. com/unsorted/vaginal-delivery-releases-oxytocingt;. Operative Delivery and Postnatal Depression: A Cohort Study.   Postnatal Depression-aetiological Factors. N. p. , 2002. Web. 14 May 2013. lt;http://www. bmj. com/content/330/7496/879gt;.