Having A Caesarean

...Your Guide & Resource To Caesareans

Having A Caesarean: It Just Isn't That Simple

I receive many emails each month from women wanting to know if they can forego a vaginal birth and opt for a Caesarean instead. My answer is usually "discuss this option with your doctor, but please realize that recovering from a Caesarean is a very long and painful process." In this article, I would like to highlight a few areas concerning Caesareans. I want to ensure that any woman who is torn between choosing a vaginal birth or a Caesarean understands fully what a Caesarean is like.

A Caesarean Section is a major abdominal surgery. While it is a method of delivery, it is a surgery and should be viewed as such. As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Infection, blood loss, harm to the baby and to the mother are possible complications involved with a Caesarean. While the surgery may seem "simple" and "easy", there are many factors that make it more than just an "easy" way to deliver a baby. Women have a longer stay in the hospital after the birth, typically 3-4 days, whereas a vaginal birth requires usually only 1-2 days.

The recovery process is much longer after a Caesarean than with a vaginal birth. This process is also much more painful. It can take weeks, even months to fully recover from a Caesarean Section. During that time, complications can arise. Infection is one of the most common complications after a Caesarean. Not only can the outer incision become infected, but the inner incisions can as well. Fighting the infection can be painful and drawn out. Antibiotics, and possibly further surgery can result

After the healing process has been completed, many women find that there are more complications that they didn't expect. Many women never regain feeling in the incision area. Exercise often won't firm up the area around the incision, leaving a pouch below the incision site. Many women experience pain when moving a certain way, even years after their Caesarean.

A Caesarean is not an easy birthing experience. Unfortunately, many women are not told all of the risks, complications, the other factors surrounding a Caesarean. They go in for their Caesarean believing that it will be a quick solution. Unfortunately, it just isn't that easy.

If there isn't a medical reason to have a Caesarean, and all signs point to a perfectly healthy vaginal delivery, it would be a very wise decision to forego a Caesarean. Recovering from a vaginal birth is much, much easier, and has less complications. While there are risks involved with a vaginal birth, there are many more risks involved with a Caesarean.

Silent Knife:
Cesarean Prevention & VBAC

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