Caesarean section (C-section) is surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen. It's a method that is increasing in popularity; in the U.S., C-sections constitute as many as one in three deliveries. Although a frequently performed procedure, it's still considered major surgery, and there are pros and cons to delivering a baby this way. A few of the pros of C-section birth include predictability if the procedure is planned, reduced trauma to the vaginal area, and a lower risk of oxygen deprivation or other trauma to the baby from the delivery process. Several cons of the procedure are longer recovery time and hospital stay, visible scarring, and increased chance of complications for future pregnancies.
The use of C-section birth as a delivery method has risen sharply in the last decade due to a combination of factors. More women are having babies at older ages, thereby raising the chance of complications during vaginal delivery, and more doctors are turning to C-section as a way to avoid risk. A higher percentage of pregnancies are the result of fertility treatments that often result in multiple babies, which are usually delivered via C-section. Another factor is a increasing number of women having planned, or elective, C-section births.
There are multiple advantages of C-section birth. For example, when it's a planned procedure, it can reduce a woman's anxiety concerning the pain of vaginal birth and allows her to plan ahead for the baby's arrival. Another benefit is a reduction in the trauma to the pelvic floor and vagina that can occur during a vaginal delivery. There is a lower chance of sexual difficulties after the birth which can sometimes last for months after vaginal delivery, particularly if there is a tear or an episiotomy. Another pro of a C-section birth is reduced risk to the baby from complications such as oxygen deprivation or other delivery related trauma.
Since a C-section birth is major surgery, there are significant disadvantages associated with the procedure. As with any major procedure, there are risks of complications including anesthesia-related problems, blood clots, infections, or damage to other organs such as the bladder. The recovery from a C-section takes longer than with vaginal birth and is usually more painful; a longer hospital stay is generally required. A C-section also leaves a visible, permanent scar. There is also an increased chance of serious complications to future pregnancies which range from placental difficulties due to scar tissue to the risk of uterine rupture during labor. Women who are planning to have several children are often advised not to have an elective C-section delivery because of these possibilities.
