Childbirth is the heart of every woman. Additionally, having it with the least labor and smoothly via vagina is something every woman wants. However, life is unpredictable. What if things don't go the way we want them to? Well, every problem comes with a solution and it's better to take the precautions beforehand after consulting the certified doctor. In case the direct deliveries aren't possible, doctors advise going for the C-section (cesarean section) delivery to make sure that the mother and child are healthy and safe.
What is a C-section Delivery?
"Such kind of delivery involves the use of surgery via slashing the uterus part and the abdominal wall area of the woman."
Overall, the cesarean section delivery is considered safe when the life of a mother and the child is in threat (if done via vaginal surgery) but it's not considered as safe as that of vaginal delivery.
Cesarean delivery showed a massive increase all over the world from 2000-2015. Such deliveries showed the peak number in Latin America & the Caribbean. As per the statistics, the OECD countries including Italy, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, United States, along South Korea witnessed the maximum cases of cesarean section - c-section delivery during 2017.
The procedure of a c-section delivery -
- Starts with putting on a hospital gown. Then placing you on the examination table.
- Settling urinary catheter inside you.
- Commencing intravenous (IV) line on your arms.
- Binding the legs with straps to hold you onto the table.
- Cleaning abdomen hairs and covering them with sterile material.
- A continuous check will be kept on the mothers breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
- Putting an incision at top of the pubic bone once you are in anesthesia.
- Continuing with the deeper incisions through your tissues to reach the uterine wall.
- Delivering the baby by opening the amniotic sac.
- Cutting the umbilical cord.
- Removal of the placenta.
- Closing incision using stitches.
- Finally, apply a sterile bandage.
What is the need for C-section delivery?
Urgent requirements of the C-section delivery came into the picture when women start confronting unsafe vaginal births. Multiple conditions involve the immediate C-section delivery rather than vaginal delivery -
- Delivery women facing issues in the placenta for example - placenta previa.
- Risk of the baby to be born having multiple defects like hydrocephalus.
- Women having multiple pregnancies with the least gap.
- Delivery women having prior surgery on her uterus.
- Delivery women withstanding diseases like HIV etc, which may result in risking the life of the mother and the child if it's done via the vagina.
- The automatic internal shift in the position of the baby to be born.
As per the APA - American Pregnancy Association, 1 out of 200 child expecting women faces Placenta previa. Among those, only 1% of the delivery mother faces the rare placental abruption.
DATA; 'C-section delivery vs Normal delivery'
- As per the 'marketsandmarkets' report, the IVF sector will showcase the growth from USD 465.2 million - 2016 to USD 847.8 million - 2022.
- IVF Market will be affected by various factors including - declining fertility rates, the consumption rate of drugs/cigarettes/alcohols, male infertility growth, First-time pregnancy of a median-aged woman.
- Survival centers & fertility clinics like IVF will witness the highest CAGR by 2022.
- The insurance of the fertility treatment is covered by only 25% of existing insurance plans as per the National Infertility Association.
- The cost of IVF in India is 70% lower as compared to other countries (3000 USD) with a total of more than 600 IVF clinics all over India.
- A major source of limited C-section deliveries in other countries is its cost. For example USD 12,400 in the US and USD 4000 in Thailand etc.
How to prepare for a c-section delivery?
- Avoid shaving your stomach or other body parts.
- Bath with a bacteria-killing soap.
- Avoid the intake of solid food items - at least 8 hours before delivery.
- Get enrolled yourself in a conversation with the doctor about how to close incisions?
- Consult your doctor in advance to stay well prepared about immediate eating and pain-relieving options after a c-section.
Is the C-section delivery painful?
The C-section delivery generally doesn't involve any physical pain. Nevertheless, women undergoing this might end up feeling some sort of sensations as if something is being done to them - a kind of physical pressure or pull. You may find yourself in a state of anesthesia during C-section delivery. You will be in your senses during this procedure, yet you might not feel pain as your lower part starting from the waist is numbed.
You will be awake to sense what's going on around you. You will get to know once your baby is out of your belly although a certain cloth or covering is done to that part you will get that feeling or indication once the baby is born.
As stated by the "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," the time consumed labor or prolonged labor leads to cesarean section deliveries rather than direct vaginal delivery. They also stated that the c-section is bound to take place if -
- New mothers have been in labor for more than 20 hours.
- Mothers who already gave birth previously have been in labor for more than 14 hours.
Also, as stated by the APA American Pregnancy Association, almost 90% of the women are capable of delivering normally via vagina which isn't painful and allows life-threatening risks free deliveries for those who had been a victim of a cesarean delivery before.
Natural ways to recover from C-section delivery -
The immediate recovery footsteps from the C-section delivery generally requires 3 to 4 days of stay at the hospital premises. To fully recover from this, as per doctors it may take up to 6-8 months. To recover from it fully and asap, specialists suggest taking plenty of sleep, avoid holding heavy stuff and relieve yourself from pain using pain relievers. Following are the extended version of natural ways to recover faster -
- Smell the fragrance of natural essential oils.
- Intake only the fiber-rich and nutrient intact food.
- Take your prenatal vitamins time.
- Keep yourself warm by heat like sunbath, electric bottles, etc.
- Walk barefoot for 5 minutes on the grass and nature.
- Go for a gentle body massage.
Side effects of C-section delivery -
- Unpredictable mood swings.
- Tiredness even after proper sleep.
- Constipation issues for a long while, and difficulty indigestion.
- Unwanted incision area soreness.
- Difficulty in meeting new people, and preferring self-isolation.
- Feeling exhausted most of the time.
- Sudden heaviness in the body while lifting the baby.
Risks associated with C-section delivery -
- Life risking injuries to the baby.
- Leading the permanent death (only in the 2% severe cases).
- External body itching and other internal life-threatening reactions and infections due to the intake of medicines.
- Leading to blood clotting in multiple areas of the mother.
- Huge bleeding creating body weakness ( it, in rare cases, might need a blood transfusion).
- Gall bladder internal injury and swelling.
Always weigh the pros and cons of every situation, then go ahead and choose the best possible alternative. Your life matters, every mother's life matters! If you think you are at risk of life and the C-section delivery is the only choice left then feel free to go ahead with this option. It may turn up into some short-term side effects though and a longer recovery time but it is worth it if it is not risking your entire life.
References -
https://www.statista.com/topics/5217/cesarean-sections/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/c-sections.html#:~:text=You%20won't%20feel%20any,hear%20their%20baby%20being%20born.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/some-benefits-to-c-sections-researchers-say#Risks-and-benefits-of-C-sections
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/in-vitro-fertilization-market-89198891.html#:~:text=%5B181%20Pages%20Report%5D%20MarketsandMarkets%20forecasts,10.9%25%20during%20the%20forecast%20period.