One of the hottest debates in the so-called “Mommy Wars” centers around delivering by c-section vs. vaginally. Not a week goes by without new information supporting vaginal deliveries and deploring c-sections. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, c-sections accounted for 32.7% of deliveries of deliveries in the US in 2013. Filtering through all of the information that comes from these debates, here are ten things you need to know about having a c-section:
1. You cannot have a cesarean section just because! Cesarean sections are no different from any other major surgery. Due to the generally good outcome, we often forget this, but your provider should be able to explain why you need a c-section.
2. C-sections are performed for a specific health reasons, not because your provider has somewhere to be! Some reasons might include: abnormal location of the placenta, baby’s heart rate dropping with or without contractions, or baby has his his or her butt or back down instead of head down.
3. Your recovery will be slower, especially if you went through labor before having a c-section. If you have a c-section after laboring, you will be recovering from labor as well as surgery: be kind to yourself, it’s not a contest.
4. You can both breastfeed and have skin-to-skin contact with your baby after your c-section while in the recovery room. Talk to your nurse and unless something is going on with either you or your baby, they will make it happen.
5. Having one c-section does not mean you will always have to have a c-section. Depending on the reasons behind your c-section, you may be able to have a successful vaginal delivery with your next child. Talk to you provider about it during your first prenatal visit so you know what his; her practices regarding vaginal deliveries after c-section.
6. You will help at home after your c-section! Remember you are recovering from pregnancy as well as surgery.
7. If you need pain medication after your surgery: take it! Your physician will not knowingly give you something that will harm your baby and if you are in pain, you cannot take care of your baby.
8. Your incision will heal but you need to take care of it! You will need to give it time. And yes, the little pouch can go away too: it’s about eating healthy and exercising!
9. You will be in the hospital for a minimum of 3 days. But if you have a good support system at home, and you are eating, walking, and passing gas or stool, you might be able to go home early.
10. Having a c-section does not take away your mommy brownie points! Remember the goal is to have a healthy baby in a way that benefits both you and your baby. Most of the time this means a vaginal delivery, but every so often a c-section can make a difference between a great outcome and a bad one. Do not let anyone take away from your delivery experience.
So talk to your provider, ask questions, ask about their c-section rates (i.e. the national average is 32.7% , theirs should be no higher unless they specialize in high risk pregnancies.) If you are having twins, ask about their policies regarding vaginal deliveries of twins. If the babies are in the right position, you may be able to have a vaginal delivery after careful counseling and consideration.
Great resources include: ACOG.org, childbirth connection.org