Caesarean section is a relatively safe operation; however, possible complications include infection, damage to your internal organs, an increased risk of respiratory distress for your baby and complications with future pregnancies.
Some of the main risks to you of having a caesarean include: infection of the wound (common) – causing redness, swelling, increasing pain and discharge from the wound. infection of the womb lining (common) – symptoms include a fever, tummy pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and heavy vaginal bleeding.
Long-Term Effects of C-Sections
Children born by C-section also suffer increased rates of diseases, including asthma, type I diabetes, allergies, obesity, as well as reduced overall cognitive functioning and lower academic performance.
Evidence and expert consensus are consistent on the message that C-sections, on average, come with greater risks than vaginal births: more blood loss, more chance of infection or blood clots, more complications in future pregnancies, a higher risk of death.
Overall, pelvic floor problems are rare enough that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that vaginal births are safer than C-sections.
Furthermore, emergency Cesarean section operations had a greater impact on neonates' sense of touch compared to those born by planned Cesarean section. Children born through emergency Cesarean section were prone to tactile resistance due to the experience of birth trauma.
Blood loss is less than vaginal birth.” “Cesarean birth is faster than vaginal birth.” “Planned cesarean sections are convenient, date and time can be selected, and there is no need to wait for spontaneous labor.
An altered microbiota in C-section births
Newborns delivered by C-section tend to harbor in their guts disease-causing microbes commonly found in hospitals (e.g. Enterococcus and Klebsiella), and lack strains of gut bacteria found in healthy children (e.g. Bacteroides species).
Australia's caesarean section rate was higher than the OECD average over this time and ranked 27th out of 34 OECD countries in 2017, with a rate of 33.7 per 100 live births (ranked from lowest to highest) (OECD 2019). In 2020, 37% of all women giving birth in Australia had a caesarean section (AIHW 2022).
As you might expect, the difference between an unplanned Cesarean and an emergency Cesarean is urgency. Generally, this means there is an immediate safety concern for you or your baby, and immediate intervention is needed to keep you both as healthy and safe as possible.
Many guides suggest that full recovery from a C-section takes 4 to 6 weeks. Yet every person is different, and much research suggests a significantly longer recovery time. Some studies , for example, have found that 60 percent of women have some pain in the incision 24 weeks after delivery.
'The differences are very subtle but they come out most clearly in relationships,' she says. 'Caesarean babies as they grow up tend to be both dependent and impatient. They don't know the rhythm of getting to know someone and sustaining a relationship.
It's a controversial topic. The World Health Organization says that C-sections are associated with risks for both mother and baby, which is why it campaigns to reduce unnecessary C-sections and considers them a last resort, only to be done when medically necessary, a stance with which some NHS trusts seem to agree.
A caesarean is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery it carries a certain amount of risk. It's important to be aware of the possible complications, particularly if you're considering having a caesarean for non-medical reasons. Possible complications include: infection of the wound or womb lining.
The more C-sections, the higher the risks of placenta previa and a condition in which the placenta becomes attached to the wall of the uterus (placenta accreta). A C-section also increases the risk of the uterus tearing along the scar line (uterine rupture) for women who attempt a vaginal delivery in a later pregnancy.
Having a c-section before 39 weeks of pregnancy is recommended only if there are health problems that affect you and your baby.
As with any major surgery there are several risks associated with a cesarean delivery. These include blood clots, hemorrhaging, and reaction to the anesthesia. You could also have any of the following: Infection.
Children delivered via cesarean section were 1.33 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and 1.17 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. As the prevalence of these conditions is already relatively low (around 1 percent for autism, and 7 percent for ADHD), this increase in odds is not substantial.
Incision Pain
Pain from the incision site and afterpains from your uterus contracting back down in size can make it very uncomfortable to breastfeed. The side-lying and football hold positions are good choices while your incision is healing.
You may need an elective caesarean section if: you have a very low-lying placenta which covers your cervix (placenta praevia) and blocks your baby's way out. you're having twins, triplets or more - often twins are born vaginally, but if you're having triplets or more you'll almost certainly need one.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section. “We realize many of our patients also face the challenge of caring for the baby while they're recovering,” said Dr. Son.
The C-section babies can display both irritability and increased likely hood of colic. Planned C-section babies are interestingly the most ratty and cranky babies I see. Scientific research absolutely confirms this showing that C-section deliveries cause a change to the friendly gut bacteria in the baby.
It is already known that children born by Caesarean are at higher risk of some disorders such as type 1 diabetes, allergies and asthma. An errant immune system - the body's defence against infection - can play a role in all of them.
There has been some research into how c-sections affect the long-term health of children. There is limited evidence that children born by c-section may have a higher risk of childhood asthma up to the age of 5 and obesity up to the age of 12. The reason for this increased risk is not clear.