Normal or cesarean delivery: main differences and how to choose

Normal delivery is better for both mother and baby because in addition to faster recovery, allowing the mother to take care of the baby soon and without pain, the mother's risk of infection is less because there is less bleeding and the baby also has less risk of breathing problems.

However, caesarean section may be the best delivery option in some cases. Pelvic presentation (when the baby is sitting), twin (when the first fetus is in an anomalous position), when there is a cephalopelvic disproportion or in cases where there is a suspicion of detachment of the placenta or total placenta previa occlusing the birth canal.

Differences between normal and cesarean delivery

Normal delivery and cesarean delivery vary between labor and the postpartum period. Therefore, see in the following table the main differences between the two types of delivery:

Normal birth	Cesarean
Faster recovery	Slower recovery
Less postpartum pain	Higher than in postpartum
Lower risk of complications	Higher risk of complications
Minor scar	Bigger scar
Lower risk of baby being born premature	Higher risk of baby being born premature
Longer labor	Shorter labor
With or without anesthesia	With anesthesia
Easier breastfeeding	More difficult breastfeeding
Lower risk of respiratory diseases in the baby	Higher risk of respiratory diseases in the baby

In cases of normal birth, the mother can usually get up right away to take care of the baby, she has no pain after delivery and future deliveries are easier, last less time and the pain is even less, while in cesarean section, the woman can only getting up between 6 and 12 hours after giving birth, you have pain and future caesarean deliveries are more complicated.

The woman may not feel pain during normal delivery if she receives epidural anesthesia, which is a type of anesthesia that is given in the back so that the woman does not feel pain during labor and does not harm the baby. Learn more at: Epidural anesthesia.

In cases of normal birth, in which the woman does not want to receive anesthesia, this is called natural birth, and the woman can adopt some strategies to relieve pain such as changing positions or controlling breathing. Read more at: How to relieve pain during labor.

Indications of cesarean

Cesarean section is indicated in the following cases:

Twin pregnancy when the first fetus is pelvic or in some abnormal presentation; Acute fetal distress; Very large babies, over 4, 500 g; Transverse or sitting baby; Placenta previa, placental abruption or abnormal umbilical cord position; Malformations congenital; maternal problems such as AIDS, genital herpes, serious cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases or inflammatory bowel disease; performance of two previous cesarean sections.

In addition, cesarean section is also indicated when trying to induce labor through medication (if trying a labor test) and it does not evolve. However, it is important to remember that caesarean delivery carries a higher risk of complications during and after surgery.

What is humanized childbirth?

Humanized delivery is a delivery in which the pregnant woman has control and decision over all aspects of labor such as position, place of delivery, anesthesia or presence of family members, and where the obstetrician and the team are present to put the decisions into practice and wishes of the pregnant woman, taking into account the safety and health of the mother and baby.

Thus, in humanized childbirth, the pregnant woman decides whether she wants a normal or cesarean delivery, anesthesia, in bed or in the water, for example, and it is only up to the medical team to respect these decisions, as long as they do not put the mother and baby at risk. To find out more advantages of humanized delivery see: How is a humanized delivery.