Doctors Love It, But Do You Really Need a C-Section?

If you ask your sisters, cousins, and friends, who’ve given birth, you’ll most probably find out that many of them have had cesarean deliveries. This is no surprise since Egypt ranked second worldwide in a study analyzing the global increase in Cesarean Sections (CS). According to the statistics, both Egypt and Brazil ranked second, with a C-section percentage of 55.5%, after the Dominican Republic, which came in the first place.

Photo credit: Statista

While C-section is the best option for some conditions, there’s also a widespread belief in Egypt that doctors prefer caesareans, since they feel it’s safe, fast, and pricey, minus the hassle. But do you have a say in it?

When to consider a C-section?

According to Mayo Clinic, there are certain conditions that might require a CS:

• Stalled labor
• Complications during vaginal birth
• There’s an issue with the baby’s heartbeats/The baby is in distress
• The baby is in an abnormal position
• The placenta is blocking the cervix (placenta previa)
• Having twins, triplets, or more
• The baby’s head is extraordinarily big
• The mom has a health condition
• The umbilical cord is prolapsed
• The mom has undergone previous C-section/s

Why some doctors love C-section?

1- They don’t want to risk your health or the baby’s, avoiding the complications of a natural delivery.
2- It’s scheduled, hence more convenient (no wake-up calls at 3 am).
3- It’s a time-saver (no 72-hour-long labor).
4- It’s double the price of natural delivery.

Photo credit: France 24

Is cesarean really better than vaginal birth?

While C-section leaves your vagina untouched, meaning that you don’t have to encounter the complications that might arise following vaginal birth. Compared to natural labor, C-section has a longer recovery period, as it’s a surgery after all, in addition to a potential of infection of the wound post-surgery.

Problems with repeated C-sections

Three issues can arise from repeated C-sections:
1- After the third C-section, your chances of bowel or bladder injury increase.
2- After the third C-section, you might encounter heavy bleeding postpartum, which could eventually lead to blood transfusion or removal of the uterus.
3- There is an increased probability of developing placenta problems.

Further reading: 5 Medical Cases That Might Require a C-Section.