It is seen that there is a rising trend in C-sections, especially, in urban private practice. More number of women are now requesting doctors to do elective Caesarian. The main reason for this is the fear of pain in normal deliveries, and that the C-sections being made more comfortable. However, all experts agree that the best way to have a baby is through normal vaginal delivery.

There are several reasons  for why a normal delivery is  the preferred route of birthing a baby.

• It is the natural way of birth.
• Normal deliveries are not associated with any of the complications associated with surgeries like bleeding from the surgical site, injuries to organs like the bladder and bowel.
• Normal deliveries are not associated with post operation pain.
• Normal deliveries are not associated with anaesthesia-related complications.
• Babies born of C-sections have a slightly increased incidence of respiratory distress compared to babies born out of normal deliveries.

If a women undergoes C-section in the first pregnancy, her chances of a normal delivery reduces in the next pregnancy.

Vaginal birth After Caesarean (VBAC):

Vaginal birth After Caesarean can be successfully attempted. Several women with a primary C-section (C-section in the first pregnancy) can consider VBAC as an option. Before advicing VBAC the history and clinical features of to-be mums is concidered. The incidence of scar ruptures during labour in VBAC is 0.1 to 0.5 per cent, which means 99.5 per cent of women undergoing VBAC may not have any complication.  VBAC is universally accepted safe procedure which contributes immensely in bringing down the C-section rates.

Pain relief during labour:

Often, a to-be mum’s biggest fear of natural delivery is because of the pain associated with it. However, there are a host of pain-relief options available today to assist in a relatively easier labour. Institutions conscious of a mother’s need to know all her options will encourage them to discuss with the labour analgesia team (the obstetrician, anaesthesiologist and physical therapist) before agreeing to accept one technique over the other. Available options are relaxation achieved by breathing techniques, pain relieving medications and continuous epidural analgesia.