Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase of woman’s life. Pregnant woman can have delivery of baby either vaginally or by caesarean section. Main aim is to have safe delivery with healthy mother and healthy baby.

Going through labour pains and having a normal vaginal delivery is a long process that can be physically tough for the mother, but benefits of having normal vaginal delivery is shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time as compared to caesarean section. Another pros of normal vaginal delivery includes.

Pros of Normal Delivery:

• Less Bleeding
• Less Pain
• No scar in abdomen
• No anaesthesia risks
• Breast feeding can be started early
• Less breathing problems in baby

Cons of Normal Delivery:

• Pain at episiotomy site
• Perineal tear
• Weakness or injury to pelvic muscles
• Bowel or urinary incontinence
• Injury to baby in case of difficult delivery

In some cases, caesarean sections are planned because of medical problems that make vaginal birth risky and sometimes caesarean section is done in emergency conditions where health of the mother or baby is at risk. Although the caesarean sections are generally  safe and life saving  in some conditions ,they carry additional risks as compared to vaginal delivery.

Pros of Caesarean Section Delivery:

• Life saving for mother and baby in condition where normal vaginal delivery is not possible.
• Caesarean section can be scheduled in advance making it more convenient and predictable than vaginal delivery.

Cons of Caesarean Birth:

• Longer hospital stay
• Longer recovery time
• Increased risk as blood loss
• Pain and soreness at stitches
• Injury to bladder and bowel
• Wound complications
• Delay in breast feeding
• Increased risk of breathing problems in babies
• Future pregnancy complications such as repeat Caesarean section ,placental abnormalities, uterine rupture
• Risks of anaesthesia

The important message is that both vaginal and Caesarean birth are safe, but it is also important to keep in mind that if you compare a vaginal delivery and Caesarean  delivery a vaginal birth is far safer than Caesarean birth.