There’s a little cherub that has arrived newly into this world. Sarita is looking at the crib that holds her precious newborn, rocking it gently every time she hears the little one cry. She sits on the plush suite at the Birthplace, comfortable, as her family gushes over the new one, wondering who he looks like. She thinks about all the months of her pregnancy, her fears, her anxiety and all the build-up towards the day her baby was born. Surprise, surprise, Sarita managed the unthinkable — she delivered her baby normally! 

Normal Vs Cesarean: The Better Choice 

To begin with, a cesarean section for birth is not normally the most preferred one. Normal delivery is the best way and the most ‘normal’ choice. There are a number of reasons why cesarean sections become a necessity:

  1. When the baby is too large, or the mother’s pelvic region is too small. Either of these reasons could leave the baby stuck, leading to complications. These factors are determined beforehand and mothers-to-be are counselled and prepared for a c-section much in advance. 
  2. Cesareans are also opted for when there is a danger to the mother or baby or both like infections, when the baby passes meconium or stool inside the womb or any other complications. When the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck – that’s also when the obstetrician could call for a c-section. Lack of ‘water’ or fluids inside the sac could also cause a c-section.
  3. Incorrect foetal position could also cause the obstetrician to go for a cesarean. The normal position for baby to take towards the end of term is a head down. However, due to many reasons, the baby could either be buttocks or feet down, or be in a transverse lie position – in which the head and the feet are on either side of the abdomen. 
  4. Expecting multiples (twins, triplets etc) could also warrant for a cesarean in the obstetrician deems fit. 
  5. Other reasons could include any pre-existing condition that the mother has, any emergency and sometimes, even the age. 

Who Decides The Pain Threshold?

Women might have a certain perception of the pain tolerance levels, but nobody, not even the woman herself knows for sure. Women are, by design, wired to withstand and survive labour pains. Fear of pain might cloud their belief, but with proper counselling, it is not impossible. Therefore, before locking the option of cesarean, women should talk to their obstetricians, take in all the information and then make an informed choice.

Who Decides The Pain Threshold?

Women might have a certain perception of the pain tolerance levels, but nobody, not even the woman herself knows for sure. Women are, by design, wired to withstand and survive labour pains. Fear of pain might cloud their belief, but with proper counselling, it is not impossible. Therefore, before locking the option of cesarean, women should talk to their obstetricians, take in all the information and then make an informed choice.

FAQ’s

A woman’s water breaks and a couple jumps in the car, careening to the hospital. During labor, the mom exists on a diet of ice chips, screaming as she endures agonizing contractions. Is this pop culture image of delivery for real? Some long-held beliefs about having a baby are no longer valid–or never were. Giving birth is as individual as you are, so here are some answers to help set the record straight.

Maybe. You may have heard that eating spicy food, having sex, or stimulating the nipples can start labor. The least reliable of these theories is the spicy food one, which suggests that a busy digestion can trigger contractions. Having sex, though, has been linked to earlier onset of labor and nipple stimulation makes the body secrete oxytocin, which is known to stimulate contractions. Still, no matter how ready you feel, it’s best to let your body and your baby take the lead when it comes to timing.

Again, maybe. When your baby moves lower in your body, it’s preparing to be born, but delivery may still be weeks away. On the other hand, it could be a matter of hours, so it’s not a reliable sign. Likewise, your cervix may begin to soften or thin and open weeks before the first stage of labor begins. So what should you rely on? Your best bet is to talk to your healthcare provider about how to assess contractions for signs it’s time to put the suitcase in the car and head out.