Why Are Some Pregnant Women Afraid of Natural Deliveries?

The percentage of women having caesareans rather than spontaneous, vaginal deliveries, has grown in recent years. In the UK around 20% of births are now c-sections and not just for medical reasons.

These 'elective' caesareans are supposed to be an option if a pregnant woman has already had an emergency one in a previous pregnancy, or if it might be difficult or dangerous for her to delivery naturally.

There is no corresponding evidence regarding the medical necessity for this increase, meaning more surgeons are clearly being persuaded to arrange them without medical reason.

So why are more women afraid of natural spontaneous deliveries and asking for caesareans?

Pain

Caesareans are seen by many pregnant women as the painless way to give birth. Many women worry they'll be unable to cope with the pain of a spontaneous vaginal delivery. But with modern pain relief options contractions can be made much more bearable. Also the recovery time for a vaginal birth is usually quicker than a caesarean which is a surgical procedure and brings with it risks of infection, haemorrhaging and other potentially serious conditions.

Choosing the date

Mums choosing caesareans may be able to select a date to fit their family plans, but is it fair to the baby to force his arrival just for the parents or surgeons convenience?

The fear of after effects

Some pregnant women think a c-section prevents damage to their pelvic floor during delivery, so they'll be free from the risks of a weak bladder later. Others worry that their vagina will stretch and sex will become less pleasurable in future.

The pelvic floor muscles come under pressure throughout the third trimester so having a caesarean may not prevent problems. It is true that some stress urinary incontinence can be caused by the stretching of muscles during natural childbirth thus causing a leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing or laughing.

But carrying out gentle, regular pelvic floor exercises is the best way to prevent future bladder weakness problems.

The vagina will go back into shape after giving birth. The perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and anus) may be cut or tear in labour, but this too will repair.

Unfortunately stories by woman about ruined sex lives, sore stitches and haemorrhoids only send more women running to tick the caesarean request box.

Other reasons why women should think twice before selecting a caesarean:

Some women say they missed that feeling of achievement. Others say the process of vaginal delivery is key for bonding.Around 35 in 1000 c-section babies have breathing difficulties compared to 5 in 1000 after a natural birth.A woman is four times more likely to die as a result of a caesarean than from a vaginal birth.The wound of a caesarean can be uncomfortable for weeksSome women are left with an unsightly flap of skin above their scar which later requires cosmetic surgery.Debra Aspinall is an experienced journalist and the editor and leading writer for the Emma's Diary website, one of the UKs foremost pregnancy and baby websites. Debra writes on pregnancy related topics such as pregnant , pregnancy, giving birth, trimesters of pregnancy and etc. She also writes on women's health and beauty issues and contributes travel articles to glossy magazines in London and the Home Counties.