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Birth perspectives: Exploring Caesarean Sections, Natural Deliveries, and New-born Beginnings

One of the most precious moments of our lives happened when we were born. A path was created for all of us, each to our own. Our genes and environment create the person we are today. Each mother has their own story of how we came about. Either by a natural birth or by a c-section. 


"52% of deliveries were spontaneous vaginal births, 11% had instrumental assistance, 15% were elective caesarean sections and 19% were emergency caesarean sections"

The definition of a c-section is, "Caesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus"

Having known someone who has had a c-section, I think her for bringing me to the world. I'd like to take a moment to thank all mothers for bringing their precious offspring, who are the future of our world. 

When a mother gives birth, a positive feedback system occurs, and oxytocin (the hormone of love) is released. 


Whether a mother used a c-section or chose to give natural birth, the effects doesn't just end after 9- 10 months, it can last longer, as we'll find out.  


What inspired me to write this blog, was this article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6894937/ 


C-sections and natural births

This article spoke about how the method of our birth affects our gut biome. What I was more interested in, is the difference in the way we can enter this world. 

Natural birth is safer for both the woman and the baby. C-sections are an option when the baby is not positioned in the natural way of coming out. C-sections may cause scarring with risks like severe bleeding. However, you won't get that leak in your urine when you, laugh, sneeze or cough. C-sections can be scheduled in advance making it more convenient and predictable than natural birth and can be a life-saving option. However, a mother who had a c-section once may require it again for any future children she has. Blood loss may be greater at a c-section birth, as a bowel or bladder may be injured at birth. 


More on the pros and cons here: https://www.livescience.com/45681-vaginal-birth-vs-c-section.html


'Babies' A Netflix documentary

Another thing a child cannot control which may affect them is the overly hygienic environment. A little bit of mess and chaos can reduce their chance of child diseases. "Babies", a documentary on Netflix is a show I highly recommend watching. You'll see first-hand how research is done on Babies as the researchers themselves are in the documentary. One study I found interesting in that documentary was on how early a baby could walk from. Another study showed how children grow up so fast in their early months. From this documentary, I learnt that an environment rich with discoveries for a child to make can help stimulate them and help them grow cognitively. 




What are your thoughts?

Overall, the studies of c-sections and natural births are so new, that other variables can affect the study. 

Like the relation between c-section and natural births: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-10831-y had environmental factors affecting the results. Or even the study of a newborn's gut bacteria. The research is about the precious first few moments of a baby's life is new. It's about what happens after that matters the most.


(I am amazed at parents, everywhere, for taking on that responsibility and raising their child. Even with the all the difficulties and burdens, caregivers of the youth are able to step up for their child. I'm sorry for this not being sentimental enough- sentiment is not my strongest suit!) 





Stats reference: what-every-pregnant-woman-needs-to-know-about-cesarean-section.pdf (no date) NHS choices. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/maternity-services-monthly-statistics/january-2022-experimental-statistics (Accessed: 02 September 2023).


Cesarean birth reference: Cesarean section (2019) JHM. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cesarean-section#:~:text=Cesarean%20section%2C%20C%2Dsection%2C,%2C%20the%20baby%2C%20or%20both. (Accessed: 02 September 2023).

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