This may be a good time during the pregnancy for your spouse to give a thought to the manner of delivery she wishes to opt for. The options— natural, induced, or cesarean—all have their pros and cons.
Natural delivery
- This is the most common method of childbirth.
- It does not involve an extended stay in a hospital.
- The risks associated with major surgery are avoided.
- This method of delivery makes breastfeeding easier.
- The mother can actively participate in the childbirth.
Induced delivery
- In this method, labor is artificially induced rather than spontaneous.
- It avoids complications in post-term babies.
- The pregnant mom, or her doctor, can decide when to go in for labor.
- Studies report that women who have induced labor are less likely to develop chorioamnionitis, an infection of the placental membranes.
Cesarean section
- In this method, delivery is surgically carried out through an incision made by the doctor in the abdomen and uterus.
- It is required if labor does not progress normally.
- It is also required in case of a complication in the pregnancy.
- It is useful in cases where the fetus has been diagnosed with a developmental problem.
- It is helpful in cases of women carrying twins, triplets, or multiples.
- Cesarean is also used in the cases where the mom has herpes or similar infections, to prevent the baby from contracting these infections.