Labor & Delivery

As an obstetrician, I meet many women who are worried about childbirth and prefer to have a caesarean section, which they consider a safer choice. However, natural childbirth is the normal process of human reproduction and for this reason, we support every woman to overcome any fear in this wonderful journey, so that she has a sweet memory of natural childbirth.
On the contrary, proceeding with a caesarean section can be associated with immediate, intermediate, and long-term complications. Immediate complications relate to any open surgery (bleeding, infections, etc.). Intermediate complications relate to any future pregnancy and childbirth (placenta previa). Long term complications may appear many years after any surgery and in the case of caesarean section may include adhesions in the abdomen that may lead to either infertility through blockage of the fallopian tubes or ileus (intestinal obstruction).
Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that a caesarean section is preferred in case of a laborious and complicated delivery. It is the responsibility of the obstetrician, where and when it is possible to prevent possible complications, whether these concern the mother or the fetus, to complete the delivery by caesarean section. Only in these cases is a caesarean section a safe option.
In all other cases where the birth could be completed naturally, proceeding with a caesarean section exposes the mother unnecessarily to additional surgery-related risks and complications.