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Is a caesarean safer than a normal delivery?

Dr B Shakuntala Baliga MD (AIIMS), FICOG
Professor and Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Colposcopist
Mazumdar-Shaw Center for Cancer Research & Narayana Hrudayalaya Multispecialty Hospital, Bangalore

Q: It is said that a normal delivery creates more weakness in women than in caesarean delivery? What is the difference between them? Which one gives more problems to the mother and of what types?

A:You have a misconception regarding normal delivery. This is definitely better in terms of safety and long term complications of delivery, for both the mother and the baby. However, I emphasize that when we are comparing the 2 methods of delivery, we are assuming that the indications for caesarean delivery (CS) are not ignored. If there is an indication for CS, a correctly timed caesarean delivery is safer to both mother and baby than an attempt at normal delivery, which can turn out to be hazardous and with a poor outcome for both mother and child. This is also the case if the woman is taken for a CS at a late stage.