Give birth naturally after cesarean

Caesarean delivery is a particular type of birth in which the birth of the child is induced or facilitated by a surgical operation that involves cutting the abdomen and uterus to bring the unborn child to light without it passing through the vaginal canal.

The reasons that determine the use of a caesarean section concern the health of the mother and the child: cesarean section is practiced in cases where a natural birth directly threatens the survival of the unborn child or of the pregnant woman, in cases of breech position of the fetus, to example, in very large children in women from the narrow pelvis, or in case of impossibility on the part of the mother to carry out the labor naturally.

Finally, cesarean delivery is often scheduled when the mother has already undergone this operation one or more times in the past, especially if the reasons that led to the caesarean section concern the impossibility of the mother to face a natural birth and a normal labor.

However, it is possible to resort to a natural birth even if it has already given birth by caesarean section . This can happen when certain situations occur, especially if the causes that led to a caesarean section do not recur and cannot be attributed to the anatomical conformation and physiological abilities of the mother or to the child's position.

Benefits of natural childbirth

Natural childbirth brings benefits for both the child and the mother : with a natural birth the mother-child bond is greatly strengthened by sharing this unique experience in life, and being the conscious mother during all phases of labor and birth, allow it to embrace its child immediately, and to welcome it into the world with this first and unavoidable contact.

From a physical point of view, natural childbirth enables the body to respond spontaneously to the needs of the specific situation, producing certain hormones in the mother and partly passing them on to the child.

Natural childbirth therefore has many advantages, and is desirable in most cases, even in women who have had a caesarean section.

Midwife and gynecologist can assess together with the mother which part to choose, in complete safety for themselves and for the child. In particular, the doctors will evaluate what type of operation has been performed and with what technique and cut, the type of post-operative course of the mother, and will monitor the uterine scar resulting from the caesarian cut.

The risk of tearing the uterine scar is in fact one of the main factors to be taken into consideration if a natural birth is desired after having already given birth by caesarean section . It is however a very rare event, albeit possible and, therefore, to be carefully evaluated.