Ailing is due to give birth this month. Hearing that many opt for the "convenient and painless" cesarean section, she's tempted to avoid the discomfort of vaginal delivery. Statistics show that in some major Chinese cities, the cesarean rate has reached 70% to 80%. However, the World Health Organization recommends keeping cesarean rates below 15%; in Japan, the rate is under 10%.
Guo Huiping, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at PLA 157th Hospital, attributes the persistently high C-section rates to multiple factors: On one hand, the traditional belief that "a well-fed baby is easier to raise" leads some pregnant women to overconsume nutrients during pregnancy, resulting in oversized and overweight fetuses. On the other hand, some expectant mothers fear the pain of natural childbirth and worry about the possibility of needing a C-section if vaginal delivery fails, so they opt for a C-section outright.Additionally, this trend is linked to certain hospitals prioritizing economic gains and worrying about the increased disputes and pressure associated with vaginal deliveries. Although cesarean section techniques are now highly developed and relatively safe, several significant negative factors remain compared to natural vaginal delivery.
Medical Guidance/Guo Huiping, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PLA 157th Hospital
>Cesarean Section Should Be Decided Resolutely for Malpresentation
Dr. Guo Huiping clarified that listing cesarean complications does not mean the procedure should be avoided. "When indicated, a cesarean should be performed. Specific indications exist, such as multiple pregnancies, macrosomia, or malpresentation—conditions that may lead to difficult vaginal delivery. In such cases, a cesarean should be decided upon resolutely."
Guo compared the medical costs of cesarean sections versus vaginal deliveries: In Guangzhou, the former costs approximately 5,000 yuan, while the latter ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 yuan—a difference of about half.Opting for natural vaginal delivery not only halves hospital revenue but also imposes greater responsibility on physicians. They must assign dedicated nurses to monitor the entire labor process. Given today's strained doctor-patient relationships, the pressure doctors face when advising women to "give birth naturally" is considerable. "In this social context, the attitudes of expectant mothers and their families are crucial. Choosing a cesarean section requires a thorough understanding of the benefits and drawbacks to ensure responsibility for both mother and child."
Concerning Maternal Life and Quality of Life
Guo Huiping, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at PLA 157th Hospital, points out that in countries like the US and Europe, it is difficult for expectant mothers and their families to persuade obstetricians to perform a cesarean section without sufficient justification. According to UK data from 2000, the mortality rate for cesarean sections is three times that of vaginal deliveries.
Sin #1: Uterine Bleeding
Cesarean sections increase the incidence of uterine atony, leading to heightened postoperative bleeding risks.
Sin #2: Infection and Adhesions
Surgery heightens infection susceptibility, with surgical site infections, endometritis, and urinary tract infections being the three most common postoperative complications.Due to the physical trauma of surgery, postoperative pelvic adhesions are common, potentially leading to reduced intestinal motility or even obstruction.
Third Sin: Vaginal Atrophy Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy is more severe in women who had cesareans compared to those who delivered vaginally, affecting sexual function. In developed countries where sexual health in middle age and beyond is valued, women often avoid cesareans during their younger years.
Fourth Sin: Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Amniotic fluid may enter the bloodstream during surgery, triggering severe allergic reactions and embolisms—a highly dangerous complication. While modern C-sections minimize this risk by draining fluid while compressing blood vessels, the severe consequences of amniotic fluid embolism demand constant vigilance from obstetricians.
Sin #5: Anesthesia Complications
Cesarean sections require anesthesia, which carries inherent risks. Additionally, the procedure may damage nerves, causing persistent "dull pain" post-surgery. It can also injure the mother's bladder, ureter, or intestines. In rare cases, an incisional hernia may occur, where internal organs like intestines protrude through the surgical incision.
Impact on Infant Health
Guo Huiping noted that African women believe "women who choose cesarean sections are not true women," as they perceive such women as prioritizing their own comfort over the well-being of their newborns.
Sin #6:Amniotic Fluid Aspiration
Guo Huiping explained that while fetuses naturally swallow amniotic fluid in utero, their anti-reflux mechanisms remain underdeveloped. During cesarean delivery, the absence of birth canal compression prevents the expulsion of amniotic fluid from the upper digestive tract. Within 3-5 minutes after extraction, approximately 0.7% of infants aspirate amniotic fluid into their lungs, leading to severe pneumonia or even asphyxia.Although measures like the "hand-support method" can mitigate this complication, the risk cannot be entirely eliminated.
Sin #7: Impaired Emotional Intelligence
Guo Huiping noted that in neonatal neurobehavioral assessments, cesarean-delivered infants scored lower than vaginally delivered infants at both 7 and 14 days postnatal.Long-term studies abroad confirm that cesarean infants exhibit lower emotional intelligence (EQ). This may stem from their lack of exposure to the compression and stimulation of the brain's temporal lobe during vaginal birth—a region critical for emotional regulation. Guo noted that cesarean infants often demonstrate weaker interpersonal communication skills and are more prone to autism in early childhood. Many emotional and suicidal issues among college students today may be linked to cesarean delivery.Additionally, surgical instruments and procedures during cesarean sections can cause skin lacerations and fractures in infants. Furthermore, surgically induced delivery dates calculated artificially may not align with actual gestational age, potentially resulting in premature births.