Cesarean section, more commonly called a C-section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through an abdominal incision. While a C-section is an extremely safe surgical procedure, it's still major surgery, and complications can occur. A C-section delivery has more potential side effects and complications than vaginal delivery.
Maternal Complications
Mothers who undergo C-sections have an increased risk of bleeding during delivery, which leads to increased blood transfusions. There's also a chance of developing an infection, as there is with any major surgery. Damage can be done to nearby organs during surgery; the bladder or intestines can be nicked and need repair. Damage to the urinary tract or infection from the foley catheter used to keep the bladder empty during the surgery can also occur.
If general anesthesia is used for surgery, a sore throat and nausea and vomiting are common in recovery. General anesthesia can also cause rare but serious allergic reactions. Spinal or epidural anesthesia may cause damage to the spinal nerves. Surgery slows down gastrointestinal activity, which can lead to constipation and abdominal discomfort. Kidney failure, respiratory problems and shock are all more common in C-sections than vaginal deliveries.
Pain is a side effect of any major surgery. Decreased mobility from pain can lead to blood clots in the legs that can break loose and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). This is a serious complication and is four times more common after C-section deliveries than after vaginal deliveries. Pain can also lead to problems with breastfeeding, due to positioning issues, and can interfere with bonding with the newborn.
Newborn Side Effects
Babies born via C-section have more problems after delivery than babies delivered vaginally. Because fluid isn't squeezed out of the babies' lungs during C-section deliveries like it is during vaginal deliveries, babies may have transient breathing problems, or respiratory distress. They may require oxygen therapy for a short time. Babies can also be nicked or cut during C-section deliveries. If a C-section is scheduled, it's very important to wait until the pregnancy reaches 39 weeks. Babies delivered via C-sections before 39 weeks have significantly higher rates of respiratory distress, according to a 2009 study reported in the "New England Journal of Medicine."
Long-Term Effects
C-sections, like other major surgeries, can have long-term effects. Scar tissue formation, or adhesions, around the surgical incision can complicate future C-section deliveries. Complications such as placenta accreta, where the placenta grows into the uterus and doesn't detach after delivery, necessitating an emergency hysterectomy, are more common after C-sections.
