Sub-navigation

• « Previous
• Back to features list »

Different types of births

Water births and caesarean sections are both methods that over the years have become seen as trendy ways of giving birth, and some celebrity couples, according to the press, view birthing as yet another lifestyle choice. Caesareans have been depicted as an easy option and water births as something new age or hippyish.

However, a water birth is quite practical when you consider that a baby in the womb is floating in water, so being delivered into water possibly creates less stress for the baby. Being in warm water is also more relaxing for mum, and the weightlessness experienced when in the water also helps to relax mothers when giving birth.

Caesareans are certainly not an easy option. The description of being ‘too posh to push’ used in the media is misleading, as the caesarean section option has its own particular risks and physical demands. According to the last perinatal statistics report, delivery by Caesarean Section now accounts for over one fifth of all births in Ireland.

Water births

• Giving birth in a pool currently remains the preserve of women who give birth at home, since no Irish maternity hospital currently has a birthing pool.
• Women who give birth in a pool do so because the water is considered to be a particularly relaxing medium for labour. This could be important when contractions are at their height, especially for women who desire the 'natural' experience of labour without drugs.
• Birthing pools are available for hire in Ireland and the Home Birth Association maintains a list of suppliers.
• Water births are very safe, and are always supervised by a midwife or doctor who’s been specially trained.
• Some women go through their whole labour and delivery in the pool.
• Others only use the water for the first stages of their labour as they find that the warm water helps to ease the pains.
• If you want to use warm water to help ease any pains, but don’t want a full water birth, you can opt to have either a long warm shower or a bath.
• Consult with your midwife before your labour starts to find out at which stages this soothing use of water will be safe.

Caesarean sections

Sometimes a conventional vaginal delivery is not possible for mother, baby or both. In these instances, a caesarean operation is performed.

Emergency caesareans

Emergency caesarean sections occur during labour, and will only happen when there’s a real problem with vaginal delivery.

Elective caesareans

When your operation is planned in advance, it’s called an elective caesarean section.

What will happen during the operation?

• Most caesarean sections are performed under a local anaesthetic.
• The anaesthetic used will be either an epidural or a spinal block which means you’ll be numb from the waist down but still awake throughout.
• Many hospitals will allow your partner or birth partner to be with you during a caesarean section being performed under regional anaesthesia.
• A screen will be put in place to prevent you from seeing what’s happening during the operation.
• If you want, the surgeon can talk you through what’s happening during the operation and then drop the screen for the actual delivery.
• An epidural is used for most emergency cases.
• In some circumstances, a general anaesthetic will be used for the procedure so you’ll be unconscious throughout which generally means your partner won’t be allowed in the operating theatre with you.

What’s the process of a caesarean section?

A caesarean section is a major surgical procedure, but one that’s carried out safely on thousands of women every year.

Various preparations for the operation will be made that are for your safety and comfort. A tube called a catheter will be put in to empty your bladder and an intravenous drip will be set up to easily give you liquids and medication during the operation. You’ll also be given antibiotics to prevent any problems with infection for you or the baby.

Although it may feel strange, you will be awake during the whole procedure, but you will be unable to feel it. The anaesthetist will make absolutely certain that you’ve lost all the feeling in your stomach before the operation starts.

The surgeon will set up a screen to prevent you from viewing the full operation, and will then make an incision horizontally just below or along the bikini line. The whole operation, which also involves removing the placenta, can take up to 60 minutes to perform. However, your baby is usually delivered within the first 5-10 minutes. The surgeon can lower the screen if you wish to view the actual birth of your baby.

What will happen in hospital after the operation?

You’ll probably need to stay in hospital for up to a week after a caesarean operation. You’ll probably also experience some discomfort, and will be prescribed painkillers. You’ll be given support stockings and possibly heparin injections to reduce the chances of blood clotting, known as thrombosis.

If you can, it’s important to start moving around as soon as you can after surgery to get your circulation moving. This helps your body to heal far more quickly. However, it’s normal to find even sitting or standing after the operation quite difficult. After four or five days, your stitches will be removed, and you will have a scar along your bikini line. Doctors are very aware of keeping the scarring as minimal as possible, and once the healing process is complete you’ll find it’s hardly noticeable.

What will things be like at home?

You’ll need to take it easy after you leave hospital. You should let someone else do any heavy lifting. If you feel up to it, you can drive four weeks after your operation. Do check the details in your insurance policy before you do so as many insurance companies suggest not to drive for up to six weeks after a caesarean, so you could be invalidating your cover.

Find a really comfortable position for feeding your newborn baby that won’t push on your healing scar and don’t start any postnatal exercises until four to six weeks after the baby is born. These exercises will get your muscles back in proper working order, but take it at a steady pace and don’t push yourself too hard.

How will a caesarean operation affect any future pregnancies?

Once you’ve had one baby by caesarean, you’ll need to consider carefully how your babies are delivered in any future pregnancies. Your doctor will advise you further in relation to this matter.

If you want a large family it may well be best to try for a vaginal delivery before an elective caesarean. Doctors will often advise against trying a vaginal delivery if you’ve had two caesareans. After three or four caesareans, a vaginal delivery is unadvisable as the risks become very high.

If you’ve had a caesarean previously you will be carefully monitored. You’ll be considered more suitable for a vaginal birth if your baby weighs less than 4.5kg/9lbs and presents head first. If you’ve had only one caesarean previously, you’ll also be considered more suitable.

It’s also important to see how your labour actually starts. If your labour is induced, vaginal delivery is still possible. However, if your labour is spontaneous, the chances of vaginal delivery rise significantly. You won’t know in advance what will happen, so your obstetrician will help you to decide whether you should go for an elective caesarean, or if you should try a vaginal delivery.

What are the advantages of a natural labour following a prior caesarean?

You will certainly recover more quickly from a vaginal delivery, which may help you bond better with your baby at the initial stages. In addition, you’ll also be able to have a vaginal delivery in the future.

Elective caesareans in healthy women are a reasonably safe procedure. Serious complications during surgery are rare. Having an elective caesarean section will also help you to avoid the over stretching of the pelvic tissue that sometimes may happen during vaginal delivery. The ongoing complications that this could cause include incontinence and a prolapse (or falling down) of the womb. After a vaginal delivery a small proportion of women suffer from incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises help to prevent incontinence.

You’ll find more information about preparing for the birth, in this PDF download »