If the first child was delivered by caesarean section, can the second child be delivered naturally? Under what circumstances is a caesarean section necessary?

After experiencing the pain of a cesarean section for the first child, many people do not want to have another wound on their stomach, so they want to have a natural birth for the second child. So, if the first child was delivered by cesarean section, can the second child be delivered naturally? Under what circumstances is a cesarean section necessary?

Can I have a cesarean section for my first child and a natural birth for my second child?

Generally speaking, if the first baby was delivered by cesarean section, there is a chance that the second baby can be delivered naturally. If the expectant mother does not have the indications of the last cesarean section, such as fetal distress, uterine atony, malposition of the fetus, etc., then the second baby can be delivered naturally.

However, some doctors believe that if the first child is delivered by caesarean section, the uterus will be scarred and the muscle fibers will be damaged, which will significantly reduce the uterus's tolerance to tension. Then the risk of a natural birth for the second child is very high. It is likely to cause uterine rupture or heavy bleeding, endangering the lives of mother and child. Therefore, it is not recommended to deliver the second child naturally.

What is certain is that if the first child is delivered by caesarean section, no matter how long the interval is, there will be certain risks if the second child is delivered naturally. In fact, no matter which delivery method is used, there are pros and cons. Expectant mothers should keep a calm mind and determine the delivery method according to the development of the fetus, and don't worry too much.

When is a caesarean section necessary?

From a medical point of view, caesarean section is not recommended if conditions permit natural delivery, but caesarean section is necessary in the following cases, otherwise both mother and child may die.

1. If you have given birth before and the incision on the uterus was a vertical incision, you should also have a cesarean section this time. If the last time you gave birth, you had a cesarean section and the incision on the uterus was a horizontal incision, the specific method of delivery should be based on your own situation, and natural delivery is also possible. However, it should be noted that if you have had multiple cesarean sections before, it is better to have a cesarean section this time.

2. If the uterus has undergone surgery before and was damaged during the surgery.

3. If you are pregnant with multiple babies, it is best to have a caesarean section.

4. If the baby is too big (over 4.25 kg), especially if the expectant mother has gestational diabetes.

5. If the baby was very large when the previous one was born, there would be serious injuries during normal delivery.

6. If the baby is in breech or transverse position, it is best to use cesarean section. However, this is not necessarily the case. If it is a pair of twins, the first baby is in the head position and the second is in the breech position, the baby in the breech position can also be delivered naturally.

7. If you have placenta previa, the placenta is covering the cervix.

8. If there is a physical problem with the fetus, natural delivery will affect the child.

9. If the expectant mother is HIV positive, and a blood test in the late pregnancy shows that the viral load in her body is high.

In fact, if you choose a natural birth at the beginning, if you encounter problems during the natural birth, it can also turn into a cesarean section. For example, the cervix stops dilating, the fetus stops descending in the birth canal, the fetal heart rate is abnormal, the umbilical cord prolapses, and the placental abruption.

Potential dangers of cesarean section

1. After all, cesarean section is an operation. Generally speaking, the amount of bleeding during cesarean section is 1 times that of natural vaginal delivery, and the accidental death of mothers is also more than that of normal vaginal delivery.

2. Cesarean section can easily cause wound infection, amniotic fluid embolism during surgery, uterine injury and resection, etc.

3. After cesarean section, the mother recovers more slowly and is prone to symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain caused by adhesions of tissues in the pelvic cavity.

4. Caesarean section will leave scars on the uterus, which will bring many risks to future delivery or abortion.

5. Newborns delivered by caesarean section often have fluid retention in the respiratory tract, making them prone to respiratory complications such as suffocation, wet lung, and atelectasis.

6. Psychologists have found that babies born by caesarean section, because they do not go through the squeezing of the birth canal and lack the necessary tactile and proprioceptive learning, are prone to emotional instability, inattention, uncoordinated movements and other problems.