For first time moms and those who have never been close to a pregnant woman before, giving birth can be a source of anxiety. The closer the due date gets, the more worried you become about what type of birth is best. Some say that a natural birth is better, while others say that a C-section is more comfortable. So which birth method should you choose? Let’s discuss below!
WHICH IS BETTER: C-SECTION OR NATURAL BIRTH?
The best type of birth is the one where both mother and child are safe. So, whether it's a natural birth or a cesarean section, if it saves the lives of both mother and child, that's the ideal mode of delivery.
However, if there are no serious problems with the pregnancy or during labor, doctors will usually recommend natural birth, It allows the mom to recover quickly, and the baby is able to receive the rich and diverse microbiome present in the birth canal. However, if the doctor sees that natural birth is not good for the mom and the child, then they will recommend performing a c-section.1
HOW CAN C-SECTION KIDS GROW UP TO BE STRONG AND LESS SICKLY?
When a child is born via c-section, they miss out on the beneficial bacteria that is present in the mom’s birth canal which may lead to the CS-born kid having a less diverse gut microbiome. This, in turn, may lead to weakened immunity and gut health which can lead to different kinds of health issues as they grow up.
Good thing, there is now milk that is specially designed for CS-born kids aged 3+! Introducing NEW Enfagrow A+ CS-Biome 3+: Specially formulated with the C-Biome blend with MFGM and highest levels of DHA (among staged milks), an exclusive immune blend with 2x Higher 2’-FL HMO (vs Enfagrow A+ Nurapro 3+), and prebiotics to help give them stronger protection and optimal brain, immunity, and gut development for their A+ Future, with proper nutrition and stimulation.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF NATURAL BIRTH & C-SECTION
Natural birth and cesarean sections have some differences that must be considered as follows:
Advantages of natural birth1,2,3
- Moms can recover faster, and the recovery time is shorter.
- Naturally born children receive beneficial bacteria from the birth canal, which helps in the development of their immune system.
- The chance of complications during birth and future pregnancies are low.
- Lactation and breastfeeding can happen earlier and easier.
- Low risk of abdominal adhesions.
Disadvantages of natural birth1,2,3
- You have to wait for the delivery time and the exact date and time cannot be determined.
- Suffering from labor pains, nearing birth, and having to endure the pain continuously until the cervix is wide enough to begin labor.
- Mom has an increased chance of incontinence or prolapse.
- Pelvic laxity5: With each birth, the ligaments in the pelvic area become looser, and the more pregnancies you have, the looser it will become.
Advantages of Cesarean Section2,3
- You can set the date and time of birth. When the pregnancy reaches the appropriate term, the doctor can recommend the date for the c-section.
- Moms do not have to endure labor pains until their cervix is wide enough.
- Reduces the risk of pelvic organ sagging (prolapse) and incontinence because there is no need to push, so it does not cause any damage to the pelvic ligaments.
Disadvantages of Cesarean Section2,3,6
- It takes longer to recover after childbirth than natural birth.
- Having a c-section wound can be bothersome. Scars and keloid may reduce your self-confidence.
- There is a chance of losing a lot of blood and there is a risk of complications during birth.
- There may be side effects from anesthesia and injections if the mom is allergic to them.
- Moms who had a C-section are less likely to begin early breastfeeding, and the child may have trouble breastfeeding.
WHICH IS MORE PAINFUL: C-SECTIONS OR NATURAL BIRTH?
There is no type of birth that is completely painless. The pain level will depend on the individual pain tolerance of the mom.
- Natural birth will be painful near birth and during birth, but after birth, recovery will be faster, postpartum wounds will be less painful, and birth wounds will heal faster.
- Caesarean sections may have little to no pain before or near birth. However, after the cesarean section, you will still experience pain for a while. However, the wound will heal normally with proper care.
COST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN C-SECTIONS AND NATURAL BIRTH7
Whether giving birth at a public or private hospital, natural birth costs less than a cesarean section. Because in addition to the delivery fee for C-section, there are also costs for the anesthesiologist for anesthesia, as well as the cost of the surgery.
For , normal delivery costs around PhP 15,000 – PhP 20,000 on average, while c-sections can go up to PhP 25,000. Private hospitals, on the other hand, are more expensive because they often offer more personalized care and more comfortable accommodations. On average, normal delivery in private hospitals can range from PhP 40,000 – PhP 65,000 while c-sections can cost anywhere from PhP 80,000 to PhP 250,000. These costs can still vary depending on the kind of services and care that the mom receives during the entire process.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHILD BORN VIA C-SECTION AND NORMAL BIRTH?
Generally, children born naturally and children born by c-section can grow up to be healthy and strong. However, there may be some factors which will affect them differently: 
- Naturally born children have a lower risk of complications and receive a diverse array of beneficial bacteria from within the birth canal, so they have stronger immunity, are less likely to get sick, and are less likely to have allergies.4
- Children born by cesarean section can grow up to be healthy and strong. However, children born by c-section do not receive some of the beneficial bacteria from their mothers' vaginal areas leading to a less diverse gut microbiome. This may affect the development of their immunity and may result in them being more susceptible to illness.
References:
1. raisingchildren.net.au. Vaginal birth: a guide available at https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy/labour-birth/vaginal-caesarean… accessed on 07 March 2025
2. Cleveland Clinic. Pregnancy: Types of Delivery available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9675-pregnancy-types-of-… accessed on 07 March 2025
3. Nierenberg, C. & Wild, Sarah. Vaginal Birth vs. C-Section: Pros & cons available at https://www.livescience.com/45681-vaginal-birth-vs-c-section.html accessed on 07 March 2025
4. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Seeding. available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22096-vaginal-seeding accessed on 25 November 2024.
5. Davey, Lindsay. Vaginal Laxity and Childbirth: Is a “Loose Vagina”Common? Treatable? Available at https://torontophysiotherapy.ca/vaginal-laxity-and-childbirth-is-a-loos… accessed on 07 March 2025.
6. Cleveland Clinic. C-Section available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/7246-cesarean-birth-c-… accessed on 07 March 2025
7. Evangelista, Dara, Cost of Giving Birth in the Philippines, available at https://www.edamama.ph/discover/play-learn/cost-of-giving-birth-in-the-… accessed on 25 November 2024
