By now you may know that I wanted to try a breech birth. This might seem like a scary option compared to the C-section alternative but both options have pros and cons.
Advantages Vaginal Breech Birth:
- Natural proces
- Short recovering period
- Boost for baby’s immune system because the bacterial in the birth canal
- High chance of success for breastfeeding
- Short stay in the hospital
- Next delivery will possibly be easier
- Fewer risks during the next pregnancy
- Strong feeling of power and confidence after birth
Disadvantages Vaginal Breech Birth:
- Death rate 0,04 per 1000
- Long painful procedure
- Higher chance of tearing and high blood loss
- High chance of damaging the pelvic floor with incontinence of stool and urine
- Higher chance that the baby might be injured (on its head or collarbone) because of the delivery-
- Higher chance of defects in baby’s hip development
- Earlier sensation to push Last part of the delivery is the most difficult as the head comes last.
Advantages C-Section:
Less damage of the pelvic floor
Often can be planed
Takes 30 minutes to an hour
A feeling of control over the birth proces
Disadvantages C-section:
Severe abdomen surgery
Long stay in the hospital
The scar tissue can cause internal organs to grow onto the abdominal wall
Death rate 0,53 per 1000
Chance of infertility
Increase chance of miscarriage with next pregnancy
Can affect bonding between mom and baby
Lower succes rate breastfeeding
Feeling of failure
If a breach birth is possible depends on a few factors like:
- How many kids you have
- Estimated birth weight
- Circumference of baby’s head
- Experience of your OBGYN
Eventhough it was my first, my baby was estimated to be 3kg/6,5lb and her head circumference was estimated lower than average. I was also not looking forward to having a C-section as it is a severe surgery in which lots of my friends suffered from long after the procedure. I wanted my baby to have the boost of its immune system through natural birth. My OBGYN left the decision up to me. She had experience with breech births which gave me confidence that I could at least try to do it.