THE pregnancy it is an extremely important period and dreamed of by a large number of women. There are nine months of anguish, doubts and also happiness and new discoveries. Pregnancy ends with childbirth, an extremely delicate moment characterized by the expulsion of the fetus and also the embryonic attachments.
Childbirth, as it is the most important moment of the entire pregnancy, must be preceded by a very thorough prenatal care. Knowing the baby's developmental conditions is essential to know how the birth can be conducted.
There are two main types of childbirth: o normal, in which we have the natural way of giving birth, and the cesarean, in which a cut is made in the abdomen to remove the baby. The first type, despite being the healthiest mode of delivery as it does not involve a surgical procedure, is not always the pregnant woman's first option. This is due to the main fact that, by scheduling the birth, doctors and mothers ensure greater comfort, in addition to avoiding the long hours of waiting for a normal birth.
However, despite seeming to be the most appropriate way to perform the delivery, scheduling a cesarean is discouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO), mainly because it often causes childbirth premature. It is estimated that 40% of all births in our country are cesarean. If we analyze only the particular network, the cesarean represents 80% of deliveries performed. It is important to highlight that the WHO recommends that cesarean delivery does not represent more than 15% of the forms of birth in a country.
According to the WHO, a cesarean is an emergency surgery and should be treated as such., being, therefore, unnecessary to perform this procedure when the pregnancy is not at risk or the woman does not present serious health problems. Several studies report that vaginal delivery is much safer than cesarean delivery, which has a relatively high number of maternal and child deaths. Among the main risks, we can mention infections, hemorrhages and complications resulting from anesthesia. In addition, children who are born through normal delivery tend to have fewer cases of respiratory, autoimmune and even obesity.
However, it is not always possible to perform a normal birth, at which time a surgical intervention is necessary. Among the main problems that may indicate a cesarean, we can highlight the baby “sitting”, placenta previa, uterine rupture and premature detachment of the placenta.
A model of childbirth that has been gaining strength around the world is the humanized. This type of delivery makes the moment of birth as welcoming as possible, allowing the woman to choose the position at the time of delivery and the people who will be with her at that time. In addition, the least possible medical intervention is prioritized. Through this way of giving birth, the mother's first contact with the newborn occurs more quickly.
In humanized childbirth, the presence of the doula is common, a person responsible for indicating ways to alleviate the pain and also ensure greater emotional support for the pregnant woman and the child's father. Although the presence of this person is very important for some pregnant women, not all maternity hospitals allow their entry.
Another important point about humanized childbirth concerns the presence of doctors. This measure is necessary, despite few interventions, to ensure a safe and uncomplicated birth for the mother.
Childbirth is a special moment in the life of a couple and, therefore, must be carried out respecting the needs and wishes of each individual. Listening to the mother at this time ensures that the experience is as traumatic as possible and that is why there is an increasing demand for humanized births.
With the texts below, you will learn a little more about births, when each type should be performed and why a cesarean is still indicated, despite its risks. You will also know the different birth positions and places that guarantee a less painful experience, such as the waterbirth case.
Good reading!
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos