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Planned caesarean section compared with planned vaginal birth for women with an uncomplicated pregnancy and no previous caesarean section

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Discuss mode of birth with all pregnant women early in their pregnancy. Cover information such as:

  • around 25% to 30% of women have a caesarean birth
  • factors that mean women may need a caesarean birth (for example, increased maternal age and BMI)
  • common indications for emergency caesarean birth include slow progression of labour or concern about fetal condition
  • planned place of birth may affect the mode of birth
  • what the caesarean birth procedure involves
  • how a caesarean birth may impact on the postnatal period (for example, need for pain relief)
  • implications for future pregnancies and birth after caesarean birth or vaginal birth (for example, after a caesarean birth the chances of caesarean birth in a future pregnancy may be increased).

Outcomes for women that may be more likely with caesarean birth in comparison to vaginal delivery

  • Peripartum hysterectomy
  • Maternal death
  • Length of hospital stay
  • Placenta accreta in future pregnancy
  • Uterine rupture in future pregnancy or birth

Outcomes for babies that may be more likely with caesarean birth in comparison to babies born by vaginal delivery

  • Neonatal mortality
  • Asthma
  • Childhood obesity

Outcomes for women that may be less likely with caesarean birth

  • Urinary incontinence occurring more than 1 year after birth
  • Faecal incontinence occurring more than 1 year after birth; compared to assisted vaginal birth
  • Vaginal tear
  • Perineal/abdominal pain during birth and 3 days after birth

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