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For moms who will give birth via cesarean section, it's advisable to prepare well. Preparation for a cesarean section can be done starting from checking the equipment and postpartum needs for mom to the needs of the baby after the delivery process is completed. Additionally, moms should have insight into the procedure of a cesarean section. Often, various myths surrounding cesarean births are still commonly heard and cannot be proven true. Instead of increasing knowledge, these myths can make moms even more anxious when hearing them. Stay calm, moms, don't swallow myths blindly. It's better to seek evidence from competent sources in the field. Below, we will explain one by one the myths and facts about cesarean sections that we often hear, along with their scientific explanations!
This myth is not accurate. If there are no health problems, either for the mother or the baby, moms can still have a normal delivery after a cesarean section. However, there are several factors to consider, such as the spacing between pregnancies, reasons for the previous cesarean operation, the condition of the baby and the mother, as well as the mother's health history.
This assumption is certainly not entirely accurate because during a cesarean section birth, there are options for anesthesia methods to be used. If a general anesthetic is used, breastfeeding might only be possible once the mother is fully conscious. However, this does not mean that moms cannot breastfeed, right?
Moreover, most cesarean sections usually use partial anesthesia or epidural anesthesia, which only numbs the area below the waist. Epidural anesthesia allows babies born via cesarean section to be placed on the mother's chest for early breastfeeding initiation (EBI), similar to a normal birth.
EBI performed during a cesarean section is slightly different from a normal delivery. During a normal birth, the baby is placed on the mother's abdomen. Whereas during a cesarean section, the baby is placed on the mother's chest. Having a cesarean section should not inhibit breast milk production. However, if breast milk production is still difficult, moms can use a breast pump.
This cesarean birth myth is certainly untrue because both normal and cesarean births both involve feeling pain. The difference is that the pain of a normal birth occurs during the childbirth process, whereas the pain of a cesarean birth is felt after the childbirth process or after the anesthesia wears off. In fact, mothers who give birth via cesarean section may experience pain for a longer period. Moms who give birth via normal or cesarean sections still experience postpartum recovery and have the risk of experiencing baby blues syndrome, postpartum depression, and infections. So, there's not much difference, right, moms?
This belief is not entirely wrong. Babies born via cesarean section are indeed at a higher risk of respiratory problems, especially if the delivery process is done before 39 weeks of gestation. This is because the maturation process of the lungs and the process of normal delivery can help babies expel fluid from their lungs.
However, a baby's health does not solely depend on the choice of delivery method, as there are many other factors that also influence it, ranging from breastfeeding, immunization, to the baby's future lifestyle and habits.
How do you feel after reading the explanations above? Starting from now, don't immediately believe cesarean birth myths, moms. Both normal and cesarean births have their own advantages. If you're still unsure and confused, consult with your doctor to determine the best delivery process for you and your little one. Also, check out the comprehensive review of cesarean myths by the IIK Bhakta Midwifery lecturer through the IIK Bhakta official YouTube account.
by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVKzUnegoQg
