Canada is becoming known for our great studies on childbirth.
This really should not need to be news. Vaginal birth should always be considered the safest mode of delivery unless there is clear evidence suggesting otherwise.
When we assume that an intervention is best for everyone in a given situation we are likely wrong. As we are also likely wrong, if we assume that letting nature take its course will work out for everyone. Interventions are necessary for the few people who actually need them for survival, not to be used as a standard of care. Beyond true need for interventions to save lives, we should always take the most conservative route which would be a natural, vaginal birth.
Read the news report here: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/c-sections-not-better-for-twin-births-canadian-study-says-1.1160754
The conclusions saying that the risks are the same are misleading. This is looking only at the risk of immediate problems for the baby. Actually the risks are greater for c-section for both mom and baby. The article goes on to say that there is increased risk in the c-section group of infection for mom and asthma and diabetes for baby. There are actually many, many more risks of c-section for mom. Increased chance of postpartum depression, increased risk of breastfeedng difficulties, risk in future pregnancies of placenta accreta, placenta previa, death of the next baby, and ruptured uterus. The difficulty caring for two babies while recovering from major abdominal surgery. Surgical adhesions which can threaten a woman’s life. Baby not being colonized with the appropriate gut bacteria and exposure to antibiotics which interfere with normal immune system development for baby. The lists go on.
It is a BIG DEAL to choose a c-section and should ONLY be done when the benefits clearly outweigh the immediate and long term risks. Most women are mislead and misinformed when making this choice because they are only told the short term benefits to their baby and are not given a clear picture of all the short and long term risks to both parties.
The conclusion of the study should read that it is SAFER for twins to be born vaginally.
Those of us who understand birth already knew this but at least now women have something to take to their OBs when they say they have no choice but a c-section for twins.
Thank you to the researchers for doing this study.
Nancy, do you have a link to the original study? I don’t seem to be able to find it in the CTV article.