Doctors Warn Against Repeat C-Sections
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- For women about to go into labor on this Labor Day, some doctors want to remind moms about the benefits of vaginal births over C-sections.
Andrea Fujii explains why some experts say they may be safer.
They are healthy sisters born in different ways. Four-year-old Emerson was delivered by emergency C-section, while 1-year-old Penelope was delivered through vaginal birth at St. Joseph Medical Center.
"I definitely wanted a chance at giving birth to my second baby," said Elizabeth Smith, mother.
Many doctors applaud that idea.
"You don't have to have a second C-section if you've had one C-section," said Dr. Judith Rossiter, St. Joseph OBGYN.
A recent study found one in three Maryland women choose C-sections, and more are opting for them again with their second child. But doctors warn against that.
"The risk of infection, blood loss, the need for a blood transfusion, the need for a hysterectomy," said Rossiter.
After having 1-month-old Devyn vaginally, Carol Parreco says a shorter recovery time was just one benefit of a vaginal birth, compared to her C-section with 2-year-old Olivia.
"The best part for me is when she was delivered, I held her. She came straight to me," said Parreco.
The average cost of a vaginal birth is about $2,000 less than a C-section.
Sometimes Cesarian births are necessary, but some doctors and mothers say if there's a choice, opt for a vaginal birth for the physical and emotional benefits.
"It was beautiful. It really was. Just to be able to feel everything and be awake," said Smith.
Doctors also say there's a much smaller risk of a prior C-section scar re-opening with a vaginal birth compared to a second Cesarian.
The study was conducted by the National Institutes of Health.
