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Elective Cesarean Section for the Prevention of Pain during Labor and Delivery: Is it based on Evidence?
Abstract
Background:
Avoiding pain during labor and childbirth is one of the principal reasons given by women for requesting a Cesarean section; however, surgical delivery is, in itself, a cause of pain.
Objective:
To compare the pain suffered during labor and vaginal delivery with the pain suffered after a cesarean section with respected to time.
Methods:
Review of the literature for articles evaluating pain after vaginal delivery and after cesarean section.
Results:
Pain after cesarean section may be less severe than during vaginal delivery but last far longer, sometimes for up to a year, interfering with daily life.
Conclusion:
To select elective cesarean section instead of spontaneous vaginal birth to prevent pain is not justified because the pain suffered after cesarean section is long-lasting than pain after vaginal birth for women who had both experiences.
