One of the most common questions among pregnant women, especially first-time mothers, is about the length of hospital stay for each type of delivery. Many fear staying too long in the maternity hospital, while others simply have no idea how the recovery period works. The truth is, this length of stay will vary depending on the type of delivery and the condition of the woman and the baby. It is quite common for women to be discharged about 24 hours after delivery, both in vaginal births and in cesarean sections. However, each of these can bring complications that might require the woman to stay a bit longer in the maternity hospital. But to understand this, we need to know the differences between the two types of delivery.

Main Differences Between Vaginal and Cesarean Birth

The biggest differences are in the length of labor, pain, and recovery. Often, the type of delivery is chosen by the pregnant woman together with her obstetrician months before the baby’s birth, but circumstances can change this decision. It is important to emphasize that all of this can vary greatly, from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy—in other words, the same woman can have very different deliveries. Among the main differences between vaginal and cesarean birth, let’s talk about:

  • Women’s recovery
  • Pain after childbirth
  • Length of labor
  • Breastfeeding

Women’s Recovery

Women’s recovery after giving birth will vary widely depending on the type of delivery. Usually, in a vaginal delivery, women recover more easily and can return to normal activities soon, but this can vary depending on whether there was a perineal cut1, the one made between the vagina and the anus. In that case, recovery time is a bit longer and women need to take some extra care. In cesarean deliveries, women take longer to recover and usually need to stay in the hospital. This is mainly due to the incision in the abdomen, which takes longer to heal and can also cause women to feel more pain after childbirth. The stitches from the cesarean are usually removed after 10 days, so you need to wait this long before lifting weights or doing movements that strain the abdominal area.

Pain After Childbirth

Pain after childbirth is more commonly felt by women who had a cesarean, since they have to deal with a relatively large scar. However, women who had a vaginal birth with a perineal cut can also experience pain as this is a very sensitive area. In these cases, doctors may prescribe painkillers to relieve discomfort during the first days.

Length of Labor

The length of labor also changes according to the type of delivery. In vaginal births, labor is longer, and can last an entire day. This is because you need to wait for contractions and for cervical dilation to increase. Women who are giving birth for the first time and will have a vaginal delivery usually experience longer labor, but as we mentioned earlier, this is not a rule and can vary for each woman. Even with a vaginal delivery, it is common to receive anesthesia that can help with contractions and dilation. If there is no intervention during labor, such as anesthesia, induction, or cuts, the delivery is called natural and not vaginal. With a cesarean, labor is much shorter, around one hour. What can cause a cesarean to take longer are complications that may arise during the procedure. Because it is a surgery, the woman receives anesthesia. Most of the time it is spinal or epidural anesthesia2, which quickly makes the woman feel nothing from the waist down. The woman stays awake and feels no pain during the procedure.

Breastfeeding

According to WHO, the World Health Organization, the baby should be breastfed during the very first hour of life. However, in many cases this is only possible with natural delivery, where the first breastfeeding usually occurs within the first 5 hours of the baby’s life. In the case of women who had a cesarean, besides being more debilitated and still under the effects of anesthesia, milk can also take longer to come in. In these cases, babies will only be able to breastfeed later.

Reasons for Prolonged Hospital Stay

In cases of vaginal birth, it is common to see mothers leaving with their babies between 24 and 48 hours after birth. This happens when there were no complications during or after delivery, and when the baby has enough weight and both are in good health. In the case of mothers who had a cesarean delivery, it is necessary to stay at least 72 hours in the hospital, since they underwent a surgical procedure and need to be observed for some time, not to mention the pain that prevents the woman from leaving right after delivery. Therefore, what will determine the length of hospital stay for each type of delivery is precisely the type of delivery performed.

Monitoring in the Maternity Hospital

After delivery, it’s necessary to assess the condition and health of the mother and the baby. Monitoring in the maternity ward is important in the hours following birth to evaluate the woman’s recovery, especially in the case of cesarean birth where the mother underwent a more invasive procedure.

Which Type of Delivery to Choose?

In Brazil, more than 50% of deliveries are cesareans3, while the rate recommended by the WHO is a maximum of 15%. However, often the type of delivery is not just a matter of choice, but rather the one that presents the least risks for the baby’s birth. When the pregnancy is healthy, natural delivery is recommended, but when there has been any issue during pregnancy, cesarean is the best option. In most cases, women are able to have a natural delivery, but many end up preferring a shorter and less painful procedure, while others are induced by the medical team to opt for a cesarean delivery. The truth is, a cesarean should only be recommended in specific situations such as when the baby is over 4kg, when the cord is wrapped around the neck, in cases of placental abruption or low-lying placenta, when the baby is in a position that makes vaginal delivery difficult, or when the woman has diseases like diabetes and hypertension or had some problem during pregnancy. Often, the type of delivery that should be performed ends up being imposed on the woman, meaning she does not have the power to choose. Unfortunately, this happens in some cases due to complications or illnesses that put the baby or even the mother at risk. However, overall, the main questions about the time of delivery are quite common, and the length of hospital stay for each type of delivery is one of the most frequent. During pregnancy, the anxiety of wanting to know how everything will happen is also very common. But researching and knowing what possible complications may occur in each type of delivery is important for women to be better prepared for any eventuality. See Also: Pain in the Abdomen After Cesarean Photo: u_njsabyvh