C-sections help avoid birth injury but may lessen mother-baby bonding
Doctors and midwives in the UK agree that caesarean sections should be avoided where possible, meaning that most will actively seek to discourage a mother-to-be from having an elective caesarean. However, in cases where a performing a caesarean will help reduce the risk of a birth injury, birthing professionals will generally have no qualms about performing an emergency C-section.
Another reason for a woman to avoid choosing an elective caesarean has emerged. A team of doctors from Yale University has found that women who give birth by natural vaginal delivery may bond better, and more immediately, with their newborns. Obviously, this study does not mean that C-sections should be avoided in cases where they will prevent birth injury, but it does provide another compelling reason for women to avoid an unnecessary caesarean.
Reported in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, the study used MRI scans to monitor the reactions of new mothers to the cries of children and found that mothers who had given birth by vaginal delivery exhibited a greater response to cries than those who had undergone a C-section. It is thought that this may be because oxytocin -dubbed the “love hormone” – is released as the baby passes through the birth canal, helping the mother forge an instant bond with the baby.
The study’s authors commented, "Our results support the theory that variations in delivery conditions, such as with caesarean section, which alters the neurohormonal experiences of childbirth, might decrease the responsiveness of the human maternal brain."
Belinda Phipps, of the National Childbirth Trust, welcomed the study but reminded women that a C-section is sometimes the best option. “This study provides an interesting link between the method of birth and the way a mother relates to her new baby. Women who have a caesarean section should be encouraged to cuddle their newborn against their skin straight after birth and be offered practical support to help them feed and care for their baby. A caesarean section is necessary in some conditions and can save lives. However, surgery can create more problems than it solves," she said.
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