Are C-Sections Less Traumatic than Traditional Birth?

Last year, around one third of all live births in Massachusetts were caesarean deliveries. According to the World Health Organization, the rate of c-section should be between 10%-15%. The birth experience, however it occurs, can set the stage for a child’s development and wellness in the first years of life. People often ask if a c-section is less traumatic to the spine than a vaginal birth. Birth trauma can and does occur in any type of birth, but current research suggests that c-section may create more problems than a vaginal delivery. So how can we better support infants after c-sections?
 
As pediatric chiropractors, there are a few things we look for and consider based on the birth experience. Primarily, the pulling force put on a baby’s head, neck, and spine during the procedure has been found to be significantly higher than the force used in a traditional birth. The reason this is not as common in a natural birth is because the birth canal is constantly contracting and relaxing to help the baby navigate its entrance into the world. When a doctor assists in this process, the force put on the infant’s neck is clinically significant and can set the stage for reduced well-being. The forced used during a “traditional birth” is significantly less compared to a c-section birth.
 
Misalignments of the spine with related nervous system involvement impact the health and wellbeing of a newborn. While there may or may not be visible symptoms, the damage to the spine creates a less healthy body. Gentle, specific adjustments, which use about the same amount of pressure that it takes to check a tomato for ripeness, can help to address the misalignments created during the birth process. Many parents have noticed improvements with things like colic, torticollis, latching, feeding issues once their infants are under regular chiropractic care.
 
In addition to the spinal concerns, we also must consider the cranial imbalances that can result from the lack of cranial molding in a caesarean birth. In this process, which occurs during birth, the cranial bones naturally overlap with each other as the infant moves through the birth canal to create cranial “alignment” or modeling. When this process does not occur during birth, it can cause distortions in the shape of the infant’s skull. All of the doctors at Westwood Family Chiropractic have extensive training in pediatric and infant cranial analysis and adjusting to help support the cranial modeling process.
 
Regardless of the birth experience, we are always striving to improve how we support parents and infants at the start of their life together. The doctors at Westwood Family Chiropractic have extensive training in caring for children of all ages. No matter the birth story, whether you’re concerned about a specific aspect of your child, or just hoping to optimize their wellness, WFC can help you on your path. The best time to get adjusted is at birth, the second-best time is now.