Women run 5 to 7 times the risk of death with
cesarean section compared with vaginal birth.14, 29 Complications during and
after the surgery include surgical injury to the bladder, uterus and blood vessels (2 per 100), 30 hemorrhage (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion), 30 anesthesia accidents, blood clots in the legs (6 to 20 per 1000), 30 pulmonary embolism (1 to 2 per 1000), 30 paralyzed bowel (10 to 20 per 100 mild cases, 1 in 100 severe), 30 and infection (up to 50 times morecommon).1 One in ten women report difficulties with normal activities two months
after the birth, 23 and one in four report
pain at the incision site as a major problem.9 One in fourteen still report incisional
pain six months or more
after delivery.9 Twice as many women require rehospitalization as women having normal vaginal birth.18 Especially with unplanned
cesarean section, women are more likely to experience negative emotions, including lower self - esteem, a sense of failure, loss of control, and disappointment.