Introduction
A surgery to deliver your child is known as a caesarean section (C-section). A doctor creates an incision across your belly and womb, just above the pubic area, and pulls your baby out through it.
If you are aware that you will need a C-section before giving birth, you may choose to undergo a planned (elective) C-section.
If an unanticipated (emergency) caesarean Section is necessary to deliver your child safely, you may have to undergo one.
If an unanticipated (emergency) caesarean section is necessary to deliver your child safely, you may have to undergo one. , one in four women who give birth have a caesarean section. The majority of them are unplanned C-sections.
What is a scheduled/Elective Caesarean Section?
Sometimes, having a C-section rather than a vaginal delivery may be safer for you and your child.
Major medical reasons for a Caesarean Section includes:
Your doctor or midwife could suggest a scheduled caesarean section , for instance, if there is –
Extended labor
Nearly one-third of cesareans are caused by prolonged labor, often known as “failure to progress” or “stalled labor,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Reliable Source. When a new mother spends at least 20 hours in labor, it occurs. Or, for mothers who have already given birth, 14 hours or longer.
Slow cervical thinning, carrying multiples, and having babies who are too big to get through the birth canal may all make labor last longer. Doctors could perform a cesarean in certain situations to prevent problems.
Abnormal position
Babies should be placed headfirst close to the birth canal in order to have a healthy vaginal delivery.
But infants sometimes rewrite the rules. They may come in breech position, with their feet or butt pointed toward the delivery canal, or transverse, with their shoulder or side facing forward.
In these circumstances, particularly for mothers bearing several infants, a cesarean section may be the safest delivery method.
Baby in distress
If your baby is not receiving enough oxygen, your doctor may decide to deliver through emergency cesarean.
Birth malformations
Doctors may choose to perform a cesarean delivery on newborns who have specific birth disorders, such as excess cerebral fluid or congenital heart problems, in order to lessen delivery difficulties.
Previous Caesarean Section
According to the American Pregnancy Association, almost 90% of women who have undergone a cesarean delivery may give birth naturally to their subsequent child. This is referred to as vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
To determine if a VBAC or repeat cesarean is the best and safest choice, expectant mothers should see their doctor.
Chronic illness
If a woman has a chronic illness like heart disease, high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes, she may give birth via cesarean section. If a mother has one of these disorders, vaginal birth might be risky.
If the expectant mother has HIV, genital herpes, or any other illness that might be passed to the baby during vaginal birth, doctors will also advise a cesarean section.
Prolapsed cord
A cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord passes through the cervix before labor and delivery. This might reduce the baby’s blood flow, endangering the baby’s health.
The uncommon yet dangerous condition of cord prolapse necessitates an urgent cesarean delivery.
Cephalo-Pelvic Disproportion (CPD)
A CPD occurs when a pregnant woman’s pelvis is insufficient for vaginal delivery or when the baby’s head is too big to fit through the birth canal. The infant cannot safely enter through the vagina in either scenario.
Placenta problems
When the cervix is partly or entirely covered by the low-lying placenta, doctors will perform a cesarean (placenta previa). When the placenta separates from the uterine lining and the infant begins to lose oxygen, a cesarean is also required (placenta abruption).
Every 200 pregnant women have placenta previa, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Placental abruption affects around 1% of pregnant women.
Carrying More Than One Baby
Having more than one baby during pregnancy carries a variety of dangers. It may result in a longer labor, which might disturb the mother. Also possible are aberrant positions for one or more of the infants. In any case, a cesarean section is often the safest delivery method.
Your doctor will discuss your choices if you have genital herpes or HIV. To lower the danger of transmitting the virus to the unborn child, some women may need a C-section.
You have the option to accept or decline a C-section if it is recommended for medical reasons. If you don’t want one, you are not required to have one. However, declining C-section when you should have one comes with a lot of risks to both the mother and the unborn baby. Delay in decision making on how a child should be born especially, in giving go ahead to a C-section has been known to contribute greatly to poor outcomes following C-section.
It is important for you to seek second or third opinions from qualified obstetricians when in doubt of C-section and this you must do early enough so as to not delay in giving consent to C-section a life saving situation.
Even if there is no medical need, you could still wish to undergo a c-section. Learn more about your birthing choices.
You will see an obstetrician if you choose to schedule a elective caesarean section . This doctor specializes in providing treatment for expectant mothers, laboring women, and new mothers. They will go through the advantages and disadvantages of a caesarean section as well as your alternative delivery choices. At your prenatal checkups, you will also see a midwife with whom you may go through your choices.
At 39 weeks of pregnancy, a scheduled caesarean section is often performed. The caesarean section should be performed in advance of labor. Babies that arrive before 39 weeks are more likely to need assistance with breathing. Sometimes the baby has to be delivered sooner than this for medical reasons. For instance, if you are expecting many children.
What exactly is an Emergency Caesarean Section n?
If your baby has to be delivered right away, you could require an unexpected emergency C-section. If your labor isn’t moving along or there are any worries about your or your baby’s health, this might happen.
Although it seems hurried when you use the term “emergency,” there is often time to consider if you want a C-section. Your alternatives will be explained by your doctor and midwife. You could require a C-section sooner if your health or the health of your child is in danger.
Common Untrue Beliefs About Caesarean Section:
None of the following is definitively shown to increase or decrease your likelihood of having a C-section:
- moving around during giving birth
- avoiding taking a bath during labor,
- drinking raspberry leaf tea,
- getting an epidural,
- having the midwife or doctor rupture your waters early.
It is important to know that every pregnancy is different, although a woman may have a particular pattern, it is not binding that each of her pregnancy and delivery must go as she has experienced before.
In Summary
Elective cesarean births are becoming more common. According to one research, 8% of moms wanted an elective cesarean birth. Despite being widespread, this practice has a risk of major consequences include blood loss, infection, blood clots, and unpleasant anesthetic responses. It’s crucial to keep in mind that a cesarean birth involves extensive abdominal surgery and often requires more healing time than a vaginal birth. You should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an elective cesarean birth with your doctor if you’re considering scheduling one.
Pregnant women should be ready in case a cesarean delivery is required since pregnancy and childbirth may sometimes be unanticipated. Being a mother is a wonderful and remarkable experience, therefore it’s better to be as ready as you can be for the unexpected.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/c-section-reasons#Takeaway-
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