You should talk to your doctor about his philosophy on C-sections, and make sure it matches yours. Some physicians are more likely to recommend C-sections than others, or have varying definitions of what's really medically necessary.
And if your doctor says you need a C-section, don't hesitate to ask why. In certain cases like if your baby is large you may be allowed to try a vaginal birth first to see if surgery can be avoided, but you'll only be offered this opportunity if your doctor considers it safe for both you and your baby.
Reasons for a C-Section: Planned and Emergency. By Stacey Stapleton and Dr. Laura Riley Updated September 11, Save Pin FB More. C-section rates at hospitals. Your baby's head is too big to fit through your pelvis; this is called cephalopelvic disproportion.
Baby is in distress because the doctors finds an issue with his heartbeat. The baby's oxygen supply has been disrupted by a prolapsed umbilical cord —a condition in which the cord slips down through the cervix ahead of the baby and becomes compressed.
The placenta starts to separate from the wall of your uterus placental abruption , which can cause heavy bleeding and complications for your baby.
A previous C-section scar rips open uterine rupture. Your baby has breech presentation. If your baby is positioned feet or buttocks first instead of head first and your doctor can't turn him around, a C-section is usually the safest way to deliver.
You've had a cesarean before. Not all doctors and hospitals perform vaginal births after cesarean VBAC. This uterine rupture may cause extreme bleeding or hemorrhaging, and it threatens the baby and the mother. Many insurance providers refuse to cover VBACs, or they make the procedure very expensive. You have placenta previa. If your placenta lies at the bottom of your uterus instead of at the side or top , it can block your baby's exit from your womb or cause heavy bleeding during delivery.
The mother experiences health issues such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes that may spark pregnancy complications. The mother has a sexually transmitted disease , like active genital herpes or HIV, that could pass to the baby during vaginal delivery. After anesthesia is given, the doctor makes an incision on the skin of the abdomen — usually horizontally 1—2 inches above the pubic hairline, sometimes called "the bikini cut". The doctor then gently parts the abdominal muscles to get to the uterus, where he or she will make another incision in the uterus itself.
This incision can be vertical or horizontal. Doctors usually use a horizontal incision in the uterus, also called transverse, which heals better and makes a VBAC much more possible. After the uterine incision is made, the baby is gently pulled out. The doctor suctions the baby's mouth and nose, then clamps and cuts the umbilical cord. As with a vaginal birth, you should be able to see your baby right away. Then, the little one is handed over to the nurse or doctor who will be taking care of your newborn for a few minutes or longer, if there are concerns.
The obstetrician then removes the placenta from the uterus, closes the uterus with dissolvable stitches, and closes the abdominal incision with stitches or surgical staples that are usually removed, painlessly, a few days later.
You may need help holding the baby on the breast if you have to stay lying down flat. You won't feel any pain during the C-section, although you may feel sensations like pulling and pressure. That way, they are awake to see and hear their baby being born.
A curtain will be over your abdomen during the surgery, but you may be able to take a peek as your baby is being delivered from your belly. Sometimes, a woman who needs an emergency C-section might require general anesthesia, so she'll be unconscious or "asleep" during the delivery and won't remember anything or feel any pain.
C-sections today are, in general, safe for both mother and baby. However, there are risks with any kind of surgery. Potential C-section risks include:. Some of the regional anesthetic used during a C-section does reach the baby, but it's much less than what the newborn would get if the mother had general anesthesia which sedates the baby as well as the mother.
Babies born by C-section sometimes have breathing problems transient tachypnea of the newborn because labor hasn't jump-started the clearance of fluid from their lungs. This usually gets better on its own within the first day or two of life. Having a C-section may — or may not — affect future pregnancies and deliveries.
Many women can have a successful and safe vaginal birth after cesarean. But in some cases, future births may have to be C-sections, especially if the incision on the uterus was vertical rather than horizontal. A C-section can also put a woman at increased risk of possible problems with the placenta in future pregnancies.
In the case of emergency C-sections, the benefits usually far outweigh the risks. A C-section could be lifesaving. If your C-section is scheduled in advance, your health care provider might suggest talking with an anesthesiologist about any possible medical conditions that would increase your risk of anesthesia complications.
Your health care provider might also recommend certain blood tests before your C-section. These tests will provide information about your blood type and your level of hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells. These details will be helpful to your health care team in the unlikely event that you need a blood transfusion during the C-section. Even if you're planning a vaginal birth, it's important to prepare for the unexpected.
Discuss the possibility of a C-section with your health care provider well before your due date. Ask questions, share your concerns and review the circumstances that might make a C-section the best option.
In an emergency, your health care provider might not have time to explain the procedure or answer your questions in detail. After a C-section, you'll need time to rest and recover. Consider recruiting help ahead of time for the weeks after the birth of your baby.
If you don't plan to deliver any more children, you might talk to your health care provider about long-acting reversible birth control or permanent birth control. A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. The abdominal incision is made first. It's either a vertical incision between your navel and pubic hair left or, more commonly, a horizontal incision lower on your abdomen right.
After the abdominal incision, the doctor will make an incision in your uterus. Low transverse incisions are the most common top left. While the process can vary, depending on why the procedure is being done, most C-sections involve these steps:. After a C-section, you'll probably stay in the hospital for a few days.
Your health care provider will discuss pain relief options with you. Once the effects of your anesthesia begin to fade, you'll be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and walk. This helps prevent constipation and deep vein thrombosis. Your health care team will monitor your incision for signs of infection.
If you had a bladder catheter, it will likely be removed as soon as possible. You will be able to start breast-feeding as soon as you feel up to it. Ask your nurse or a lactation consultant to teach you how to position yourself and support your baby so that you're comfortable. Your health care team will select medications for your post-surgical pain with breast-feeding in mind. Before you leave the hospital, talk with your health care provider about any preventive care you might need.
Making sure your vaccinations are current can help protect your health and your baby's health. You might also consider not driving until you are able to comfortably apply brakes and twist to check blind spots without the help of pain medication.
This might take one to two weeks.
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