This is PART 1 OF OUR SERIES ON C-Section Delivery. PART 2 can be found by Clicking Here – PART 2
WHAT IS A C-SECTION?
A C-section (Cesarean section) is the surgical procedure where a doctor makes an incision in the abdomen and uterus for delivery. It is also called as Cesarean delivery. It is a quite common but complicated process used these days which comes with many risks as well. In certain medical conditions, there is no other way than a C-section i.e. when vaginal delivery is risky because of some complication in your pregnancy. There are mainly two different types:
Planned C-section: When your doctor schedules your delivery through C-section by considering your medical condition i.e. you know it in advance, is called as planned C-section. In general, it is performed after the 39th week of your pregnancy. But in rare cases, it can be performed earlier if your medical condition demands. Some plan their C-section for non-medical reasons, which is called as elective C-section. But without any medical condition, it should be avoided because it comes with many risks as well.
Emergency C-section: At any time of the pregnancy, when your or your baby’s health is at risk due to some complications (either earlier or past your due date or through labor), then there is an immediate need of a C-section delivery, which is called as an emergency C-section. The whole procedure remains same as that of a planned C-section except urgency. It is unplanned but there is no way to control this, because it’s important to consider your and your baby’s health first.
MEDICAL REASONS FOR A C-SECTION TO BE PERFORMED
Well, there are various medical reasons i.e. complications in your pregnancy under which a vaginal delivery is not safe, so C-section has to be performed. Some of the most common medical reasons are as follows:
STALLED LABOR:
Stalled labor is when your labor isn’t progressing, also called as prolonged labor is one of the most common reason for a C-section. In this, your labor goes on for too long i.e. you feel strong contractions for several hours (may be due to less cervix dilation or baby’s head is too large to come out from vagina) and need a C-section to avoid further complications.
DIFFICULT POSITION:
Mostly, your baby automatically comes in head’s down position near your due date, as to prepare for delivery. But in some cases, the abnormal position of the baby in the womb (i.e. when the baby is in breech position or transverse position) makes it impossible for vaginal delivery, and hence you need a C-section to be performed to get delivery. By considering the health of your baby, a C-section is the safest option here.
FETAL DISTRESS:
Fetal distress is monitored by the doctor and when your baby shows signs of distress i.e. irregular heartbeat, which indicates your baby is not carrying sufficient oxygen. In such situations an emergency C-section is needed considering the health of your baby. The main causes of fetal distress are placental problem, umbilical cord issue, or due to your own health issues. Fetal distress may happen at any time during pregnancy but mostly happens during labor when you feel strong contractions.
PLACENTAL ISSUE:
When the placenta covers the cervix, that is called as placenta previa. When the placenta separates prematurely from the uterine wall which affects the oxygen supply to your baby, that is called as placenta abruption. These two are the more common placental issues in which a C-section is needed. In this, your doctor recommends a C-section as the best option by considering the health of your developing baby.
PROBLEM WITH UMBILICAL CORD:
In some cases, umbilical cord gets wrapped around your baby or enters the cervix before your baby does (called as cord prolapse), which puts pressure on the umbilical cord and reduces the oxygen supply to your baby. Then vaginal delivery gets risky for your baby’s health. And waiting for too long also gets risky for your baby especially in case of cord prolapse. It’s the rare case but still very risky, and needs an emergency C-section.
HEALTH ISSUES:
Sometimes, your certain chronic health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, gestational diabetes, etc. can create complications in your pregnancy and make vaginal delivery risky. So in these cases, a C-section is considered more safe for you. And if have any infection, HIV or genital herpes, then as well C-section is recommended by the doctors. Because in these cases, if you go for a vaginal delivery, it may cause the infection to your baby.
EXPECTING MORE THAN ONE:
The chances of a C-section are more if you carry twins, triplets, or more. Because it may cause prolonged labor or abnormal positioning of baby (or babies) and this gets risky through vaginal delivery. So, for that the doctor recommends for the C-section over vaginal delivery, as the safest option in case of multiple pregnancies.
BIRTH DEFECTS:
If your baby is diagnosed with some birth defects, then it may cause a complication during vaginal delivery and may put your baby’s health at risk. So avoid any further complications, C-section is more suggested by the doctors in these type of cases.
CPD:
Cephalopelvic Disproportion is the condition in which the baby’s head is too big to pass through the vagina. This condition makes vaginal delivery more risky and hence C-section is performed to be on the safest side.
REPEAT CESAREAN:
If your previous delivery was through a C-section, even then vaginal delivery is possible in your current pregnancy i.e. called as VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). But in certain situations, repeat Cesarean is considered more safe option, as recommended by your doctor.