Reasons for a C-Section
There are essentially two varieties of C-section delivery, planned and emergency. Here I will write about reasons why either might take place.
First planned or as it is also know elective cesarean. There are many reasons for a planned or elective c-section, below are five of the most common.
• The baby is in a breech or transverse position, this is when the head is upwards, instead of downward near the cervix. When a baby is breech at around 38 weeks, and time for the baby has run out, the doctor will schedule the c-section, usually somewhere around 39-40 weeks.
• Multiple babies. Twins can prove difficult to deliver vaginally and in such cases a c-section is chosen. Any more than twins from Triplets onwards will almost always be delivered by cesarean.
• If you have delivered before by c-section (particularly a classical c-section) many doctors won’t allow you to deliver vaginally because the scar on the uterus from your earlier c-section may tear. This is called uterine rupture.
• Placenta prevail. This is when the placenta is at the bottom of the womb and covers all or part of the cervix, making a vaginal delivery dangerous.
• The mother or the baby has a health condition that may make the stress of the vaginal birth a risky option.
Emergency C-section happens when a woman has had no indication of needing surgical intervention for the delivery until a risk arises very late in the pregnancy or more often during labor (this is what happened to me). Here are common reasons why a woman might need an emergency C-section.
• The baby becomes distressed during labor. For example if the baby’s heart rate drops too low, or is too fast, an emergency C-section can be done to ensure the health of the baby. • If labor is either very hard or stops completely, many doctors will order an emergency C-section.
• If the mother has a genital herpes outbreak while in labor, a c-section is necessary because the infection can be deadly to the baby.
• In the event of a prolapsed cord (the umbilical cord coming out of the cervix), a C-section is performed immediately because the supply of oxygen to the baby can be cut off.
* The baby is just too big to deliver vaginally.
• Other health concerns that may warrant an emergency C-section are low amniotic fluid, placental abruption (Placenta abruption is, separation of the placenta from the site of uterine implantation, before delivery of the baby.), and meconium (faeces from the baby) in the amniotic fluid.
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