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| Home > Complication & Medications > Cesarean Birth
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| | Cesarean Birth
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 Cesarean birth or c section is a comparatively safe surgical procedure where the baby is brought out through an incision in the uterine and abdominal walls. A cesarean section is recommended by the obstetrician, if there is any risk or complication with the mother or the baby, and sometimes it results in a big disappointment for a cou-ple that had been looking forward to a vaginal birth.
Your surgeon may recommend a cesarean birth for the following reasons:
Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD): A large baby or a small pelvic structure or a combi-nation of the two may result in a space problem called CPD.
Malpresentation: If the baby is in the transverse lie (lying horizontally) or in certain type of breech presentations like bottom or feet first.
Prolonged labor: When labor is prolonged due to contractions being of poor quality or if dilation and descent are not progressing in spite of stimulation of the uterus.
Fetal distress: When there is a change in the fetal heart rate signifying lack or oxygen supply to the baby.
Prolapsed cord: In this case the umbilical cord descends through the vagina before the baby resulting in drastic reduction in oxygen supply to the baby and will require immediate intervention.
Placenta previa: The placenta instead of confining itself to the uterus partially covers the cervix. When the cervix dilates the placenta separates from the uterus thus reducing the supply of oxygen from the mother to the fetus. It also results in painless bleeding in the mother.
Abruptio placenta: A premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall decreases the fetal oxygen supply causing fetal distress. This also causes vagi-nal bleeding or hidden bleeding of the mother with abdominal pain.
Maternal Diseases: Toxemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc, in the mother may make vaginal birth unsuitable. The baby or the mother may not be able stand the stress of labor and vaginal birth. Sexual diseases like herpes, genitalis also indicate C section to avoid the baby getting infected when passing through birth canal.
Repeat cesarean: If a mother has given birth previously through C section, the doctor may be concerned about a uterine rupture during the process of contraction and may recommend repeat C section. However, vaginal birth is always possible depending on the original cesa-rean, the mother`s condition, and the doctor`s confidence. If you have had a cesarean birth and plan to have more children, discuss the possibility of a vaginal birth with your doctor for your subsequent deliveries.
A C section will be performed only after you have gone into labor which indicates that the baby is mature. Alternatively, the doctor may consider your due date, the fetal maturity, the urgency due to medical complication and may perform C section without even waiting for labor. Fetal maturity tests are done to confirm the maturity of the baby.
Routine blood and urine tests are the preliminary tests you have to undergo, in case your doctor decides on a C section delivery. The anes-thesiologist will question you, and find out from you about your allergies or sensitivities to drugs while deciding on the type of anesthesia and pre operative medications he or she will use. The thought of surgery may make you feel nervous, jittery, and afraid. Slow breathing and relaxation techniques will help you to calm down. You may take part in the decision making process and assure yourself by questioning your doctors about the doubts and worries that may arise in your mind. Discuss your birth plan for cesarean birth and your partner`s role with your physi-cian, the nurses, and the anesthesiologist.
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