A cesarean section (C-section) is surgery to deliver a baby by cutting the mother’s abdomen and removing the baby. It’s commonly performed to reduce the risk of mothers and babies getting hurt during delivery. It’s not just for medical reasons – it can be done for cultural reasons, such as wanting a boy or girl.
Cesarean section rates are also higher in some countries than others. This article explains why it may be done and what the risks are if it is chosen.
What is a cesarean section?
A cesarean section (C-section) is surgery to deliver a baby by cutting the mother’s abdomen and removing the baby. It’s commonly performed to reduce the risk of mothers and babies getting hurt during delivery. It’s not just for medical reasons – it can be done for cultural reasons, such as wanting a boy or girl.
Cesarean section rates are also higher in some countries than others. This article explains why it may be done and what the risks are if it is chosen. C-sections are often done when a woman is 40 weeks pregnant or more. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be put to sleep—you won’t feel a thing.
You may be kept in the hospital for a few days to be monitored closely because of the risk of infection or blood clots in your uterus (pulmonary embolus). The surgery is considered very safe, but there are risks for both you and your baby. The C-section may be necessary if you or your baby is at risk of getting hurt during delivery, such as if you’re in early labor or you have an illness that puts you or your baby at risk.
Why might it be done?
Doctors may recommend a cesarean section when they think it’s safer for both you and your baby to have surgery without you getting your belly cut up.
The main reasons people have a cesarean section are if you have a medical condition that would put you or your baby at risk during a vaginal delivery, such as a large belly, inflammation of the uterus, placenta previa, or an illness that puts you or your baby at risks, such as diabetes or poor blood flow.
The Risks of a Cesarean Section
The main risk of a cesarean section is an infection in the incision. This is why most cesarean sections are done under general anesthesia, with you put under a muscle relaxant. If the incision is clean and the area around it is dry and cleaned thoroughly, you have a very low risk of getting an infection.
If the incision gets infected, it can spread quickly and cause serious problems, such as blood clots or a type of very serious tumor. You are also at a slightly higher risk of having a blood clot in your lungs (pulmonary embolus) if you have a cesarean section. Researchers don’t know why, but it’s thought to be related to changes in the blood clotting system caused by the surgery.
Doctors try to prevent this by watching women closely after a cesarean section and placing a device in their chest (a clotting monitor) to try to catch a clot as soon as it forms.
Cesarean Delivery Is Better Than vaginal delivery…
If the benefits of a cesarean section outweigh the risks, it is better to deliver the baby by cesarean section because it greatly reduces the risk of injury to the baby and the mother.
This is especially true with a large baby. However, many women and their doctors would rather have a vaginal delivery if they can safely have one. A cesarean section is almost always better than a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section.
…But Not Always
You might want to consider having a cesarean section if your baby is in a high-risk group, such as if your baby is already a little over 6 pounds or is expected to be born before 37 weeks, has an estimated birth weight of more than 5 pounds, or is 32 weeks or more into pregnancy.
If you’re at high risk for having a cesarean section, you and your doctor will have to weigh the risks of a vaginal delivery against the benefits of having your baby born by cesarean section.
Why Don’t Most Women Want a Cesarean Section?
Before a cesarean section can be done, doctors have to perform a vaginal delivery. Many women are surprised to learn that most doctors would rather perform a cesarean section if they don’t think they can safely deliver a baby vaginally. How many women ask their doctors if they can have a vaginal delivery? It’s important to talk to your doctor about what’s safest for you and your baby.
You should also talk to your friends and family about any concerns you have about your care. There are a few things you can do to make it easier for your doctor to deliver your baby vaginally:
- Exercise before pregnancy and don’t eat too much fat before your pregnancy.
- Have a urine test before you get pregnant and again before your 28th week of pregnancy to make sure you don’t have any health problems that might get in the way of vaginal delivery, such as high blood pressure or a kidney infection.
- Try to avoid fainting or vomiting when you feel your contractions begin. These can make it harder for you to have a vaginal delivery.
How Is a Cesarean Section Performed?
– A woman’s doctor will examine her and talk to her about her pregnancy and her health to decide if a cesarean section is necessary. – When your doctor thinks it’s best to have a cesarean section, your belly will be cut open and the doctor will deliver your baby by cutting the baby out of your uterus.
You may feel some pain, but it will be much less severe than labor. Your doctor will give you medicine to help you relax so you don’t feel any pain. – You may be able to go home the same day you have a cesarean section, but you need to be watched closely in the hospital for a few days.
Conclusion
If a cesarean section is chosen, it’s important to know the risks and be prepared. Make sure you know when your cesarean section is scheduled so you can be ready and understand what to expect. If you have questions, ask your doctor or nurse. If you need help planning for your cesarean section, talk to your doctor or a nurse at the hospital.
Make sure you are given enough information so you can make a fully informed decision and be prepared for what is ahead. Before you go home, make sure you understand what is expected of you while you recover and how you’re going to be cared for when you’re in the hospital.
