If you or your baby is in imminent danger, you'll have an emergency c-section. C-section rates began rising significantly in the mids. Doctors are trying to reduce the use of unnecessary c-sections, but sometimes a cesarean is needed to protect the health of the mother or her baby. Expect your c-section to take 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Extracting your baby is usually very fast, between 1 to 15 minutes. Suturing your uterus and abdomen closed takes longer.
Typically, your partner can be with you during a c-section. He or she will be asked to wear operating room garb and take a seat by your head. In some cases, a c-section is safer for you and your baby than a vaginal delivery. For example, your provider may recommend a planned c-section if:. Unless there's a medical need to deliver your baby sooner, your caregiver will schedule your surgery for no earlier than 39 weeks. You may need to have an unplanned or emergency c-section if problems arise that make continuing labor dangerous to you or your baby, such as:.
Elective c-sections are c-sections that aren't medically necessary, and most healthcare providers advise against them. That's because having an unnecessary c-section is riskier for you than vaginal birth. Also, having an elective c-section increases your chances of needing a c-section with future deliveries. Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , recommend planning for vaginal birth whenever possible.
Unless the health of the mother or baby is in danger, ACOG says that the risks associated with a c-section usually outweigh any short-term benefits. Elective or "maternal request" c-sections are uncommon. Reliable numbers are hard to come by, but most experts estimate fewer than 3 in women request a c-section for their first delivery.
Some are afraid of the pain of childbirth, others are worried about complications of vaginal birth like tearing , incontinence and sexual dysfunction , and some feel that a scheduled c-section is easier to plan for than an unpredictable labor and delivery. If you have any of these concerns, talk to your provider.
But because of the risks — including a tougher recovery and a greater chance of complications — be prepared for your doctor or midwife to discourage you from having an elective c-section. However, your provider should be open to an honest conversation about your concerns and needs.
Bring them up early in your pregnancy to allow time for an ongoing discussion. A "gentle c-section" is a name for modifications your labor team can make so that your cesarean delivery feels less clinical and more intimate.
Depending on the circumstances of your delivery, these may or may not be possible. Although there's not much research on the impact of gentle c-sections, one study found that women had significantly increased satisfaction with the birth experience when gentle c-section techniques were used. About 2 in 3 babies in the United States are born via vaginal delivery, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Related: Are you pregnant? Vaginal birth in people who have previously had a C-section, whether elective or because of an emergency, may be contraindicated depending on the location of their C-section incision and risk of uterine rupture in which the uterus bursts open along the old cut, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
However, not all hospitals are not equipped to deal with VBAC complications and some doctors refuse to oversee them, said Dr. Regardless of how they give birth, "women should be as informed as possible about their childbirth options so they can have a voice in the process, advocate for what they want and make the most informed choice," Bryant said. Here is more information about the pros and cons of the two birthing methods.
Editor's Note: If you'd like more information on this topic, we recommend the following book:. A caesarean is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery it carries a certain amount of risk. It's important to be aware of the possible complications, particularly if you're considering having a caesarean for non-medical reasons.
If you have a baby by caesarean, it does not necessarily mean that any babies you have in the future will also have to be delivered this way. Most women who have had a caesarean section can safely have a vaginal delivery for their next baby, known as vaginal birth after caesarean VBAC.
But you may need some extra monitoring during labour just to make sure everything is progressing well. For more information, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has a leaflet on birth options after previous caesarean section PDF, kb.
Page last reviewed: 27 June Next review due: 27 June The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line. Around 1 in 4 pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean birth. Why caesareans are carried out A caesarean may be recommended as a planned elective procedure or done in an emergency if it's thought a vaginal birth is too risky.
Planned caesareans are usually done from the 39th week of pregnancy. A caesarean may be carried out because: your baby is in the breech position feet first and your doctor or midwife has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you'd prefer they did not try this you have a low-lying placenta placenta praevia you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure pre-eclampsia you have certain infections, such as a first genital herpes infection occurring late in pregnancy or untreated HIV your baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients — sometimes this may mean the baby needs to be delivered immediately your labour is not progressing or there's excessive vaginal bleeding If there's time to plan the procedure, your midwife or doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of a caesarean compared with a vaginal birth.
Asking for a caesarean Some women choose to have a caesarean for non-medical reasons.
0コメント