When should you consider having a C-section?
The U.S. government's Internet site Womenshealth.gov offers the following information and advice as to when a C-section is indicated:
A c-section is major surgery. And all surgeries have risks. These include infection, dangerous bleeding, blood transfusions and blood clots. Women who have c-sections stay at the hospital for longer than women who have vaginal births. Plus, recovery from this surgery takes longer and is often more painful than that after a vaginal birth. So, c-sections should only be done when the health or the mother of baby is in danger.
Doctors recommend c-sections when the health of the baby or mother is in danger. Even so, there are risks of delivering by c-sections. Limited studies show that the benefits of having a c-section may outweigh the risks when:
- the mother is carrying more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.)
- the mother has health problems including HIV infection, herpes infection, and heart disease
- the mother has dangerously high blood pressure
- the mother has problems with the shape of her pelvis
- there are problems with the placenta.
- there are problems with the umbilical cord
- there are problems with the position of the baby (e.g. breech presentation)
- the baby shows signs of distress (e.g. slowed heart rate)
- the mother has had a previous c-section
|
