| Caesarean Section |
| Written by Jane Brown | |
Caesarean section gaining in popularity, usageA caesarean section is a surgical procedure in which a baby is removed from his or her mother's womb by a series of incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus. The procedure is typically done in cases where a vaginal birth is deemed to be dangerous to the health of the mother or child, but in recent years it has been done upon request by mothers or at the suggestion of hospital staff.About 30 percent of all births in the United States are done via caesarean section, well above the World Health Organization's suggested rate of 15 percent. The rate of caesarean sections appears to be higher among higher income women. Caesarean sections have been performed for many hundreds of years. In the past the procedure was done on women dying of pregnancy complications so their offspring might live. In recent centuries, the procedure has become non-fatal, as advanced anesthesia and surgical techniques have enabled doctors to safely deal with problem pregnancies, preserving the health of both the mother and child. In fact, today a caesarean section has become considered safer and less painful than a vaginal birth, causing some mothers and health care providers to opt for a caesarean section rather than a natural birth. Mothers may prefer caesarean section because of the reduced pain levels associated with the procedure, health care providers may prefer it because it's quicker and more controllable than vaginal birth. Traditionally, caesarean sections are performed when there is a clear and present danger to the health of the mother or the baby. Such circumstances include: if the child is too large for the mother to deliver safely, if a problems with the placenta or umbilical cord is putting the baby at risk, if the child is not in a head down position close to the mother's due date, if the mother has a heart problem or other medical condition that could put her at risk during the stress of childbirth, and if there are multiple babies being born. Prior to a caesarean section being done, doctors will insert an IV in the mother's vein to provide her with fluids and medicine during the procedure. After IV insertion, the mother will then be anesthetised, usually with an epidural, to keep her from feeling pain. In some cases, the mother may receive a general anesthetic, which will render her unconscious. Once the anesthesia has been applied, a surgeon will make the incision, usually low horizontally across the abdomen, near the public hair line. Other times the incision is made straight down from the naval to the pubic region. Once the baby has been removed, the doctor will also take out the placenta and close the incision with sutures or stitches. The average caesarean section takes about an hour to perform, and most hospitals will allow your partner to be present with you during the procedure. The recovery time is a little longer for a caesarean section than a natural birth, with a recovery time of about a month opposed to a recovery time of one to two weeks. As with any surgery, caesarean section does hold some risks. For mothers, a caesarean section may result in blood clots, surgical complications, bowel problems, vaginal bleeding, wound infection and increased risks in future pregnancies. Following a caesarean section, you run a greater risk of bleeding, abnormal fetal positions placenta previa, and uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies than you would if you had delivered by means of vaginal birth. Risks to your baby include fetal injury and breathing problems. Babies born via caesarean section tend to have more difficulties breathing than those born via vaginal birth. These problems increase if the caesarean section is performed prior to the 39th week of pregnancy. According to the National Institute of Health, the vast majority of women can go on to have a later vaginal birth after a caesarean section, but they do run a slightly higher risk for complications such as uterine infection or rupture of the uterus. Health risks to the children of subsequent pregnancies after a caesarean section also slightly increase. According to a study in a 2006 edition of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who undergo multiple caesarean sections are more likely to suffer pregnancy complications in later pregnancies, and women who wish to have lmultiple children should avoid having caesarean sections if possible. When deciding whether to have a caesarean section, be sure to determine whether it's medically necessary and if not, consider the possible risks stacked against the benefits of the procedure before moving forward with it. Caesarean sections are a very safe method of delivering a child, but the risks posed to subsequent pregnancies may convince you to go forward with a vaginal birth if possible. |
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