The trouble is, that ideal of a doctor and a patient making an objective and informed decision together is hard to come by. Most births in the U. By their very nature, hospitals introduce pressures that may alter birth choices. Hospitals also tend to be risk-averse; many have developed systems that are intended to improve patient safety, but may result in pressure to perform C-sections rather than letting labor continue.
Differences in patient complexity cannot account for that spread. But even setting aside risk aversion, the decision to perform a C-section can be clouded by considerations other than medical necessity.
For example, physician-patients are about 10 percent less likely to have a C-section than comparable nonphysician patients. Why this is the case is not clear, but it suggests that doctors may treat some patients differently from others. Studies have also found that C-sections—especially first-time C-sections—spike around morning, lunchtime, and the end of the day, which could be could be interpreted as induced demand by doctors who are responding to scheduling pressures: getting to office hours, eating lunch, going home.
Why is this the case? But this logic rests on a crude generalization. Vaginal birth can be very straightforward, but it can also be very complicated and time-consuming. The same is true for a C-section. Here are the main reasons for an emergency C-section occurring after labor has already started. Not all C-sections come as a surprise during labor. Your doctor may schedule a C-section in advance because known factors or complications would make a vaginal delivery too difficult.
As C-sections become more common, more women actively choose this form of childbirth. Some want to avoid the possibility of prolonged labor pain or vaginal tearing.
Others like the convenience of scheduling the birth. Elliott, M. My mother is flying in. The surgery is generally done at or shortly after 39 weeks' gestation, which is the earliest time sanctioned by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Elective C-sections also give doctors a measure of control. Obstetrics, in general, is unpredictable, and can require that an OB is on call for 24 to 48 hours at the hospital, says Kenneth Johnson, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who practices obstetrics in Fort Lauderdale.
A scheduled minute C-section, on the other hand, is more predictable. Keep in mind, however, than many experts discourage these elective C-sections for non-medical reasons. For one thing, a C-section is major abdominal surgery, and there's always the risk of complications with anesthesia or post-procedure infections. There's also a long and painful recovery period, which can make you pretty uncomfortable and have a harder time breastfeeding in the first few weeks after your baby's born.
Most moms-to-be don't want to have a C-section, but if you or your baby develops a complication before or during labor, there's usually nothing you can do to avoid it. Some women may be more likely to need a C-section than others, though, and there are prevention tactics you can try. Eating well, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight gain can minimize your chances of developing the types of complications that often lead to cesarean— preterm birth , a too-large baby, and conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, for example.
Babies born by C-section sometimes have breathing problems transient tachypnea of the newborn because labor hasn't jump-started the clearance of fluid from their lungs.
This usually gets better on its own within the first day or two of life. Having a C-section may — or may not — affect future pregnancies and deliveries. Many women can have a successful and safe vaginal birth after cesarean. But in some cases, future births may have to be C-sections, especially if the incision on the uterus was vertical rather than horizontal. A C-section can also put a woman at increased risk of possible problems with the placenta in future pregnancies.
In the case of emergency C-sections, the benefits usually far outweigh the risks. A C-section could be lifesaving. As with any surgery, there's usually some degree of pain and discomfort after a C-section. The recovery period is also a little longer than for vaginal births. Women who've had C-sections usually stay in the hospital for about 3 or 4 days. Right after, you may feel itchy, sick to your stomach, and sore — these are all normal reactions to the anesthesia and surgery.
If you needed general anesthesia for an emergency C-section, you may feel groggy, confused, chilly, scared, alarmed, or even sad. Your health care provider can give you medicines to ease any discomfort or pain. It can help if you support your abdomen near the incision when you sneeze, cough, or laugh.
These sudden movements can be painful. You'll need to avoid driving or lifting anything heavy so that you don't put any unnecessary pressure on your incision.
Check with your health care provider about when you can get back to your normal activities typically after about 6 to 8 weeks, when the uterus has healed. As with a vaginal delivery, you shouldn't have sex until your doctor has given you the go-ahead, usually about 6 weeks after delivery. About 1 percent of pregnant women experience placental abruption.
Carrying multiples can pose different risks during pregnancy. It can cause prolonged labor, which can put mom in distress. One or more babies may also be in an abnormal position. Either way, a cesarean is often the safest route for delivery.
Since pregnancy and birth can be unpredictable at times, moms-to-be should be prepared in case a cesarean delivery is necessary.
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