All About Caesarean Sections
A Cesarean section (alternately called CS or C-section) is a way of delivering a baby where doctors perform surgery and make incisions on the mother’s abdomen and uterus to access the baby and deliver. This is an option taken when normal delivery is not possible or will put the life of either the mother or the baby in danger. There are many classifications when talking about c-sections.
Elective Cesarean - In some cases, it is the pregnant woman’s choice to have a C-section after discussing the options with her doctor. This case is called the elective cesarean section.
Emergency Cesarean - When a cesarean is performed with urgency in an emergency situation such as long non-progressive labour or other complications, this is called an emergency cesarean.
Medically Required Cesarean - In some cases women do not elect to have a cesarean they are required medically. When attempting a vaginal birth is too dangerous a medically required cesarean is booked.
Crash Cesarean - This type of cesarean has the highest risk and urgency and is done when life threatening complications arise during labour.
Compared to normal procedure where the baby is delivered through the vagina, C-section has become a popular choice for pregnant women whether there are complications involved or not.
Types of Cesarean Section Procedures
There are many types of Cesarean Section mostly distinguished by the incision on the uterus (choice between longitudinal and latitudinal).
The first type is the Classical C-Section. This is not a popular choice these days as this type is prone to having complications. This procedure involves a longitudinal incision on the midline to create a bigger space for delivery.
The most commonly used and preferred C-section procedure these days is called the lower uterine segment section. This surgical procedure uses a transverse cut above the bladder. This is most preferred because it involves a shorter incision and the least blood loss as compared to the classical type.
Another type is when the operation is performed on a patient with previous C-section. This type is called the repeat Cesarean section. The cut follows the old scar.
Elective Cesarean
Some women elect to have a cesarean section and will schedule it before the risk of spontaneous labour. There are many reasons for women to schedule an elective c-section including anxiety over a vaginal birth, previous cesarean etc. Elective cesareans are becoming increasingly popular even without medical complications involved in the birth.
Emergency Cesarean
During labour sometimes things don’t go smoothly. If labour is not progressing as it should or baby or mother shows signs of distress the doctor may decide to perform a cesarean section. There are many reasons an emergency cesarean might be performed. Unlike a crash cesarean an emergency cesarean has a sense of urgency to it, however the complications are not life threatening and there is a small amount of time to prepare including using a spinal block for the surgery rather than a general anesthetic.
Crash Cesarean
Even when you’re scheduled to have a normal delivery, complications can arise in the delivery room so emergency CS may be performed. Cases considered emergency include fetal distress or when the baby has indications of slow or irregular heart beat, maternal distress or when the mother experience sudden increase in blood pressure. When the mother’s contractions do not progress, a C-section may be the only option for safe delivery.
A crash Cesarean section is performed when life threatening complications arise during labor. As the term implies, this type of procedure requires immediate action to avoid more complications like excessive blood loss or loss of life.
If the mother has not had an epidural during labour there is a large chance the surgery will be performed under a general anesthetic, this is where the mother will be put to sleep. This is generally done during a crash cesarean as there is not enough time to perform a spinal block or epidural due to the urgency.
Cesarean Hysterectomy
The need for removal of uterus after the C-section is called Cesarean hysterectomy. When it is not possible to separate the placenta from the uterus or there’s intractable bleeding, this procedure is performed. It is very rare and only done in extreme circumstances.
Who can have a C-section?
Any pregnant woman has the choice of undergoing this procedure. But for those who have health and/or labor complications, your doctor will inform you early on if there’s a need for such procedure.
The indications for C-section include: prolonged labour, problems involving the placenta (placenta previa), when induced labour fails, large baby size, abnormal positions (breach or transverse), abnormalities involving umbilical cord and uterine rupture. There are many more complications that can occur even when the labor has already commenced so it’s up to the doctors to recommend C-section whenever they see it necessary.
A pregnancy can also be complicated when there is a pre-existing condition with either the mother or child. These can include hypertension, HIV, pre-eclampsia, high-risk fetus, multiple births and previous C-section.
Risks for the Mother and Child
Although C-section is a viable alternative to normal delivery, it doesn’t mean that it is a risk-free option and is by far not the easy way out. It is important to be aware of the complications involved so that proper care can be exercised accordingly. Also, previous Cesarean procedures on the mother may affect future birth delivery through this option. Some of the risks on the newborn include type I diabetes, breastfeeding challenges, breathing problems, fetal injury and neonatal depression. It is recommended not to have an elective C-section earlier than 39 weeks after your last delivery.
Recovery
Cesarean Section is major abdominal surgery and requires the mother to rest and recover for 6-8 weeks after the surgery. As it is an open surgery there are always risks of excessive bleeding and infection among others.
It is advised by most doctors that the mother not drive or lift anything heavier than her baby for 6-8 weeks after delivery. It is also advised not to do heavy stretching activities such as hanging the washing out or vacuuming for the same length of time and exercise is limited.
Cesarean Sections are painful and have a longer recovery than a vaginal birth. If you are thinking of choosing this as an elective option please seek medical advice and ask your doctor about the risks involved.
All articles on Beyond The Baby are provided for general information and are in no way giving medical advice. Please consult your doctor or midwife about any medical concerns.
Elective Cesarean - In some cases, it is the pregnant woman’s choice to have a C-section after discussing the options with her doctor. This case is called the elective cesarean section.
Emergency Cesarean - When a cesarean is performed with urgency in an emergency situation such as long non-progressive labour or other complications, this is called an emergency cesarean.
Medically Required Cesarean - In some cases women do not elect to have a cesarean they are required medically. When attempting a vaginal birth is too dangerous a medically required cesarean is booked.
Crash Cesarean - This type of cesarean has the highest risk and urgency and is done when life threatening complications arise during labour.
Compared to normal procedure where the baby is delivered through the vagina, C-section has become a popular choice for pregnant women whether there are complications involved or not.
Types of Cesarean Section Procedures
There are many types of Cesarean Section mostly distinguished by the incision on the uterus (choice between longitudinal and latitudinal).
The first type is the Classical C-Section. This is not a popular choice these days as this type is prone to having complications. This procedure involves a longitudinal incision on the midline to create a bigger space for delivery.
The most commonly used and preferred C-section procedure these days is called the lower uterine segment section. This surgical procedure uses a transverse cut above the bladder. This is most preferred because it involves a shorter incision and the least blood loss as compared to the classical type.
Another type is when the operation is performed on a patient with previous C-section. This type is called the repeat Cesarean section. The cut follows the old scar.
Elective Cesarean
Some women elect to have a cesarean section and will schedule it before the risk of spontaneous labour. There are many reasons for women to schedule an elective c-section including anxiety over a vaginal birth, previous cesarean etc. Elective cesareans are becoming increasingly popular even without medical complications involved in the birth.
Emergency Cesarean
During labour sometimes things don’t go smoothly. If labour is not progressing as it should or baby or mother shows signs of distress the doctor may decide to perform a cesarean section. There are many reasons an emergency cesarean might be performed. Unlike a crash cesarean an emergency cesarean has a sense of urgency to it, however the complications are not life threatening and there is a small amount of time to prepare including using a spinal block for the surgery rather than a general anesthetic.
Crash Cesarean
Even when you’re scheduled to have a normal delivery, complications can arise in the delivery room so emergency CS may be performed. Cases considered emergency include fetal distress or when the baby has indications of slow or irregular heart beat, maternal distress or when the mother experience sudden increase in blood pressure. When the mother’s contractions do not progress, a C-section may be the only option for safe delivery.
A crash Cesarean section is performed when life threatening complications arise during labor. As the term implies, this type of procedure requires immediate action to avoid more complications like excessive blood loss or loss of life.
If the mother has not had an epidural during labour there is a large chance the surgery will be performed under a general anesthetic, this is where the mother will be put to sleep. This is generally done during a crash cesarean as there is not enough time to perform a spinal block or epidural due to the urgency.
Cesarean Hysterectomy
The need for removal of uterus after the C-section is called Cesarean hysterectomy. When it is not possible to separate the placenta from the uterus or there’s intractable bleeding, this procedure is performed. It is very rare and only done in extreme circumstances.
Who can have a C-section?
Any pregnant woman has the choice of undergoing this procedure. But for those who have health and/or labor complications, your doctor will inform you early on if there’s a need for such procedure.
The indications for C-section include: prolonged labour, problems involving the placenta (placenta previa), when induced labour fails, large baby size, abnormal positions (breach or transverse), abnormalities involving umbilical cord and uterine rupture. There are many more complications that can occur even when the labor has already commenced so it’s up to the doctors to recommend C-section whenever they see it necessary.
A pregnancy can also be complicated when there is a pre-existing condition with either the mother or child. These can include hypertension, HIV, pre-eclampsia, high-risk fetus, multiple births and previous C-section.
Risks for the Mother and Child
Although C-section is a viable alternative to normal delivery, it doesn’t mean that it is a risk-free option and is by far not the easy way out. It is important to be aware of the complications involved so that proper care can be exercised accordingly. Also, previous Cesarean procedures on the mother may affect future birth delivery through this option. Some of the risks on the newborn include type I diabetes, breastfeeding challenges, breathing problems, fetal injury and neonatal depression. It is recommended not to have an elective C-section earlier than 39 weeks after your last delivery.
Recovery
Cesarean Section is major abdominal surgery and requires the mother to rest and recover for 6-8 weeks after the surgery. As it is an open surgery there are always risks of excessive bleeding and infection among others.
It is advised by most doctors that the mother not drive or lift anything heavier than her baby for 6-8 weeks after delivery. It is also advised not to do heavy stretching activities such as hanging the washing out or vacuuming for the same length of time and exercise is limited.
Cesarean Sections are painful and have a longer recovery than a vaginal birth. If you are thinking of choosing this as an elective option please seek medical advice and ask your doctor about the risks involved.
All articles on Beyond The Baby are provided for general information and are in no way giving medical advice. Please consult your doctor or midwife about any medical concerns.
