You might need to plan a C-section if you're pregnant with two or more babies or if you have a medical condition or infection. If you run into an emergency during labor, you may also need a C-section. Here are a few examples of when this might be the safer option: Your labor isn't progressing as it should.
A C-section might be recommended for women with certain health issues, such as a heart or brain condition. There's a blockage. A large fibroid blocking the birth canal, a pelvic fracture or a baby who has a condition that can cause the head to be unusually large (severe hydrocephalus) might be reasons for a C-section.
Among low-risk patients, approximately 1 in 4 will need a C-section. For patients with known risk factors – such as previous C-section, fetal growth restriction, or maternal heart complications – the risk increases. And in many cases, these situations increase a center's C-section ratings.
Some of the main risks to you of having a caesarean include: infection of the wound (common) – causing redness, swelling, increasing pain and discharge from the wound. infection of the womb lining (common) – symptoms include a fever, tummy pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and heavy vaginal bleeding.
The national caesarean section mortality rate is 1.5%; the most common cause of death is haemorrhage and uterine rupture was seen in over one in five of those who died.
Having a C-section is a safe procedure. The rate of complications is very low. However, there are some risks, including infection of the bladder or uterus, injury to the urinary tract, and injury to the baby. A C-section may also cause problems in future pregnancies.
Does Walking and Exercise Prevent C-Sections? According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, women who participated in moderate exercise during pregnancy were 34% less likely to have a cesarean delivery than their non-exercising counterparts.
Women having epidurals were 2.5 times more likely to have a cesarean (20% vs. 8%), or put another way, 12 more women per 100 having epidurals had a cesarean (absolute excess), which amounts to 1 additional cesarean for every 8.5 women having an epidural (number needed to harm).
Although being afraid of childbirth is natural and understandable, it is important to know that a C-section can be painful and have many risks. Overall, vaginal birth requires less recovery time, has fewer risks, and a shorter hospital stay. This makes it the ideal choice for a healthy pregnancy.
In some situations, a C-section is not only preferable but mandatory—situations involving conditions like placenta previa, in which going into labor would precipitate life-threatening hemorrhaging, or cord prolapse, which can cause the death of a baby if a C-section is not performed in a manner of minutes.
Australia's caesarean section rate was higher than the OECD average over this time and ranked 27th out of 34 OECD countries in 2017, with a rate of 33.7 per 100 live births (ranked from lowest to highest) (OECD 2019). In 2020, 37% of all women giving birth in Australia had a caesarean section (AIHW 2022).
A c-section is major surgery, so it may have more complications for you than a vaginal birth, including: Your incision (cut), uterus and other parts of your body, like your belly and bladder, may get infected. You may lose a lot of blood and need a transfusion.
Some C-sections are scheduled if the doctor knows that a vaginal birth would be risky. A doctor may schedule one if: the baby is in breech (feet- or bottom-first) or transverse (sideways) position in the womb (although some babies can be turned before labor begins or delivered vaginally using special techniques)
Permanent nerve damage
direct damage to the spinal cord from the epidural needle or catheter. infection deep in the epidural area or near the spinal cord. bleeding in the epidural area, causing pressure on the spinal cord. accidentally injecting the wrong medicines into the epidural catheter.
If there is an emergency and no time to do a spinal or epidural, then a general anesthetic is used to get your baby out as quickly and safely as possible. That means a mother is put completely under for the procedure.
Spinal: A woman whose C-section is planned in advance will typically receive a spinal, also known as a subarachnoid block. The anesthesiologist injects pain medication, typically a combination of an opiate and a local anesthetic, through the lower back into the spinal fluid, bathing the spinal cord.
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery.
1 day later: You'll be encouraged to walk around within the first 12 hours after delivery to help relieve gas buildup in the abdomen, and to eat something light as soon as you feel able.
Why you need to wait. The concern regarding having a C-section and driving too soon centers around your physical capabilities and the risks associated with being under the influence of pain medication. A C-section is a major surgery, which means it comes with serious risks and aftereffects during the recovery period.
What is a 'gentle C-section'? A “gentle C-section” brings elements of a vaginal delivery into the operating room – such as letting the mother watch the birth and hold her newborn right away. A C-section is major surgery. We can't forget that. But we may be able to take a more patient-centered approach.
In most cases, you'll recover easily and quickly (within 6 to 8 weeks) and have just a small scar. Sometimes, you can do everything right and still have complications.
For women with 1 previous cesarean delivery, it is generally agreed that the optimal timing of delivery by elective cesarean delivery is during the 39th week of gestation, whereas for women with ≥2 previous cesarean deliveries, the optimal delivery time remains debatable.
The perinatal death rate was 84.7 per 1000 caesarean sections, with the highest rates in the Middle East and North Africa (354.6 per 1000) followed by sub-Saharan Africa (100.4 per 1000).
Emergency caesarean section
You may go into labour and expect to give birth vaginally, then find you need a caesarean section. This is called an emergency caesarean section, although often it isn't as dramatic or last-minute as the name suggests. Around 17 in 100 births are by emergency caesarean.