C- Section
Cesarean has come to mean the birth of a child by abdominal
operation. It can be elective (planned in advance by
mother and surgeon) or an emergency cesarean. An incision
is made in the abdominal cavity of the mother, and then
in the uterus. Cesarean deliveries were once feared
and viewed with caution but now with improved operation
techniques and improvement in preoperative and postoperative
care as well as reduced infection, C-section is now
considered a safe procedure. The advances in anesthesia
methods, blood banks, surgical care, and antibiotics
have reduced the risks to the mother. It is a major
surgery and sometimes is preferred under emergency circumstances.
The most common reasons to opt for C-section include:
• Mother's narrow pelvis
• Baby's abnormal position - e.g. breech or across
the abdominal cavity
• Poor contractions - not forceful enough to push
baby down
• Previous cesarean has increased the chance of
uterine rupture
• Pelvic tumors
• Fetal distress which in turn endangers the fetus
• Some abnormality of the placenta - e.g. placenta
previa, placenta abruption causing emergency delivery
• Maternal diabetes and preeclampsia causing complications
• Rh disease
To reduce the rate of C-section procedures since (it
is still a major surgery that is not entirely risk-free),
VDAC or vaginal delivery after Cesarean has been encouraged.
Vaginal delivery after a previous operation is regarded
safe if:
• in the previous C-section the incision was in
the lower part of the uterus. If the incision was made
in the top part of the uterus, all subsequent deliveries
must be made by cesarean to prevent uterine rupture.
• the trial of labor is closely monitored and
facilities are available for emergency care i.e. blood
transfusion and surgery
• labor is not induced as this increases the chances
for rupture (labor should not be induced unless in special
cases as decided by your doctor)
|