Introduction

A cesarean section is a delivery of the baby through surgery where an incision is made on the mother’s stomach and uterus. A cesarean section is a major surgery and should be performed only in special circumstance when either the mother or the child’s life is at risk. In most circumstances it is preferable to go in for a normal delivery as it is more beneficial for the mother and the baby as it helps one to recover faster. However when it is essential to have an operation the cesarean section is a safer option.

Reasons for birth by cesarean section

There could be several reasons why you could be suggested a cesarean section by your gynecologist. One is that the baby may be oversized and too big to pass safely through the vaginal opening. Secondly you might have had a cesarean section already or other surgeries on your abdomen which make it difficult for you to go through a normal delivery. Thirdly the baby might be in a breech position where the baby’s buttocks or feet enter the birth canal as against the head which is the normal position. Fourthly the baby might be in a transverse position where the baby’s shoulders enter the birth canal rather than the head. Fifthly if there are problems with the placenta it can be dangerous as this is the organ that nourishes the baby in the womb and can lead to bleeding. Fifthly if the normal delivery is taking too long or the labor pains stop all of a sudden then emergency operations are performed. Sixthly if the umbilical cord slips into the vagina or gets looped around the baby’s neck. Next if you develop an infection such as genital herpes or HIV. If you are delivering twins, triplets or more then an operation would be compulsory. If the baby has a birth defect or the baby has problems during labor called fetal distress.

Risks

In a cesarean section the woman takes longer to recover post delivery as it is a major operation and the woman is required to stay in the hospital for at least 3-4 days or even more. It takes 6 weeks for full recovery and the woman will require a lot of care and rest post delivery. Most of the cesarean sections performed today have modern technologies and methods followed which are relatively safer than the past. The risks if any can be due to the surgery or from the anesthesia the dosage of which need to administered carefully varying from patient to patient depending on the size, shape and resistance of the pregnant woman. A few complications that can occur are increased bleeding, infection in the cut, injuries to the bladder or bowel, blood clots in the legs, pelvic areas or the lungs.