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Cesarean Delivery
More than twenty percent of babies born in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, also called c-section. A c-section is the surgical rather than vaginal delivery of a baby through a cut in the abdomen and another in the uterus. A c-section is more expensive, more painful, and requires more recovery time than a vaginal delivery, but it can be a lifesaver.
Doctors commonly choose c-sections for their patients as a response to: - Physical challenges to vaginal delivery like the mother's abnormal pelvic structure or the baby's intention to enter the world feet first, or bottom first, or with large head.
- Serious maternal health problems like heart disease, high blood & pressure, diabetes, etc.
- Cord prolapse, the umbilical cord falling into the vagina.
- Bleeding from the placenta.
- Dystocia, a catch all defined as difficult childbirth.
- Signs of fetal distress such as a slowing of the heart rate or acid in the blood.
Some women do elect to have a cesarean delivery because of an earlier and difficult vaginal delivery, a previous c-section, or concern about fetal brain damage during labor or trauma to the pelvic floor. Some experts like the fact that women now have the right and power to research and request a c-section, and they point out that the risks associated with the procedure are minimal for a low risk patient. But c-sections do not necessarily spare laboring mothers from episiotomies, prolonged labor, or instrumental delivery, and there are risks associated with c-sections.
Potential risks to your baby include premature birth if the conception date was miscalculated and the c-section scheduled too early, breathing problems, low APGAR scores, fetal injury, and depressed activity due to absorption of the anesthesia.
The potential risks to mothers' health associated with c-sections include infections in the uterus and nearby organs, blood loss at double that associated with vaginal birth, decreased bowel function in days following delivery, respiratory complications caused by the general anesthesia, and blood clots in legs, pelvic organs, and lungs.
But chances are that you and your baby will both be just fine, and your only real suffering from c-section will be a longer hospital stay an average of three to five days and recovery time perhaps as long as four to six weeks.
After surgery, you may feel nauseated or cold from the anesthesia, and pain will have settled in around your incision. Do not be afraid to request pain medication, as it should not interfere with breast feeding. And make a point of getting out of bed eight to 24 hours after surgery in order to help your bowels move and to prevent blood clots.
Some experts worry that the interruption of the natural process of birth for a c-section destroys this bonding moment for mother and child. The second your baby is placed on your chest for the first time, you will realize that there will be millions of bonding moments. The past nine months included a couple hundred. The day of delivery included a few more. The two of you have been part of each other and always will be. Having surgery doesn't change that.
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