Birthing Position

12 Reasons Why Cesarean Might Be Recommended

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Nothing is guaranteed during pregnancy or labor and surprises often occur. Whether or not you are a high-risk mother, it is a good idea to be prepared for the possibility of having a cesarean. Sometimes emergency cesareans are necessary. They will only be done after a definitive diagnosis is made. An emergency cesarean will be necessary should there be a pelvic disproportion (the baby is too big to fit through the birth canal), fetal distress (for example, due to the umbilical cord wrapping around the fetus’s neck, placental insufficiency, low oxygen, or infection), maternal distress, such as abruptio placenta, maternal heart problems, or toxemia of pregnancy.

Although time will be of the essence, should you be diagnosed with any of these conditions, be sure that you ask for even a brief explanation for the surgery. It may also be a good idea to request a second opinion.

Here are the most common indications for cesarean birth:

• Previous surgery on the uterus makes a cesarean necessary
• Placenta previa, to prevent excessive maternal bleeding that may affect the fetus.
• Abruptio placenta, to prevent rapid blood and oxygen loss to the baby as a result of the placenta separating.
• Herpes infection, a cesarean will prevent the possibility of passing it on to the baby through the birth canal.
• Severe toxemia, to prevent fetal complications.
• Fetal distress, as identified through ultrasounds and/or fetal monitoring.
• Abnormal fetal position, making it impossible for the baby to pass through the birth canal. An example would be a breech or transverse presentation.
• Diabetic mother, if the disease results in a very large baby, or poor blood flow to the placenta.
• Prolapsed cord, to prevent loss of oxygen to the baby.
• Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), when the baby’s head is too large to pass through the birth canal.
• Failure of labor to progress, or if oxytocin has not been effective.
• Forcep or vacuum failure.

While there may be additional circumstances that would require birth by cesarean, these are the most common reasons. Always be sure to discuss the possibilities as they relate to your pregnancy with your doctor.

by Carl DiNello
About the Author: Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet’s most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Pregnancy Information & Resources! You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

Sheryl’s comment:
These are twelve common reasons why cesareans are routinely performed. While some of the reasons, such as placental problems, are valid for having a cesarean, many are not. Number one (having prior uterine surgery) is total nonsense, and any doctor that tells you so is a butcher just trying to save his/her own ass. Number 11 (labor not progressing) is also not a valid reason for a cesarean. The OBGYN being in a rush is just not justification for butchering a laboring mother. Perhaps the baby was not ready to be born in the first place. Perhaps the IVs and monitors are stalling labor and if mom could take a walk things would start again.Number 6,8,10,11 and 12 can all be potentially helped by assuming a squatting, kneeling or all fours position for birth rather than the lithotomy or supine (laying flat on your back) position. Laying on your back is the worst possible position to give birth in from a physiological, psychological and gravitational standpoint. Doctors and Certified Nurse Midwives fancy themselves too important to have to kneel down to see what is going on. Good luck trying to convince them that you are going to squat in a hospital.

If your doc insists on a C-section you can refuse. You can insist on a second opinion. You can check yourself out. There are quite a few options other than taking someone’s word for it who is going to clearly gain financially from cutting you open. The key is to have your facts straight prior to going into labor. Get the book Obstetrical Myths and Research Realities and bring it to the hospital with you so your sneaky doc can’t pull a fast one on you.

Home birth! Its the only way to avoid having a C-section pushed down your throat for reasons that the labor assistants caused in the first place. You can always head to the hospital if you have a legitimate need for a C-section.

Buy the Book: The Expectant Parent’s Guide to Preventing A Cesarean Section

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/celinesphotographer/360918623/

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