Reasons Why You May Have A C-Section
When you give birth, you will either have a vaginal delivery or caesarean section (C-section). Most women give birth through vaginal delivery, but a large minority (about 25% in the UK) give birth through C-section. Although a C-section is a major operation, they are generally very safe. However, there are some risks, such as: damage to organs, infections, blood clots, and your baby being accidentally cut. (See 1.)
There are many reasons why you may have a C-section, but it’s a joint decision between you and your medical team. You will have a meeting together before you go into hospital, to discuss all the benefits and risks involved and come to a mutual agreement.
In this article we’ll look at some of the reasons for a c-section.
Reasons for a C-section birth
(A) Planned C-Sections
C-sections are often planned in advance with your medical team, which is also known as an elective section. There are many reasons why doctors would recommend that you give birth by elective section, such as:
Certain conditions
If you have untreated HIV, for example, or genital herpes that’s occurred late in pregnancy then a C-section may be safer for your baby.
Position of your baby
If scans show that your baby is in a difficult place, such as laying in the breech position (feet first), then C-section is an option. However, this is normally dealt with through ECV (external cephalic version) where a doctor turns your baby to a position that enables vaginal delivery.
Large head
If your baby has a particularly big head then this can also make vaginal delivery dangerous.
More than one baby
Twins are normally delivered vaginally, but if you are expecting triplets, or more, then you’ll almost certainly be recommended for a C-section.
Your choice
You can also ask for a C-section. There could be many reasons for this, such as: a traumatic vaginal delivery in the past, anxiety around labour pain, or concern about damage to your pelvic floor.
If – after a full discussion about risks - you decide that you want a C-section, then your medical team should agree to this.
Further information on (A) Planned C-Sections:
1. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 28/03/23
2. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 28/03/23
3. NHS Inform - Caesarean section https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/labour-and-birth/assisted-birth/caesarean-section-c-section Accessed on 28/03/23
4. RCOG - Considering a caesarean birth patient information leaflet
https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/considering-a-caesarean-birth-patient-information-leaflet/ Accessed on 28/03/23
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(B) Emergency C-Sections
Around half of C-sections are what’s known as ‘emergency sections’. Despite the dramatic name, this just means that after going in for a vaginal delivery, the medical team decides that a caesarean section would be better.
Reasons for emergency sections include:
Protracted labour
If your labour is taking a long time, your cervix hasn’t opened sufficiently, and your contractions are weak, then C-section may be the safest option.
Maternal illness
If you become very ill during labour - with heart problems or high blood pressure, for example – then an emergency C-section may be needed to protect you.
Foetal distress
This means that your baby is having problems, so needs to come out quickly. There are various options to achieve this – one of which is emergency C-section.
Placenta problems
There can be problems such as placenta praevia (where the placenta is blocking your baby’s passage through the cervix) that mean C-section is the best option for safe delivery.
Further information on (B) Emergency C-Section:
5. NHS Inform - Caesarean section https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/labour-and-birth/assisted-birth/caesarean-section-c-section Accessed on 28/03/23
6. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 28/03/23
7. RCOG - Considering a caesarean birth patient information leaflet
https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/considering-a-caesarean-birth-patient-information-leaflet/ Accessed on 28/03/23
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(C) Safety is most important
Whatever you think about C-section, you should remember that your medical team will approach the situation with safety in mind and that whatever they recommend will be the safest option for you and your baby.
8. RCOG - Considering a caesarean birth patient information leaflet