Naturally Healthy Lifestyles

Childbirth by C-Section

 

 
Procedures for a Caesarean Section
Coping after a Caesar
Once a Caesar .. Always a Caesar?

 

Babies are welcomed to planet earth in different ways and the surgical route is one. Here we take a look at why Caesar's are done, what to expect and how your recovery differs from natural birth.

 

When is a Caesar necessary?

Most pregnant mothers hope that their baby will be born naturally with as little medical intervention as possible and pay little attention to any media on Caesareans. Unfortunately there are times when by no choice of her own, the mother may find herself being prepared for an emergency Caesar, throwing the expectations of the baby's birth off-balance, and sometimes making the emotional recovery a longer process.

There are a number of reasons why a baby may have to be delivered via a Caesarean Section:
  • Fetal Distress - The baby's oxygen supply is greatly reduced or cut off, and this may be due to:
    • Prolapse of the umbilical cord
    • Placental Insufficiency (when the placenta fails to supply the baby with adequate nourishment.)
    • Placenta Abruptio (the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.)
    • The stresses of labour
  • Cephalo-Pelvic Disproportion - The baby's head is too big to easily fit through the pelvis, either because the head is relatively large or the mother's pelvic structure too small.
  • Abnormal presentation - If the baby is lying heads up (breech) and your doctor is unable to turn him before the onset of labour, vaginal birth will not be favoured.
  • Placenta Praevia - A Caesarean section will have to be considered, only if the low-lying placenta is actually blocking the exit from the womb.
  • Serious disease present in the mother - Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or even genital herpes will make a Caesarean a necessary option.

You may have to undergo either an elective caesar where the operation is planned in advance or an emergency caesar which is performed when labour is affected by a medical situation which demands that your baby be delivered as quickly as possible, and by being informed, both can be joyous events.