C-Section
Cesarean Delivery

• Are you afraid of having a cesarean rather than a natural birth?
• Do you want to know if you can have a natural birth after a cesarean section?
• Or simply do you want to know what it feels like, if it hurts and how to be prepared?

A cesarean is a surgical procedure and is performed using epidural or general anesthesia. An incision is done in your abdomen in order for your baby to be born. It sounds easy, isn’t it? It is, but it is still a surgery with all the medical care required during and afterwards.

A C-section may be scheduled in advance or may be indispensable in the last minute during childbirth.

When is required a cesarean section in the last minute of childbirth?

The intervention is also needed if your baby's head is too big for your pelvis (although the cervix is fully dilated and contractions are effective).

I got to the hospital at 9 am the day of my scheduled childbirth, a nurse took me to a room and she applied me an injection to induce labor. I waited for about 5 hours and the nurse said that the dilation of the cervix was not enough. When my gynecologist arrived at the hospital, she said that my baby was suffering and she decided to perform a C-section.

During the surgery I had no pain because the doctor applied an epidural block which is an anesthesia that allows you to stay awake and also provide effective pain relief during recovery.

I was very disappointed because I wanted a vaginal birth, I always dreamed to have my baby naturally.

If you have been scheduled for a Cesarean section, I recommend you to read before some recommendations about unnecessary cesarean.

The c-section recovery isn't a walk in the park, in spite of having applied the epidural anesthesia. The surgery does not allow you to get up and try to walk around the same day. The time for recovery is higher than a natural childbirth.

When a cesarean section has to be scheduled?

• When the uterus is injured due to the removal of certain fibroids, the scar may be opened due to contractions.
• When your baby's head (which can be measured by ultrasound) is higher than your pelvis (which can be measured by radio-pelvimetry).
• When your baby is positioned transversal or breech. However if it is positioned breech, your doctor may try a natural childbirth, but in order to prevent you from suffering, your doctor may perform a systematic episiotomy (a surgical incision in the floor of the pelvis).
• When your baby has not grown enough and is too fragile to be born naturally. In this case a c-section is practically needed to help your baby to be born and may be placed in an incubator.
• When you have a placenta previa which does not allow your baby to move through the pelvis. You may have a risk of bleeding.
• When there is a multiple pregnancy (triplets or quadruplets). In case of twins, cesarean section may be required if the first twin is in breech position, or if the uterus has a scar.
• When in late pregnancy you have herpes outbreaks. In this case is recommended a cesarean section to prevent your baby from having contact with infected genitals.
• The doctor may perform a c-section if you have any health problems like hypertension, heart disease, or certain eye defects. In such cases a caesarean is not always needed because the doctor can use forceps to facilitate the expulsion.

Are there any risks associated with cesarean births?

There are a number of risks although the rate of serious complications is very low.

For future pregnancies it may cause:

• Ectopic pregnancy due to scar tissue.
• Uterine rupture.
• Placental problems.

Some experts say that babies born by c-section are three times as likely to experience respiratory complications.

If you already had a cesarean section before, it is not by default another cesarean section in your second birth. Read before some recommendations about unnecessary cesarean. Read also advantages and disadvantages of a vaginal birth.

However, there is a small risk of uterine rupture associated with VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) attempts, which can be dangerous for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor to know the benefits and risks of VBAC.