Introduction
There are various methods for giving birth to a child. Naturally, there are vaginal births and cesarean sections, or C-sections, which account for almost one-third of births in the United States.
Although it is a routine and safe process, the surgical delivery of a baby from the mother's uterus carries higher risks and requires a longer recovery than vaginal delivery. During my experience in working with pregnant women, so many do not ask the right questions .
I feel that instead of just agreeing with a doctor after being told that a C-section is needed, patients need to ask the following important questions to get an understanding of what is at stake here. It is so imperative that you know the answers to each of these four questions.
Therefore, if your OB-GYN offers a scheduled C-section, it's crucial to inquire as to why. Before bringing your child into the world, you should have a clear understanding of the rationale behind the operation and how it will operate.
Table Of Contents
1.Why do I require a planned C-section?
2.How many Sections do you perform annually?
3.Which date ought to be selected?
4. What can I anticipate both during and following my C-section?
5.Take a birth class
Now, a reminder:
According to Brian Brimmage, MD, an obstetrician who delivers infants at UNC REX Healthcare, the majority of C-sections are unplanned and occur as a result of labor not progressing as it should.
This could occur for a variety of reasons, such as the baby's heart rate has dropped, the mother's cervix isn't dilating to the full 10 centimeters required for delivery, the mother has been pushing for a long time and the baby won't fit through her pelvis, or there are other situations that call for immediate medical attention.
Dr. Brimmage explains that the main goal is to deliver a healthy mother and child. "When we do not believe that a vaginal delivery would be safe for mom or the baby, we propose a C-section."
In the event that your doctor recommends a scheduled C-section, keep these four questions in mind and ask them directly to your doctor.
1Why do I require a planned C-section?
A woman who has already undergone one or more C-sections is the most typical candidate for a planned C-section. According to Dr. Brimmage, the most typical explanation for first-time mothers is that the baby is not in the head-down position for birth. The infant may be transverse or breech (bottom or feet down) (sideways).
When a baby is not head-down during delivery, the infant's head may become stuck after the rest of the body has been removed, which could be harmful. Doctors nearly never advise vaginally delivering a baby who is breech because this can quickly become a life-threatening situation for the child.
A physical treatment called external cephalic version (ECV), which involves pushing on the mother's belly, can be used by medical professionals to try and turn the baby as the pregnancy approaches the 40th week, although it isn't always successful.
According to Dr. Brimmage, twins and other multiple births frequently require a C-section, either because of the positioning of the infants or at the mother's wish.
Remarkably, though, if the first twin births head-first, it is sometimes possible to deliver the second twin breech. She can discuss this option with her doctor if she is expecting twins, he adds.
Your doctor might advise having another C-section if you've previously undergone one. However, it might be possible to try laboring and attempt a vaginal delivery after cesarean, or VBAC.
If a woman has already had one C-section, she can typically try to deliver vaginally if she so chooses, according to Dr. Brimmage. "They can choose to undergo a scheduled repeat C-section if they don't want to."
Vaginal birth is less of a possibility for women who have had two or more C-sections outside of a select few hospitals (mostly large academic centers). The chance of uterine rupture, which occurs when the uterus' scar ruptures during childbirth, is minor but not negligible.
The number of C-sections a woman has raises her risk.
2. How many C-sections do you perform annually?
Having a doctor who frequently performs C-sections is crucial; practically all OB-GYNs who deliver infants fall under this category.
C-sections carry the same three primary categories of risk as any surgery: bleeding, infection, and harm to the nearby organs or structures. In general, the more surgeries a doctor conducts, regardless of the type, the lower the risk of problems.
Additionally, a pregnant woman's body has around 50% more blood than usual, making her well-prepared to withstand blood loss, while IV antibiotics administered prior to surgery lower the risk of infection to about 3%.
Less than 1% of patients will experience injury to other body parts as a result of the surgery.
3. Which date ought to be selected?
According to Dr. Brimmage, the majority of planned C-sections happen at 39 weeks' gestation. Although a baby is considered full-term and prepared for life outside the womb starting at 37 weeks, newborns benefit from continuing to develop inside the womb until 39 weeks whenever feasible.
According to Dr. Brimmage, your chances of having a baby that requires care in a neonatal critical care unit are lower at 39 weeks.
But as long as she is beyond 37 weeks, if a woman goes into labor or has a water break before her due date at 39 weeks, we wouldn't try to halt it; instead, we'd go with the C- section.
Of course, there are exceptions to the 39-week norm, such as placenta previa, in which the placenta covers the cervix and increases the risk of bleeding. In that situation, a C-section could be planned as early as 36 or 37 weeks, according to Dr. Brimmage.
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4. What can I anticipate both during and following my C-section?
C-sections are similar to other types of surgery in that, according to Dr. Brimmage, "the more you know about it going in, the less frightened or scared you'll be about what's going to happen."
During a C-section, the great majority of women report feeling pressure or pushing rather than pain.
The anesthesiologist gives most women spinal anesthetic right before surgery, which causes everything from their upper belly down their toes to become numb. Before making the incision, your OB-GYN will do a test to make sure the anaesthetic is effective. There are times when women experience nausea as a result of the anesthesia or from lying flat; this can be treated with medication.
Most of the time, you can hold your newborn as your OB-GYN closes the surgical incision shortly after birth.
Compared to vaginal birth, recovery from a C-section is often a little more challenging. Prepare to be very sore for a few weeks; make ahead arrangements for care for you and your newborn.
For six weeks, your OB-GYN will advise you to refrain from heavy activity and lifting anything greater than 15 pounds. Nevertheless, your surgeon will want you up and moving around as soon as is practical following surgery (often the same day), as this lowers your risk of postoperative issues like blood clots and aids in getting your intestines working more quickly.
According to Dr. Brimmage, "you're going to be very sore the first day, and then probably more sore on the second day, which is usually the worst." "Thereafter, it usually gets a little better every day."
OB-GYNs are dedicated to reducing a mother's pain as well as the number of narcotic medications that she needs. Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be scheduled for use at specific times. The plan for managing your pain should be discussed with your doctor in advance, advises Dr. Brimmage.
Take a birth class
Taking a birth class before your Cesarean section is one of the best things you can do to help you and your partner better understand and erase the fears and unknowns. You have a midwife or other professional there to answer your concerns.
Taking a Cesarean section class is a perfect fit for you if you are told by your doctor , you need to have a C-section. I encourage you to sign up for our virtual class today @ our store here.
Conclusion
No one wants to have a C-section and does not know the answers to these questions questions. Ask them so that your fears about your surgery is not overwhelming. When you ask the right questions you, relieve stress about your upcoming surgery. I want you to put your trust in the living God.
God does not want you have the spirit of fear , but power, love, and a sound mind.( 2 Timothy 1 :7). God promised that He will be with us in every situation. I wish you every success in your upcoming planned day . I hope you ask those important questions.
Check out our available virtual class and see which one is for you or someone you know needs it.
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