Baby

When a c-section catches you by surprise!

By: Jacqueline Bodnar

You’ve taken the classes, learned how to breathe, focus and have practiced over and over. But don’t be surprised if you get wheeled into surgery when the big day arrives. Many people end up giving birth the cesarean way, whether planned or not. So it’s a good idea to know a little bit about it just incase it happens to you.

By the Numbers

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over one million cesarean births per year. That equals out to about 27 percent of all children being born through this surgical method. Many of these people had planned a vaginal birth although there are some are choosing elective cesarean sections.

The National Institute of Child Health & Human Development reports that the goal has been to try to reduce cesarean section births to around 15 percent. Despite that, they have steadily been on the rise, due in part to a growing number of women that are electing to have them. Some women are choosing to avoid vaginal birth because of the possibility that it may reduce the chances of having pelvic floor disorders. Others are opting for cesareans because it makes the delivery easy to schedule.

Reasons and Risks

There are several reasons that a doctor may recommend you have a cesarean section. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) provides of list of some of the most common causes for this method of birth. They include:

• Prolonged and ineffective labor
• Placenta problems
• Positioning or size of the baby
• Medical problems with the mother or fetal distress

Other common reasons for cesarean sections are giving birth to multiples and having had a previous cesarean section. The ACS reports that in the past when a women had a cesarean birth she would also have one for subsequent births. Yet they report that today it is believed that as many as 60 percent of women that have gotten a cesarean section may later be able to have a successful vaginal delivery.

In most cases, a cesarean section is not considered to be a risky or dangerous procedure. However, it is a major surgery, and with that comes some risks. Some of the risks to the mother include endometriosis, increased blood loss, decreased bowel function, blood clots and infections.

Recovery

Having a cesarean section is likely going to keep you in the hospital a little longer than you had anticipated. The average length of stay in the hospital after the surgery is three to five days. The day after the procedure patients are usually encouraged to get up and walk around. Usually patients are advised to allow four to six weeks for recovery before going back to normal activity.

Once you get home there are some things you should do, such as making sure you get a lot of rest, avoid heavy lifting or pushing and to avoid using the stairs continuously and driving for a while. If you are surprised by a cesarean section when it’s time to deliver don’t despair. They will be sure to walk you through all the necessary information to help you achieve a smooth recovery. The first few weeks when you get home you will not be able to do everything yourself, make sure you let others help.

Author’s Bio:

Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer living in the Tampa Bay area with her husband and daughter.