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During pregnancy, it's natural to wonder what your birth experience will be like. Most women can and will deliver their babies through the vagina. For varying reasons, a few will have their babies by caesarean section. A caesarean section is an operation. The baby is born through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus.
YOUR DOCTOR MAY DECIDE TO DELIVER YOUR BABY BY CAESAREAN SECTION FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: - If the baby has grown so large that it cannot fit through your pelvic bones.
- If the baby is showing signs of distress.
- If the baby is not in a safe position to be born through the birth canal. Some babies in abnormal positions with their bottom or feet coming first (breach position) cannot be safely born through the birth canal.
- If the placenta (which is known as afterbirth) is attached low in the uterus, blocking the birth canal.
- If you are experiencing severe pregnancy complications. In some women, pregnancy can cause extremely high blood pressure that is not healthy for either mother or baby. Diabetes can also cause severe health problems in pregnancy.
OTHER REASONS FOR HAVING A CAESAREAN SECTION INCLUDE: - if you have an infection such as herpes
- if you had a previous caesarean section and the incision in your uterus was made in a vertical, or up-and-down, direction
- if you have had injury to the pelvis
Today, most incisions are horizontal, or across the uterus. This allows the muscles in the uterus to safely stretch for future childbirth. Many women give birth through the birth canal after a previous caesarean section. Remember that a caesarean birth is surgery! If you have a caesarean birth, your abdomen will be painful. You may require some help to position the baby for breast or bottle-feeding. Walking and standing will be painful for the first few days. You may only be in the hospital for two or three days. You may want to have help at home for the first week or two. Women who have given birth by caesarean section sometimes have mixed feelings. They may feel sad to have missed the birth experience they had hoped for. They are also grateful and happy to have a healthy baby. These are normal feelings. Article #7117 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
