Common Reasons for a Scheduled C-Section

When you are starting a family, you do a lot of planning. You organize and furnish the nursery and decide whether you want to know the baby’s gender. Scheduling and planning for a C-section may not be on the list, but it’s something you may not have control over. Your physician may make the decision ahead of time, or it could be due to an emergency during labor and delivery. Here are common reasons for a scheduled C-section.

What Is a Cesarean Birth?

About 30% of births in the US are performed this way. It is surgery and has more risks than a vaginal birth. During a C-section a physician opens the mother’s stomach and uterus to deliver the baby.

You or your physician can plan to deliver your baby via C-section. The doctor will decide due to a medical reason, and you can opt for it, although it’s not recommended for reasons other than medical since there is a higher risk of complications.

What Are the Benefits of C-Section?

There are some advantages of scheduling a C-section birth.

They include the following:

• You will know the date well ahead of time so you can plan and not be rushed.
• There is no labor involved.
• It is a life-saving option if a vaginal birth may be dangerous for medical reasons.
• There’s a lower risk of incontinence or sexual dysfunction.
• There is a decreased risk of the baby being deprived of oxygen during the delivery.
• There’s a lower risk of the baby suffering any trauma going through the birth canal.

What Are the Medical Reasons for a C-Section?

Baby Is in the Wrong Position

When the baby is “breech” or turned upside down with the feet closest to the birth canal, a C-section may be recommended. It is always best to have the baby’s head delivered first out of the birth canal.

A Stalled Labor

It becomes dangerous when labor is prolonged and no progress is made in movement of the baby through the birth canal.

To Reduce Birth Defects

If the baby has been diagnosed with a birth defect, your OBGYN will opt for a C-section to reduce any additional complications.

Mother Has Chronic Health Conditions

Having a vaginal delivery if the mother has conditions like gestational diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can be quite dangerous.

In addition, it is much safer to have a C-section if the mother has HIV, genital herpes, or anything that can be transferred to the baby through a vaginal delivery.

Cord Prolapse

This is a rare circumstance, but can be very dangerous and necessitates an emergency C-section. The umbilical cord slips through the cervix before the baby is born and can decrease adequate blood flow to the baby.

Multiple Babies

If twins or triplets are being born, this can slow down the birth process causing distress to mom and babies.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

When the mother’s pelvis is too small to accommodate the baby or the birth canal is too small for the baby’s head, a C-section is performed.

How to Prepare for a C-Section Birth

Getting ready for a C-section is no different than preparing for a vaginal birth and in many ways it is easier. Since you already know the exact date, planning ahead is simple and anxiety is lower.