Cesarean section (c-section) is delivery of a baby by surgery. C-section can be a lifesaving operation when either you or your baby's health are at risk. If it is not an emergency situation, C-sections are high risk and may lead to complications for both the mother and baby.
I firmly believe that women have become to comfortable with the idea of children being born this way. It is acceptable and even preferred by some. Evidence shows that for healthy moms and babies, natural birth is definitely preferred over a birth with interventions.
I know that C-sections are life saving procedures. I know they are an important part of our maternity care. I’ve read the books and seen the evidence. I know what demise occurred before C-sections birth was an option. Trust me it was not pretty.
However, it has been noted that most C-section births occur Monday through Friday around 5 and 10pm. So OBs (surgeons) can be home for dinner and night-night time. C-section birth is certainly easier on the OBs schedule. His or her part is over in 30 minutes and they’re outta there.
Complications for Mom
- Infection: Infection can occur at the incision site, in the uterus and in other pelvic organs such as the bladder.
- Hemorrhage or increased blood loss: There is more blood loss in a cesarean delivery than with a vaginal delivery. This can lead to anemia or a blood transfusion (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion).
- Injury to organs: Possible injury to organs such as the bowel or bladder (2 per 1002).
- Adhesions: Scar tissue may form inside the pelvic region causing blockage and pain. This can also lead to future pregnancy complication such as placenta previa or placental abruption.
- Extended hospital stay: After a cesarean, the normal time in the hospital is 3-5 days after giving birth if there are no complications.
- Extended recovery time: The amount of time needed for recovery after a cesarean can extend from weeks to months, having an impact on bonding time with your baby (1 in 14 report incisional pain six months or more after surgery).
- Reactions to medications: There can be a negative reaction to the anesthesia given during a cesarean or reaction to pain medication given after the procedure.
- Risk of additional surgeries: Such as hysterectomy, bladder repair or another cesarean.
- Nausea, vomiting, and severe headache after the delivery (related to anesthesia and the abdominal procedure).
- Maternal death: The maternal mortality rate for a cesarean is greater than with a vaginal birth. The risk of death for women who have a planned cesarean delivery is very low (about 6 in 100,000). For emergency cesarean deliveries, the rate is higher, though still very rare (about 18 in 100,000).
- Emotional reactions: Women who have a cesarean report feeling negatively about their birth experience and may have trouble with initial bonding with their baby.
- Premature birth: If gestational age was not calculated correctly, a baby delivered by cesarean could be delivered too early and be low birth weight.
- Breathing problems: When delivered by cesarean, a baby is more likely to have breathing and respiratory difficulties. Some studies show an increased need for assistance with breathing and immediate care after a cesarean than with a vaginal delivery.
- Low APGAR scores: Low APGAR scores can be the result of anesthesia, fetal distress before the delivery or lack of stimulation during delivery (vaginal birth provides natural stimulation to the baby while in the birth canal). Babies born by cesarean are 50% more likely to have lower APGAR scores than those born vaginally.
- Fetal injury: Very rarely, the baby may be nicked or cut during the incision (1 to 2 babies per 100 will be cut during the surgery).
Future Risks
If a woman who has had a cesarean section becomes pregnant again, she is at increased risk of:
- Placenta previa: The placenta implants very low in the uterus. It covers all or part of the internal opening of the cervix (the birth canal).
- Placenta accreta: The placenta implants too deeply and too firmly into the uterine wall.
- Women who have c-sections are less likely to breastfeed than women who have vaginal deliveries. This may be because they are uncomfortable from the surgery or have less time with the baby in the hospital.
- If you are planning to have a cesarean section and want to breastfeed, talk to your provider about what can be done to help you and your baby start breastfeeding as soon as you can.
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