When is a caesarean section carried out?

Traditionally, caesarean sections were only carried out when a normal birth would put the health of either the mother or baby at risk; however, nowadays, many women are having elective caesareans, meaning they choose to have the operation rather than giving birth naturally.

Elective caesarean section

Increasingly, women are choosing to have a caesarean section; this is known as an elective caesarean section. Nowadays, you can choose to have this procedure, rather than go through natural childbirth; however, it is important to realise that a caesarean section is not an easy way out and the operation does carry risks. Most healthy mothers who are expecting healthy babies will usually be advised to have a natural birth, rather than an elective caesarean section.

Emergency caesarean section

Despite the name, an emergency caesarean section is not always carried out in a life or death situation. In most cases, emergency caesareans are carried out as a result of complications which arise during childbirth. If there are problems during labour, the baby is in an awkward position or the labour is progressing too slowly, your doctor or midwife may recommend a caesarean section; if this is the case, there may not be much time to explain what is going to happen but your doctor will do their best to outline what is about to happen and reassure you about the procedure.

Emergency caesareans may be carried out in the following situations:

• If the labour is failing to progress and the baby is becoming distressed because it cannot move down the birth canal.
• If the baby is not getting enough oxygen and is becoming increasingly distressed and there is not enough time to wait for nature to take its course.
• If you experience vaginal bleeding during labour
• If you have been induced but the methods used have not been effective in speeding up natural labour.
• If an emergency situation arises and the baby needs to be delivered very quickly; emergency caesarean sections can be carried out in less than thirty minutes.

Planned caesarean section

In some cases, a midwife or doctor may recommend you have a caesarean section; this is usually the result of an existing medical condition or a problem which may cause a natural birth to be particularly painful or difficult. Women who are having twins or triplets will also usually be advised to have caesarean sections; older women, over the age of 35 are also much more likely to be advised to have a caesarean section.

Possible medical conditions, which may cause problems during childbirth include:

• Pre-eclampsia: this is a condition which causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. In severe cases, the mother may be advised to have a caesarean section.
• Position of the baby: if the baby is in an awkward position, such as the breech position, a caesarean section may be recommended.
• Multiple births: many women who are expecting twins or triplets have caesarean sections. Often, twins and triplets are born slightly premature and this is a safer way of delivery than natural childbirth. Caesarean sections may also be recommended if one of the babies is in the breech position or if the babies are sharing a placenta; if this is the case they may be deprived of oxygen during a natural birth and therefore a caesarean section would be safer.
• Small birth canal: some women have a narrow birth canal, which could make natural birth very difficult and uncomfortable. In some cases, the baby’s head may be too large to fit through the hole in the pelvis; this can be detected by scans during pregnancy and the doctor may advise the mother to consider having a caesarean birth.
• Medical conditions: women who suffer from serious underlying health conditions, including heart disease or diabetes will usually be advised to have a caesarean section, as natural birth may pose serious risks to their health.
• Infections: women with infections such as HIV will be advised to have a caesarean section as a natural delivery would increase the risk of infection for the newborn baby.
• Placenta praevia: this is a condition, which occurs when the placenta blocks the opening of the womb.
• Small babies: if scans show you are having a very small baby which may be born prematurely, you may be offered a caesarean as the baby can be delivered quickly and then treated for any health problems it may have.

Caesarean Section:

• Caesarean Section
• What is a caesarean section?
• When is a caesarean section carried out?
• What happens during a caesarean birth?
• After the caesarean
• What are the risks?