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Health

Cesarean section (C-section)

Since a C-section is major surgery, it carries more possible risks than a vaginal birth, which may include:

c-section, cesarean section method, necessity, complications and risks

If you’re pregnant, you’ll probably deliver your baby through the birth canal, which is known as a vaginal birth. However, sometimes a cesarean section, or C-section, the delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother’s belly and uterus, is necessary for the safety of the mother of her baby during childbirth. C-sections, including those that are elective and not medically necessary, account for about one in four or five births in Canada, which is a significant increase over the past four decades, a fact that concerns some medical experts. Due to the added risks of C-sections during childbirth and the burden they place on the health care system, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is urging women and healthcare professionals to opt for C-sections only when they are medically necessary.

Method After an anesthetic is given to the mother to numb her legs, an IV is inserted into her arm and the hair on the abdomen or pubic area may be shaved or clipped. The doctor makes the cut low across the belly (either horizontally above the pubic bone or vertically) and then lifts the baby out and removes the placenta before closing the incision with stitches. You may experience a feeling of pressure or tugging and feel shaky, nauseous or lightheaded. Usually the mother can be awake during a C-section and is able to be with her newborn after birth. General anesthesia, which induces sleep, is only used in emergency situations. After the surgery, you will spend a few hours in the recovery room; usually you can be joined by your baby and your partner. You can start breastfeeding as soon as you are ready. Most women can go home within three to five days after a C-section but it may take about a month to completely recover. During that time it’s important to avoid heavy lifting, intense exercise and to take it easy while the incision heals. Necessity Sometimes C-sections are planned, for example, in the case of a multiple pregnancy or when the mother has an infection that she could pass to the baby while giving birth, but usually they occur as a result of problems during labour, which can include:

labour that is slow or has stopped,

when a baby is breech (in a position to be born bottom first or feet first), appears to be in distress or is too large to be delivered vaginally,

when there is a pregnancy complication, such as a problem with the umbilical cord or placenta previa, which can cause bleeding before or during delivery.

If a woman has had a C-section, she may be able to deliver her next baby vaginally, which is called vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) or her doctor may suggest another C-section, if she’s thinks it may cause the scar to tear.

Complications Since a C-section is major surgery, it carries more possible risks than a vaginal birth, which may include:

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heavy blood loss,

an infection of the uterus or incision,

blood clots,

problems from anesthesia, such as severe headache or vomiting,

injury to the mother or baby, and in extremely rare cases, death,

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babies born by C-section are more likely to have respiratory distress and consequently asthma later in life.

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