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A caesarean section is the delivery of a baby through an incision in a woman’s
abdomen and uterus. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of babies born in the U.S. are
delivered through a caesarean section. A caesarean section is performed only after
your obstetrician has carefully weighed all of the factors involved in your pregnancy
and has decided that a caesarean section is the best possible option for you and your
baby.
Why are caesarean sections performed?
There are several conditions that may necessitate a caesarean section, either in
the course of your pregnancy or during labor.
Most often, the decision to deliver a baby via caesarean section is made during
the course of a woman’s labor. Sometimes conditions necessitating a caesarean
are discovered during the course of the pregnancy. The following are conditions,
which may require a caesarean delivery:
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The baby is too large to be passed through your pelvis, or your birth canal is too small for
a safe delivery.
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The baby isn’t positioned properly. The baby could be breech (buttocks or feet first)
or traverse (side to shoulder first).
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You have placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is positioned abnormally low
within the uterus with the possibility it could completely block the cervix.
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You are experiencing prolonged or ineffective labor. The baby isn’t moving down the
birth canal because the cervix has stopped dilating, or there are insufficient contractions
of the uterus.
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You have had a previous caesarean section. Not all women have had a previous caesarean
section need a repeat caesarean. Factors such as the cause of the previous caesarean, and
the type of uterine incision used, will determine the need for a repeat caesarean.
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The baby is suffering fetal distress. This is when the baby’s heart rate becomes
irregular.
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The placenta suddenly separates from the uterine wall, a condition called placenta
abruption.
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The flow of blood and oxygen through the umbilical cord is being restricted due to the
position of the baby or the cord.
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Multiple births, such as twins, may sometimes be delivered more safely by caesarean
section.
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