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Why is it necessary? of Caesarean section

In an emergency situation there may not be time to fully discuss the options for Caesarean section, and it may be necessary as a lifesaving procedure.

When a vaginal (normal) delivery would pose significant risks to the mother or baby, the midwife or doctor will discuss the option of a Caesarean for delivery and the reasoning behind it.

 Medical circumstances for a Caesarean include:

• Severe pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure)
• The unborn baby is not receiving enough oxygen, but a quick vaginal delivery is not possible at that time
• Labour is not progressing. Sometimes, despite all efforts, labour fails to move the baby sufficiently quickly down the birth canal (the channel through the exit of the womb, through the pelvis and out through the vagina) and the mother or baby is in distress
• Labour has been induced (brought on) for some medical reason but the methods used to induce labour are failing to produce contractions effective enough to lead to a vaginal delivery.
• It has been found that it would be highly unlikely that the baby will fit through the normal birth canal. For instance, an x-ray or scan may have shown that the baby has a head larger than the space in the pelvis through which it needs to travel; or the baby is in an abnormal position inside the womb such that it is unlikely to fit through the birth canal.
• The placenta (afterbirth) is blocking the exit to the womb. This is called placenta praevia.
• Some types of infection are an indication for a planned Caesarean section. These include active genital herpes, where a normal delivery would risk transferring the virus to the baby, and HIV infection in the mother, where a Caesarean section reduces the chances of the baby becoming infected with the condition.
• Premature labour; sometimes an emergency Caesarean section will prevent possible trauma to the delicate head of the premature baby as it travels through the birth canal.
• Very small babies are especially at risk of brain haemorrhage if they have a normal delivery.
• A medical condition such as a heart problem that would put the mother at risk during the efforts of a normal delivery.

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