More than just educating people about cesareans, Cesarean Awareness Month also aims to decrease the number of cesareans in mothers who don’t need them, or won’t benefit from the procedure. A cesarean birth, also referred to as a c-section, is a procedure in which the surgeon delivering the fetus creates an incision along the mother’s abdomen and uterus.
According to The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), one in three infants is delivered by cesarean. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows the cesarean rate rose nearly 60% from 1996 to 2009.
The NIH lists the following reasons why c-sections can be performed:
- Multiple pregnancy
- Labor fails to progress
- Medical concerns for the fetus
- Problems with the placenta
- A large fetus
- Breech presentation
- Maternal infections
- A mother’s medical conditions
Cesareans can also be planned or unplanned depending on a variety of circumstances.
A c-section is a major abdominal surgery and mothers are typically guided to choose natural birth due to the number of the complications that can accompany cesarean births. According to BabyCenter.com complications include:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clots
- More postpartum pain
- Longer hospital stay
- Significantly longer recovery
In addition, injuries to the bladder or bowel, although rare, can also occur. Mothers who plan to have more children after a c-section have an increased risk of the above complications.
If you are planning to give birth or have questions about the possibility of a cesarean birth contact your doctor and learn all of your options for a healthy and safe delivery.
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