Caesarean Birth is it necessary?

Caesarean, commonly known as a C-section, is an operation in which a doctor makes an incision in the abdomen to reach the uterus and fetus. A caesarean section is a major abdominal surgery related to childbirth. In order for a natural labor to occur, three factors must be achieved. Firstly, there must be strong contractions to dilate the cervix to 10 centimeters. Secondly, the fetus must be able to transcend through the birth canal, lastly the pelvis must be large enough to allow the baby to make the trip down the birth canal. If these three factors do not occur, then a condition called “failure to progress” occurs. In a case, where little dilation has occurred, a doctor will let a laboring mother continue to labor 24 hours or more to allow the opportunity for a natural delivery, as long as neither the baby nor the mother are showing any signs of distress. If, after 24 to 48 hours, dilation has not progressed, a C-section will most likely be performed.

Why and when are C-section deliveries done?

Some of the main reasons for C-section deliveries are failure of labor to progress, repeated caesarean, multiple births, premature labor, and baby in breech position or fetal distress. When labor continues over a long period of time, doctors tend to take extra precautions to ensure that both mother and baby show no signs of extreme exhaustion or over exertion. If the baby's heart rate slows or accelerates too quickly or shows no signs of activity, most often it is considered signs of fetal distress. Because the risk of infection and oxygen deprivation is high after a prolonged labor, any sign of distress usually calls for an emergency C-section.