How to avoid a cesarean section
Should a cesarean section be avoided?
Nearly 32% of women give birth
by cesarean section, during which the baby is delivered through an incision in
the uterus. If you have a medical condition that can make labor or delivery
difficult, such as high blood pressure in the mother or the baby is in a tear
position (buttocks or legs first), your doctor will choose a cesarean section.
In emergency situations where the baby or mother is in distress, delivery will
be by "emergency" cesarean section.
How can I reduce my chances of having a cesarean section?
- These tips may help lower the odds—but don’t panic if your delivery ends in a cesarean section anyway. Sometimes surgery really is the best method to protect you and your baby from complications.
- Find a doctor and birth setting with low rates of intervention. Be sure to ask your doctor about their philosophy on cesareans and their cesarean rate.
- Become more educated about birth by taking childbirth classes, reading books, and asking lots of questions.
Key topics to discuss with your doctor include:
- How long can you stay at home before going to the hospital? For example, she may recommend that contractions begin in four to five minutes, at least one minute, for at least an hour. Often, the longer you stay in the hospital before your baby is born, the higher the risk of surgery.
- Explore options for coping with pain. Avoid epidurals if possible, at least early in labor. An early epidural restricts your and your child's movements, which may require intervention (constant monitoring, bladder catheter, etc.).
- Avoid continuous electrical monitoring of the fetus during labor. Studies show that electrical fetal monitoring can increase the risk of a cesarean section by almost a third.
- Ask for recommendations on breech presentation when turning the baby and actively apply them if necessary.
- Avoid induction if possible.
- Get ongoing support from a professional such as a doula. (Studies show that women with ongoing support during labor are 26% less likely to have a cesarean section.)