Cesarean Section | Alternative to Vaginal Birth

If the doctor thinks it may be too risky for you to have a natural birth, a caesarian may be planned in advance as an elective procedure. It may also be done as an emergency - this is usually decided during labour if a vaginal birth puts you or your baby at immediate risk.

An elective procedure is usually done from the 39th week and may be planned for if:

· You have complications such as pregnancy-related high blood pressure or a low lying placenta (placenta praevia)  

· You have preexisting conditions such as genital infections (like first presentation herpes late in pregnancy) or HIV. 

· Your baby is in the incorrect position (breech) and they have not been able to turn them in time

An emergency procedure may occur if:

· Your labour is moving slower than planned, it is not progressing or there is significant vaginal bleeding. 

· Your baby is not getting enough oxygen or nutrients and they are appearing distressed. 

C-sections are very common and occur in 1 in 4 pregnancies and are generally a very safe procedure. But like with any surgery, it does carry a certain amount of risk.

These risks can be both immediate and delayed. Immediate complications include; excessive bleeding, damage to any organs nearby like the kidneys or bladder, and damage to the baby when the womb is opened. Delayed complications can be infection, delayed healing of the wound, or blood clots. A caesarian can also result in temporary breathing difficulties in your baby. 

You can certainly request to have a caesarian for non-medical reasons, however, some hospitals have strict policies to only allow caesarian sections for medical reasons, so it is worth doing thorough research beforehand. Your midwife or doctor will talk you through your options, concerns, and worries and weigh up the risks and benefits of how you will deliver your baby.