Be Prepared for Unscheduled Cesarean Sections

There are many situations in which an expecting mother will need to go the route of delivering their baby via a cesarean section, even if it is not planned. They may be perfectly healthy and capable of delivering vaginally, but circumstances can arise that will initiate the care giver to opt for the c-section. Some of the possible reasons a baby will need to born through a c-section are:

• Placenta Abruption – What does this fancy word mean? It simply means that the placenta is beginning to separate from the uterine wall. If this happens, the baby can be left not getting enough oxygen and nourishment, and will need to be delivered immediately for safety concerns. Both the baby and mother can be in danger.
   
• Prolapsed Cord – A prolapsed cord is one that has found its way through the cervix. Again, this can leave the baby struggling for oxygen and will need to be immediately rescued via a c-section.
   
• If the baby has for some reason stopped proceeding through the birth canal, or the cervix isn’t dilating properly to allow them through. The caregiver will normally try to stimulate contractions to occur how they should. If repeated attempts fail then a vaginal delivery isn’t going to be possible.
   
• If the baby’s heart rate isn’t normal and it hasn’t been possible to steady the rate, there may be concern. If the care giver is alarmed or worried about the baby being able to endure more time in the circumstances, they will move forward with the c-section.
   
• If you have genital herpes, generally a vaginal deliver is still perfectly fine. However, should you end up with an outbreak during this time the baby should be delivered with a c-section. If born vaginally during a genital herpes outbreak, the baby could become infected.

Expecting mothers should have a basic idea of what happens during a c-section just to be prepared. In the event that they need to deliver this way, it is much less scary if they know what to expect.

Before anything can be done, the mother will have to sign a consent form giving the ok to proceed. The care giver will explain to them why they feel a c-section is needed and try to help them understand.

Generally one person is allowed in the room with the mother. They will either be given an epidural, in which they will be awake through out the procedure; less likely a general anesthesia will be used and she will be asleep. There will be plenty of extra medication provided to ensure complete comfort through numbness.

A catheter is administered and an IV set up. The mothers belly will be cleaned and the top of the pubic hair will be shaved off. Once in the operating room, they will place a curtain above the mother’s chest so they are not able to see the operation. If their husband or other person is with them, they will also be asked to sit at the mothers head where they will not see it either. However, if they would like to see the baby right as he is “born” the staff will typically lower this curtain a bit so it is possible. View of the body or abdomen is carefully, but strictly restricted.

There is likely nothing that could have been to avoid it, yet so many mothers feel guilty when they fall into this situation. It’s important to understand that unscheduled c-sections do happen, and it is no fault of the mother.