As people say, pregnancy is the most wonderful feeling experienced by a mother. As the crucial time is near, you are in a dilemma whether to opt for cesarean operation or natural birthing technique. Of course, it's better to understand the advantages and disadvantages involved in opting for a C-section before you make your choice.
As C-sections are becoming quite common, the complications are also reducing greatly. United States known as a land where people prefer convenience has seen the rate go up from 9% in 1965 to 33% in 2007. Even though woman are easily recovering from C-sections and are resuming their work in a normal manner but health agencies have critical views on the operation being performed needlessly. So the questions persists in our minds that why do doctors perform a C-section even when it’s not required.
According to a survey taken by health agencies, the reasons stated by the doctors were high multiple births, mother’s request for a C-section, lawsuit worries by doctors, delivery preferred in an easy way and medical issues deemed it to be important by the doctor in charge. With so many non-medical reasons, I think it’s time we really try to understand the complications involved in this operation. My friend gave birth to a beautiful baby through a C-section. Even though she preferred the natural way as she could recuperate easily but the doctor urged her to go in for c-section deeming it medically necessary. After the birth, the time she took to get back into her normal routine was long and painful too.
The long term complications, though rare, are certainly harmful for the mother and the baby. According to health agencies, it’s important for the doctors to reduce the rate of C-sections by not giving in to the request of patient but to educate the patient about other options too. Some of the long-term effects are:
Incision Problems
In a C-section, the area under the lower abdomen is incised so as to remove the baby properly. But sometimes if the baby is big, the doctor might create other cuts in areas near the incision. The areas near the uterus which is the left and right has large arteries and veins which can be ruptured accidentally. The only way to avoid blood loss from the veins and arteries is that the surgeon has to take due care to avoid it.
Placenta Increta
Even though this disorder is rare – about 1 in 3000 pregnancies – still it occurs when the placenta attaches itself deeply into the uterine wall. This type of disorder requires surgical removal of uterus known as hysterectomy to save the life of the mother. Therefore, many women prefer vaginal birth since the risk of placenta increta increases with every C-section. Doctors are able to diagnose the condition before delivery and through surgery, the uterus does not require removal. It’s best in such a situation to discuss with your health care provider about the options available.
Blood Clots
The risk of developing clots in legs and in pelvic area is one complication which the doctors have not been able to detect or prevent yet. These blood clots can cause death if the clot reaches the lungs. Therefore, doctors always insist on informing them about any clot in the legs. This condition, if detected early, can be treated with medicines prescribed by the gynecologists. According to doctors, these clots mostly occur in overweight women, women who have had a major operation and women who are on bed for long periods. Although blood clots are common in pregnant women because as the baby grows, the uterus expands and it places pressure on the veins which transfer the blood back from the legs and as the flow reduces, the chances of clotting increase. Secondly, due to hormone estrogen which is produced by the placenta in large amounts, the body’s clotting proteins also increase.
Atony
When the mother experiences long labor or birth of a large baby, the uterus remains relaxed and doesn’t close the blood vessels which were required by the placenta. This condition is called uterine atony where the bleeding is at high rate. There are medications available to treat this condition and complications are rare.
There are some common complications like infection, nausea feeling due to anesthesia, headaches and constipation problems which go away with time and medications. Also, a C-section affects the baby too like risk of injury during delivery, the baby may need to be transferred to neonatal intensive care and premature delivery. So as you plan for your delivery do remember to talk to your doctor about these complications and weigh the risks and the advantages associated with c- section.