CESEAREAN SECTION
Cesarean section also known as c-section, cesarean delivery, abdominal delivery is a surgical
procedure through which the baby is delivered rather than vaginal delivery by making an incision
in the abdomen and uterus of the mother. C-section may be needed when there are complications
or an infection that may be harmful to baby or the baby is in an abnormal position or is suffering
from distress. After the removal of baby from womb, the incision that was made in the abdomen
and uterus is closed by stitches.
Although it is a major surgery and carries risk but is relatively safer for mother and baby. This
takes longer time than normal delivery to recover. It also increases the risk of complications in
future pregnancy. There is difficulty in vaginal birth after c section known as VBAC.
Some c-sections may be planned but they are mostly done when there are unexpected problems
leading to emergency situation which can be harmful to both the baby and the mother.
PREVALENCE
1 in 3 of babies in US is born by c-section.
The cesarean delivery rate declined for the second year in a row to 32.2% of U.S. births in 2014,
which was 2% lower than the rate in 2013 (32.7%) and the lowest rate since 2007 . The rate
peaked in 2009 at 32.9% after increasing every year since 1996 (20.7%), followed by slight
declines in 2010 and 2013.
In 2018, the cesarean delivery rate decreased to 31.9% from 32.0% in 2017 . In 2017, the
cesarean delivery rate had increased for the first time since 2009, when it peaked at 32.9% after
increasing every year since 1996 (20.7%)
In Pakistan the rate increased from 2.7% from 1996 to 15.8% in the year 2013.
PROCEDURE
Anesthesia:
Most likely regional anesthesia (like an epidural or spinal block) is given that lets the mother
stay awake for baby’s birth. This means women are numb from below their breasts all the way
, down to their toes. If an emergency c-section is to be performed, general anesthesia may be need.
General anesthesia makes he patient go to sleep during surgery.
Before surgery:
1. The nurse must wash and shave belly so the area is clean for surgery.
2. Patient get a catheter (tube) in their bladder to drain urine.
3. An IV (needle) in placed in the hand or arm to give fluids and medicine.
During surgery:
1. When the patient is numb, the doctor makes the first cut in the belly. In most cases, it’s a
low transverse cut (also called a bikini cut) that goes across your belly, just above your
pubic bone.
2. The doctor makes the next cut in the uterus. A horizontal (across) cut is best because it
doesn’t bleed too much and heals well. Sometimes the doctor has to make a vertical (up and
down) cut because of the baby’s size or position.
3. The doctor opens the amniotic sac and takes out the baby. some tugging, pulling and
pressure may be felt.
4. The doctor cuts the umbilical cord and removes the placenta.
5. The doctor closes the incisions with stitches or staples.
NORMAL VS CESAREAN DELIVERY
Stays for vaginal deliveries tend to be shorter and less expensive than C-section stays.
Stays for vaginal deliveries with complicating conditions are more costly than stays
without complicating conditions.
Among stays for vaginal delivery, the following common complicating conditions
occurred: umbilical cord complications, prolonged pregnancy, abnormal fetal heart rate
or rhythm, and problems of the amniotic cavity (such as premature rupture of membranes
and infection of the amniotic cavity).
Cesarean section also known as c-section, cesarean delivery, abdominal delivery is a surgical
procedure through which the baby is delivered rather than vaginal delivery by making an incision
in the abdomen and uterus of the mother. C-section may be needed when there are complications
or an infection that may be harmful to baby or the baby is in an abnormal position or is suffering
from distress. After the removal of baby from womb, the incision that was made in the abdomen
and uterus is closed by stitches.
Although it is a major surgery and carries risk but is relatively safer for mother and baby. This
takes longer time than normal delivery to recover. It also increases the risk of complications in
future pregnancy. There is difficulty in vaginal birth after c section known as VBAC.
Some c-sections may be planned but they are mostly done when there are unexpected problems
leading to emergency situation which can be harmful to both the baby and the mother.
PREVALENCE
1 in 3 of babies in US is born by c-section.
The cesarean delivery rate declined for the second year in a row to 32.2% of U.S. births in 2014,
which was 2% lower than the rate in 2013 (32.7%) and the lowest rate since 2007 . The rate
peaked in 2009 at 32.9% after increasing every year since 1996 (20.7%), followed by slight
declines in 2010 and 2013.
In 2018, the cesarean delivery rate decreased to 31.9% from 32.0% in 2017 . In 2017, the
cesarean delivery rate had increased for the first time since 2009, when it peaked at 32.9% after
increasing every year since 1996 (20.7%)
In Pakistan the rate increased from 2.7% from 1996 to 15.8% in the year 2013.
PROCEDURE
Anesthesia:
Most likely regional anesthesia (like an epidural or spinal block) is given that lets the mother
stay awake for baby’s birth. This means women are numb from below their breasts all the way
, down to their toes. If an emergency c-section is to be performed, general anesthesia may be need.
General anesthesia makes he patient go to sleep during surgery.
Before surgery:
1. The nurse must wash and shave belly so the area is clean for surgery.
2. Patient get a catheter (tube) in their bladder to drain urine.
3. An IV (needle) in placed in the hand or arm to give fluids and medicine.
During surgery:
1. When the patient is numb, the doctor makes the first cut in the belly. In most cases, it’s a
low transverse cut (also called a bikini cut) that goes across your belly, just above your
pubic bone.
2. The doctor makes the next cut in the uterus. A horizontal (across) cut is best because it
doesn’t bleed too much and heals well. Sometimes the doctor has to make a vertical (up and
down) cut because of the baby’s size or position.
3. The doctor opens the amniotic sac and takes out the baby. some tugging, pulling and
pressure may be felt.
4. The doctor cuts the umbilical cord and removes the placenta.
5. The doctor closes the incisions with stitches or staples.
NORMAL VS CESAREAN DELIVERY
Stays for vaginal deliveries tend to be shorter and less expensive than C-section stays.
Stays for vaginal deliveries with complicating conditions are more costly than stays
without complicating conditions.
Among stays for vaginal delivery, the following common complicating conditions
occurred: umbilical cord complications, prolonged pregnancy, abnormal fetal heart rate
or rhythm, and problems of the amniotic cavity (such as premature rupture of membranes
and infection of the amniotic cavity).
