Cesarean Section: The Operation

It is easy for doctors and midwives, who live with this common operation in their daily working lives, to assume that everybody knows what happens. In fact, many women confront it with no idea as to what it actually entails save for delivery of the baby.

Basically, a cesarean delivery will involve cutting open the abdomen and then the uterus to deliver the baby. It is therefore an abdominal delivery as opposed to the usual vaginal delivery.

Indications for cesarean section


Cesarean section can and is performed for a whole variety of reasons. Some indications are the mother’s (maternal) and others are baby’s (fetal). Very occasionally, it is because of issues to bo with both. Listed below are some of the more common maternal indications.

Ø Maternal pelvis: if the birth canal is deemed too narrow to allow safe passage of the baby, a cesarean section will be the only option. This state of affairs may be recognized following previous experience such as labour that was very difficult or that never progressed beyond a certain point. In such a case the cesarean section will be planned electively. It may otherwise be discovered in the course of labour and cesarean section is resorted to.

Ø Previous cesarean section: In the United States, less than 10% of women with previous cesarean section have a vaginal delivery. Figures in Europe and other parts of the world are a lot higher. Previous cesarean delivery is not always an indication for repeat cesarean section, except in a situation where the reasons for the previous cesarean section are still there, such as a narrow pelvis.

Ø Medical conditions: Presence of serious medical conditions such as heart failure or serious respiratory conditions is sometimes deemed an indication for cesarean delivery in order to circumvent the stresses and strains of labor. More often, instrumental (vaginal) delivery in the form of forceps or ventouse is opted for.

Ø Abnormal placental position: A low-lying placenta (a condition known as "placenta previa") is an indication for cesarean delivery.

Ø Placental abruption: If the placenta detaches partially or wholly during pregnancy or labour, emergency cesarean section may be performed, especially if there is hope of saving the baby.

Ø Previous plastic or corrective surgery to the vagina: If childbirth risks undoing the previous surgery, then the only way of getting around this problem is to perform a cesarean section.

Ø Failure to progress in labour: if labour appears to be getting nowhere in spite of everything, abdominal delivery may be the only option.

(src: pregnancybliss.com)

If you are unsure whether you will be needing the cesarean operation, it is best to ask your doctor if cesarean operation would be the last option.