The national C-section rate is 21.5%, higher than what the World Health Organization terms ideal”, 10-15%, according to the National Family Health Survey. 47.4% babies born in private sector via C-section, far above 14.3% in govt facilities, NFHS shows.
“Is there a recommended rate for Cesarean Section?” The short answer is NO.
It is just the rhetoric representation over all these years, that has made it believably so. “The studies on which the WHO based the 15% recommendation 30 years ago were limited by either having incomplete data or relying on averaged cesarean delivery rates from multiple years without accounting for year-to-year variation in these estimates, says the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Surveys of India (FOGSI).”
The hallmark of labor management in the 21st century should be individualized care for the laboring woman. So, while all you mothers wait for a normal vaginal delivery, be prepared to expect a C-Section. A call to C- section may arise out of the blue, due to unpredictable circumstances.
A cesarean delivery might be scheduled by your doctor before your due date, or it may become necessary during labor because of an emergency. There are ‘N’ number of medical reasons for a cesarean call.
Reasons for an emergency C-Section:
If a complication arises once the labor begins, and a C-section is required, though a vaginal delivery was planned, it falls under emergency C-section.
Prolonged or stalled labor: which accounts for 1/3 of cesareans. It happens when a labor fails to progress even when a new mom is in labor for 20 hours or more; or 14 hours or more for moms who’ve given birth before.
Cephalopelvic disproportion: when your baby’s head is too big to fit through your pelvis.
Breach baby: In order to have a successful vaginal birth, babies should be positioned headfirst near the birth canal. But babies sometimes flip the script. They can position their feet or butt toward the canal.
The baby’s oxygen supply has been disrupted by a prolapsed umbilical cord—a condition in which the cord slips down through the cervix ahead of the baby and becomes compressed.
Fetal distress: The Baby is in distress because the doctors find an issue with the heartbeat.
Uterine rupture: when the scar from previous C-section rips open.
Placental issues: Doctors will perform a cesarean when the low-lying placenta partially or completely covers the cervix; even when it completely separated from the uterus (placental abruption).
Reasons for a planned C-section:
Planned C- sections are recommended by doctors in advance due to known factors or complications.
To reduce delivery complications,doctors will choose to deliver babies diagnosed with certain birth defects, like excess fluid in the brain or congenital heart diseases, through a cesarean to reduce delivery complications.
You’ve had a cesarean before. Not all doctors and hospitals perform vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC)
The mother experiences health issues (such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes) that may spark pregnancy complications.
The mother has a sexually transmitted disease, like active genital herpes or HIV, that could pass to the baby during vaginal delivery.
You have placenta previa. If your placenta lies at the bottom of your uterus (instead of at the side or top), it can block your baby’s exit from your womb or cause heavy bleeding during delivery.
You’re pregnant with twins or multiples. Though a vaginal birth is possible with twins, most are delivered by C-section, where both babies can be more closely monitored.
Elective C-sections:
An elective C- section is performed in the absence of any of these indications. Patients may opt for a C-section if they have a health condition such as high blood pressure or if a previous Cesarean means a future vaginal birth is associated with a degree of risk. However, women also elect to have a C-section, simply because it gives them more control in deciding when their baby is born. It can also reduce some anxiety of waiting for labor to start.
While it helps bypass the trauma during delivery or baby’s risk of being deprived of oxygen during delivery; it has certain cons as well. You’re more likely to need a repeated cesarean delivery with future pregnancies. Also, the hospitalization and recovery take longer.
Can I avoid C-section?
Most moms-to-be don’t want to have a C-section, but if you or your baby develops a complication before or during labor, there’s usually nothing you can do to avoid it.
Eat healthy, stay active, maintain a healthy weight gain; but always be prepared! Choose your health care provider, wisely!
Ask questions and discuss with them about the absolute necessity and adhere to it.
