Pregnancy Complications

If all goes well, about 40 weeks after conception, a baby will emerge into the world via the mother’s birth canal. Regrettably, all does not always go well. Pregnancy complications sometimes arise and adjustments have to be made.

In a natural birth, the baby travels down the birth canal and exits through the vagina. When conditions make this type of birth impossible or more complicated, a child can make his or her appearance by cesarean section, more commonly known as C-section.

A C-section is the delivery of a baby by making an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. As with a natural birth, women are usually awake during the procedure. This procedure is performed when a condition occurs that threatens the safety of either mother or child.

The need for this type birth may arise as a result of a number of circumstances. During labor, the baby may begin to show signs of distress. The umbilical chord may entangle the child and put him at risk. Some babies are actually too large to complete the entire journey through the birth canal. Labor may prove too difficult or may stop all together
In many cases, doctors know ahead of time that a C-section is the best option for bringing a child into the world. Situations that would lead to this decision include:

1) The baby is not in the proper position.

2) More than one baby has to be delivered. Multiple births can be more complicated.

3) Because of an existing illness or injury, it is deemed that a natural birth would create too much hardship for the mother.

4) The mother has an infection that could be passed to the child during a vaginal birth.

C-sections can offer a safe alternative when pregnancy complications come up, but the procedure has risks and should be used as an alternative, not as a first option.