8 common and shocking reasons you may need a C-section
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I loved being pregnant and I’m not afraid to say it. What I was scared of the most was the giving birth part. Even with my second pregnancy, I knew what was to come and that made me even more nervous. Can you relate? During labor and delivery anything could happen, I mean anything. Your birth plan may be slightly altered, that’s why is always a good idea to keep an open mind. With my first pregnancy I had a vaginal birth, with my second pregnancy I had a C-section. Even though my C-section was scheduled, many women do not expect to give birth via. C-section but they ultimately do. I want to share with you the 8 common and shocking reasons you may need a C-section. Because you just never know.
There are many pregnant women who actually want and have a C-section by choice! But, there are also many women who have an emergency C-section that takes them by surprise. Most likely not even preparing for one. There are a lot of different reasons why you may need to have a C-section. I want you to keep the following list in mind, so you can prepare for it just in case and so you can be informed about the different circumstances as to why you may need a C-section.
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Having a C-section is a major surgery and doctors will only suggest one if you experience any of the following.
8 common and shocking reasons you may need a C-section
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1.Your labor is at a standstill
You may have a C-section if you find yourself in a labor standstill. Let’s say you went to the hospital with labor pains and labor is progressing and all of a sudden, NOTHING! You stopped having contractions, you stopped dialating and labor overall is not progressing as it should. Your doctor may suggest a C-section at this point.
C-section postpartum girdle:
2. Baby may be in a breech position
Another common reason why you may need a C-section is if your baby is in a breech position. This means that your baby’s head is not in the favorable head down and close to the birth canal position. A breech position is when your baby’s feet or buttocks are in the position of being delivered first. The reason I had a C-section with my twin pregnancy is because my daughter (twin B) was in a breech position.
If your baby is in the transverse lie position which means that your baby is in a sideways position. You may also need a C-section.
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3.Your baby has an abnormal heart pattern
Once you are in the labor and delivery room, you will be strapped to an electronic fetal monitoring machine. Which records your baby’s heartbeat and your contractions. If in any case, your doctor sees an abnormal heart rate pattern, he or she may decide to deliver the baby via an emergency C-section. There are different variables as to why your baby may have an abnormal heart pattern. The faster you delivery your baby, the better chances of doctors taking care of your baby and making sure that everything is okay.
My aunt had an emergency C-section with her first born because her baby girl had an abnormal heart rate. It showed that she wasn’t receiving enough oxygen and therefor had to be delivered immediately. This was definitely a scary and shocking situation for my aunt and family. But, thankfully after giving birth, both did great!
4. Pregnant with multiples
Hello there pregnant mama of multiples, welcome to the club! If you’re carrying multiples then you were most likely given a scheduled C-section date. Depending on your babies weight, birth position and what month you’re in, you will be recommended to have a C-section. Always speak to your doctor about your options and possibility of having a vaginal birth.
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5.Baby may be too large
This may be a bit shocking to you because it was to me. But, doctors may decide that it’s best for you to have a C-section if you are carrying a large baby. Having a vaginal birth may not be an option if you have a small pelvic and your baby’s head cannot fit through the birth canal.
6. You may have a health condition
If you have gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or a heart condition. The safest way for you to give birth is through a C-section. Always speak to your care provider about the safest options for you and your baby.
7. Umbilical cord
Sometimes your baby’s neck can be wrapped in the umbilical cord(nuchal cord) and can be of great danger to him/her. It can easily block your baby’s oxygen supply and therefor a C-section delivery is the only option.
Also, if your baby experience cord prolapse, he or she can be in great danger as well. Why? Well because your baby may be pressing on your cervix and therefor blocking their oxygen supply.
8. You had a previous C-section
Another common reason as to why you may need a C-section is if you already had a previous C-section. My mom had three C-sections, with her first, second and third pregnancy. You may indeed have a regular vaginal birth if you had a previous C-section, this is called a V-bac.
You may have a limit of only delivering via C-sections three times. This is because after that it is not considered safe (hint: my mom could only have 3 C-sections)
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Quick recap:
As you read there are many different reasons as to why your doctor may believe having a C-section is safer for you to deliver your baby. Even if you are set on having a normal vaginal birth, things happen and an emergency C-section may occur. Have an open mind regarding your birth plan and have these 8 common and shocking reasons you may need a C-section in mind. You just never know, once you go into labor things can change really quick. Your health and your baby’s health will always be a priority to your doctor.
Here’s a quick recap of the reasons you may need a C-section:
- Labor not progressing
- Baby is in the breech or transverse position
- Baby has an abnormal heart pattern
- You are pregnant with multiples
- Baby is too large
- You have a health condition
- Umbilical cord issues
- You had a previous C-section
Did you have a C-section, what was the reason for it?
I hope you found this article helpful, pregnancy is a beautiful thing and so is being informed and prepared when it comes to labor 🙂
Never be afraid to ask your care provider about all of your birth options.
This is so wrong! None of these are straight off the bat reasons to have a section. You are misinforming people! My baby’s heart rate dropped and I had forceps not a section. Most of my friends with GD had vaginal births, breech babies can and are frequently birthed vaginally, as are large babies! A section is a major operation not a decision to be taken lightly!
Hi Luisa! Thank you for your comment. Sorry you feel I am misinforming people, that is never my intentions.Yes, there are situations where you can have a vaginal birth if your baby is breech or baby’s heart rate drops. But only if doctors feel that it’s safe to do so. It’s always best to speak with your health care provider about the possibility of delivering via vaginal. I am sharing these tips from personal experience, family and friends experiences and research to help my moms. Like I wrote in the title of my post “may need a C-section” .There’s always a chance like you, that did end up having a vaginal birth. Thank you so much for commenting, as it will help others moms too.
This is a great post for all pregnant moms to read, even if they aren’t planning on having a C-section!
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Hey! Just a reminder that times have definitely changed with the number of c-sections. It used to be that way. I just had my second and the doctor said I could go as many as 5 or 6.
Hey Bayla! Thanks, that’s awesome to know!
I used to think it was bogus that some babies are “too big” for a normally birth. However after two failed vaginal births leading to emergency c-sections, I KNOW that some women have too shallow a pelvis . And i was with a midwife so I wasn’t pressured by doctors to choose surgery. I can’t imagine doing this 3 or more times though! It’s hard!
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Hi Stacey! Totally agree with you, some women do have too shallow a pelvis. My cousin’s wife actually gave birth about two weeks ago and she had to have a C-section because her baby was “too big” to be delivered via vaginal. It does happen! And going through a C-section and recovering from it, it’s hard. I know, I gave birth to my twins via C-section. So I can relate!