How To Avoid Having A Caesarean: Pregnancy Tips

What is a caesarean section and what are its risks? It is an operation that enables the delivery of your baby through a cut (incision) on your pregnant belly or uterus. It is often referred to as c-section. In most cases the causes for a caesarean happens if your baby cannot be delivered vaginally (birth canal) and safely even though you want to reduce the chances of your labour ending with a surgical delivery.

For the past five years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of C-section operations. A C-section can be prepared or unpremeditated. In some of the cases, doctors go for a caesarean section because of problems that crop up during labour. You may have planned for an elective caesarean for medical reasons or later opted for an emergency caesarean when your labour does not go as anticipated. Usually emergency caesarean happens when the labour has already begun and it becomes all the more impossible to avoid a c-section.

DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT CAESAREAN DELIVERY?

Nowadays, more and more women are having caesarean births. Caesarean is a major abdominal surgery which includes all risks that are involved with a major surgery whether it is a longer stay at the hospital, longer and aching recovery, chances of high risk, higher complication for the next pregnancy, heavy blood loss, blood clots in mother’s legs or lungs, painful scarring, longer lasting pain, bowel obstructions, less success with breastfeeding, respiratory problems for the baby, initial less contact with the baby and breathing problems in the baby if born before the due date. Here are some tips on how you can avoid having a c-section.

Understand the risks involved with C-section

Some obstetricians may peddle about the safety of caesarean and the chances of averting perineal damage. However, according to research, vaginal birth is safer for both the mother and the baby compared to a surgical delivery. Caesarean delivery is a risk to the mother and the baby, so being prepared and aware of ways of how to avoid a c-section can benefit both of them. The delivery of a baby can never be a benign procedure when you opt for a C-section. The most common risks and unpleasant side effects of c-section are:

1.Delayed breastfeeding after caesarean

2.Wound infection

3.Delay in initial skin to skin contact between mother and the baby after the delivery

4.Abdominal scar endometriosis after caesarean section

5.Wound in the internal structures like bowel or bladder

Select a provider safely

If you are quite persistent about having a normal birth canal delivery and if it is vital for you, then find a doctor and a hospital supportive of normal vaginal deliveries and also believes caesarean sections can be avoided. Caesarean section can be an incredible life saver. However in case you don’t want to go for it, it’s always best to plan on how to avoid a c-section . To avoid having a c-section, find out if your maternity care provider/birth place has low-c-section rates. If your provider is not supportive, it's best to try to find a new care provider.

Having an open talk

Not every patient has the privilege to ask questions about whether a C-section is absolutely necessary. Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page on how to avoid c- section so that it can allow you to move forward and address concerns to keep your risk of caesarean section low.

Hire a doula (labour coach)

Can professional labour support help to avoid the odds of c-section? Yes, having someone to give emotional and physical support can make a huge difference especially when you hire a doula or a lab assistant who is comfortable in helping women feel safe and secure all the way through labour and birth at optimal levels.

Don’t get induced

One of the most commonly followed tips on how to avoid having a C-section happens to be just simply making sure to stay away from induction if you are a first time mom. If you walk into the room to have labour induction for bona fide reasons then your chances of ending up having a caesarean is greater.

Natural childbirth classes

Go for independent natural birth classes to avoid a c-section. Childbirth classes usually includes sessions that help moms-to-be to get to know ways on how to avoid c-section. A good instructor can make you feel confident about your body and the best possible normal birth process. Having an appointment with a chiropractor throughout your pregnancy can help prevent malpositons of your baby.

Avoid electronic foetal monitoring

Electronic foetal monitoring doesn’t help normal vaginal delivery. Using EFM can drastically increase the rate of caesarean. It does nothing to improve the outcome of the baby and increases the rate of c-section.

These are some of the possible ways on how you can avoid c-section and feel in control of the situation to make a better choice about your baby’s birth.