Cesarean Section
Cesarean section is also known as C-section
- This is a major obstetrical surgery to deliver the baby through an incision (cut) on the abdomen and the uterus.
- It is associated with surgical risks and is only recommended when medically indicated.
- There are obstetrical reasons to perform a C-section
- Before the C-section, the anesthesia provider will give you a spinal or epidural anesthesia. These are the safest options to make your C-section a comfortable experience and to allow you and your significant other to enjoy the birth of your baby. General anesthesia is rarely used for C-section.
- At this time, most data still indicate that vaginal birth is still superior to C-section when it comes to mother and baby’s over all health so c-sections are only done when indicated.
Scheduled Cesarean Section
Schedule C-sections are performed when you:
- Had a previous C-section and do not want to labor again or it is unsafe for you to labor
- Malpresentation
- Abnormal placenta
- Defects of the baby
- Defect in the mother’s pelvis
- Certain uterine surgery compromising the integrity of the uterine muscle
- The recommendations are clearly for this procedure to be done after 39 weeks gestation c-sections are scheduled prior to 39 weeks only if medical criteria are meet.
Scheduled Induction—Pre-Operative Procedures
- Your provider will give you a scheduled date for the C-section. This can be subject to last minute changes in order to ensure maximum safety.
- 1-3 days before your scheduled C-section, you must:
- Go to Admission (3rd floor behind the Starbuck coffee stand) to fill out your pre-admission documents.
- Go to L&D to get laboratory documents for blood work.
- Go to the laboratory (3rd floor across from OB/GYN Clinic) to get your pre-operative blood work.
- Night before C-section: do not eat or drink after midnight.
- Call L&D 915 742-2455 no later than 5:00am. The L&D Staff will let you know if there are rooms available. If there are rooms, be present on L&D no later than 6:00am.
Unplanned Cesarean Section
- These are C-sections performed while the woman is in labor or with rupture of membrane
- Reasons for unplanned C-section
- The cervix fails to open up during labor (Arrest of Dilation)
- The baby fails to come down far enough for Operative Vaginal Delivery or an unsuccessful trial of operative vaginal delivery (Arrest of Descent)
- Non-reassuring fetal heart tracing
- Patients with Planned C-section going into labor/ruptured membrane before the scheduled date
- Active Genital Herpes Infection when in labor/rupture of membrane
- Multiple gestation (especially twins) when the first baby is not head down
- Other reasons that you and your Providers will discuss if labor is not an optimal option for your pregnancy
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Supported at WBAMC OB provider available on L&D unit 24/7 to ensure safety.