SolveYourProblem Article Series: Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know

How To Avoid a C-Section
   

While many women actually prefer to have a cesarean section to not have to deal with labor or to avoid other medical complications, most women try to avoid cesarean sections while giving birth. When the majority of women picture birth, it is this great natural endurance that ends with the baby coming from the vagina. That isn’t always the case. Your age and some medical conditions can put you at higher risk for needing a c-section. Plus, some babies have difficulty getting into a good position to make a vaginal birth possible. In addition, shorter women tend to need more c-sections. These things can’t be helped, but there are many ways to reduce your risk of a cesarean birth.

The most obvious and most overlooked thing is to find a hospital that promotes vaginal birthing and has a low incidence of C-sections. Many women just assume that all hospitals are the same and that is not always the case. Screen the birthing center carefully and see what there stats are for vaginal verses C-section. If you don’t like what you hear, go to a different hospital. This might require finding another obstetrician as well, although this is not always the case.

When searching for the right hospital, you are looking for an overall yearly rate of less than 15 %. You need to find a doctor who is really on the vaginal birth side of the fence or consider a midwife. There are many doctors who want you to have a complication-free vaginal birth and also want to avoid giving c-sections. If this is a concern you have, discuss this with your doctor. Chances are, your doctor feels the same way.

Talk to you doctor about whether they are willing to use forceps or vacuum extraction. These are great tools of the trade and can help get a baby out if there is a problem with out having to cut you open. Some doctors are hesitant to use them and will suggest you go under the knife instead. However, forceps and vacuums are safe for mom and baby if used correctly. If you have concerns about these birthing tools, discuss your concerns with your doctor first. Make sure the doctor or midwife you pick has been properly trained and if their practice has many practitioners, inquire of their experience in case they are on call at your birth. Sometimes the littlest things can make a big difference in a delivery. See if your doctor does perineal massage to help the vagina stretch during delivery. Ask about episiotomies. This could be a much better choice than a C-section. An episiotomy won’t hurt as bad as the other and it heals quicker and has less risk of infection.

One of the biggest ways you help avoid a c-section is to take care of yourself. You can cut down your own risk by eating properly, getting adequate rest and exercise, and making sure you see your doctor as often as possible. The better health you are in, the more likely you will deliver vaginally and have no complication. Sleep as much as you can and rest when your body tells you to. Don’t overexert yourself or do any activities that could cause harm to you or the baby. Eat right by having a varied diet of good, quality nutritious foods. Avoid eating a lot of sugar or salt, which can lead to some nasty pregnancy related diseases. Make sure you get exercise of some kind daily. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you. Most doctors recommend cardiovascular exercise, such as aerobics, swimming, walking, or yoga. Just make sure you join a pregnancy fitness class or buy a video designed for pregnant women. Also make sure you do your Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles and have a better chance of a vaginal delivery. If you need to be treated for gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, do EXACTLY what your doctor tells you; this could be the difference in a vaginal birth or C-section. There is the chance no matter how hard you try, that something could happen to make a C-section necessary. Some things can’t be helped and often, medical intervention is the only way to ensure a healthy mom and baby. Don’t be too disappointed; the best thing is a happy healthy baby at the end of it all.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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