Reasons why the average obstetrician might order a C-section

On Behalf of | May 10, 2019 | Uncategorized

If there’s a life experience that might make you feel excited and terrified all at once, it’s having a baby. From approximately nine months of pregnancy through hours of labor and delivery and after-care, you will likely go through things you’ve never encountered up to this point in your life. This is especially true if you are having your first child, but also possible if you’re a mother of several children because no two pregnancies or childbirth situations are exactly the same.

Advanced technology and higher-level education enable New Mexico obstetricians and medical teams to provide much stronger support and higher quality care to patients. Certain issues that would undoubtedly have proved fatal 100 years ago are resolvable today in emergency situations. Safety of baby and mother often depends on the doctor in charge knowing when to order a Cesarean section delivery.

Problem issues that would prompt a C-section

From a medical standpoint, the ultimate goal for you as a pregnant woman is to achieve a successful vaginal delivery. However, that’s not always possible, and a doctor’s quick-thinking and swift action can help you or your child avoid serious injury. The following list shows reasons why most obstetricians would order C-sections:

  • Cephalopelvic disproportion: During your prenatal care appointments, one of the things your medical team does is measure and estimate the size of your baby. If his or her head is too large to fit through your pelvis, it would necessitate a C-section delivery.
  • Labor is taking too long: No two labors unfold quite the same way. If your doctor notices that your labor has stalled to a point that might endanger your or your baby’s health, it is likely that he or she would deliver the baby by C-section.
  • Signs of fetal distress: From the moment you check into the hospital until you leave, your medical team monitors your baby’s progress. If, at any time, the fetal heart rate drops too low, goes too high or other signs of distress alert them to a problem, it may be necessary for them to deliver your baby as fast as possible, which usually means performing a Cesarean section.
  • A scheduled C-section: If your doctor has determined that you are in a high-risk category, he or she may tell you that scheduling a C-section ahead of time is the best way to keep you and your baby safe. 

You might fall under that category, for instance, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Certain conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, can surface later in pregnancy but would definitely have doctors on alert that a C-section may be necessary, as well. This is why it’s so important to obtain quality prenatal care, because your doctor can spot many problem issues long before you go into labor and can help you reduce your risk for childbirth injuries.

What if the doctor fails?

In a perfect world, every childbirth story would have a happy ending. In reality, some situations end tragically, especially if medical neglect occurs. If your doctor fails to diagnose a condition that the average obstetrician would not only recognize but would know what steps to take to keep you and your baby safe, the consequences might be that you or your baby suffer serious illness or injury. New Mexico parents who suffer damages from medical malpractice are able to seek monetary judgment against those deemed liable for injury.

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