Cesarean Birth – When it cannot be avoided

Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of your baby through a cut that is made at your lower belly .It is also known as cesarean section or C-section. It is usually done when there is serious medical issue that is inevitable.

Most times reasons for cesarean birth is known even before labour sets in while sometimes it is the dangers a doctor foresees during labour that tells if there would be need for cesarean section.

Reasons for cesarean section before labour begins

1)A baby has defects that would get worse if vaginal birth is used to deliver him.

2)A mother has health issue that will make vaginal birth difficult. For instance:

-if you have genital herpes infection or STD that is severe, your baby may be infected during virginal child birth.

-If you have heart problem that may get worse if you go through the stress of labour.

-If you have HIV/AIDS, it would be most noble to have cesarean birth.

Reasons for cesarean section during labour

1)The baby’s position is breeched. A baby is meant to have his head down into the birth canal during normal birth but when his bottom comes first or he lies sideways, it becomes difficult to safely deliver him.

2) When the baby’s head is not channeling into the birth pelvis.

3) If the umbilical cord is coming before the baby through the cervix.

Why cesarean is not safe

Vaginal birth remains the best birth option because it is safer and less expensive.

1)Existence of pain after weeks or months after child birth

2) Increased risk of having infection.

3)It is difficult taking care of baby after birth.

4)It poses risk for subsequent pregnancy if not managed well.

How cesarean birth is performed in the theatre

Before the cesarean section, below your belly will be shaved to make space for the cut (incision). You will be given antacid to reduce acid level in your stomach and a fetal monitor will be used to check the heart of your baby.

You will be taken to the surgery room right there you will be given anesthesia to kill pain, it make the lower part of of your body numb. Trembling, and drop in the blood pressure and vomiting are common or associated with anesthesia injection which could be spinal or epidural anesthesia. A catheter is connected to your bladder to drain urine, then your belly is washed with antiseptic to make it germ free.

Your belly is covered with a surgical sheet with whole that centers on the spot where the incision will be made. The doctors will cut the portion in your belly that has been washed and sterilized. Two incisions will be made the first is on your skin and second on the uterus, you may not feel pain while the surgery is going on but may feel pressure and pulling. The doctor brings out the baby and sucks out mucus and fluids out of his mouth and nose, then cuts the cord. The placenta is removed and the incision on your belly and uterus is closed back.

After cesarean section, if you are strong enough, the doctor gives you your baby to cuddle and establish bond with him. You will be moved to special care unit where you will be monitored and given anesthesia when necessary to relieve pain.

Complications in Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be threatened even when it is not expected. Some complications in pregnancy are severe such that you will need urgent medical attention. The complications develop from many factors such as diabetes, hypertension and even STDs (Sexually Transmitted Disease) such as syphilis, Chlamydia and other conditions such as virus, bacteria and parasites. The possible pregnancy complications that can harm you and your developing fetus are:
Gestational diabetes.

This is quite a common complication that develops; between 2 and 7% of women develop this condition. If this condition is not treated it can increase your risk miscarriage and even death of the fetus and also thyroid problems. This generally develops during the second trimester (14-28 weeks) This can be treated with insulin to manage your blood sugar levels.

Amniotic fluid

This is a complication that develops from a very high polyhydramnios (having too much amniotic fluid in the womb) It occurs in about 1in 250 pregnancies or very low Oligohydramnios (having too little amniotic fluid in your womb). Too much amniotic fluid causes pressure on your uterus and may lead to pre-term delivery puts pressure on your diaphragm, which leads to breathing problems.
Too little amniotic fluid leads to poor fetal growth, post-term delivery, birth defects such as urinary tract abnormalities.

Placental complications

Complications of placenta are placental abruption (wherein the placental lining has separated from the uterus of the mother. It is the most common cause of late pregnancy bleeding. In humans, it refers to the abnormal separation after 20 weeks of gestation and prior to birth. It occurs in 1% of pregnancies) and placental previa ( your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix).
Premature detachment of a normally situated placenta is placental abruption where the exact cause for this condition is unknown. The detachment may be partial or complete. Placental previa is the condition where the placenta is located in lower segment of the uterus, partially or completely covering the opening of the cervix. It leads to severe bleeding during second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The exact cause of placental previa is not known.

Preeclampsia (high blood pressure)

The development of high blood pressure. It generally occurs after about 20 weeks it is also known as toxaemia.

Ectopic pregnancy

This is a complication where the development of the fetus takes place outside of the uterus or even in the fallopian tubes. It is also known as a tubal pregnancy.

Rh Factor

The Rh factor in your blood type can cause harm to your baby. If the mother is Rh negative and her partner Rh positive, the combination results in a baby with Rh positive. In this condition, when the blood transfers from mother to the child, the red blood cells will break down leading to anaemia.

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is an unintentional or sudden loss of pregnancy. This type of pregnancy complication develops mostly due to age, gene factors, malnutrition, environmental hazards, hormonal problems, etc.

When it’s not your fault (woman) -Infertility in men

A lot of men often find it hard to believe that they could be infertile. Male infertility cause was not a popular subject centuries ago. This is because old beliefs point a female as the main culprit when a couple is unable to bear children.
Present studies reveal that men and women both take responsibility when it comes to issues with infertility. Men can be a likely suspect of infertility as women.
A lot of men are not aware that they are infertile. The reason is because they do not know nor understand the different male infertility cause.
Here are five male infertility causes that you should know or discuss with your spouse:
1. Varicocele - This is a male infertility cause wherein the vein in the scrotum is swollen and enlarged. This condition can have radical effect to the quality of the sperm. The sperm may decrease in number and its motility may decline.
2. Low Sperm Count - A male's low sperm count is the most common male infertility cause. According to the World Health Organization, you must have a normal sperm count of 20 million sperms per one milliliter of semen. If test results indicate that you only have 10 million sperms or lower, you have a greater chance of being infertile.
3. Abnormal Shape and Motility of Sperm - Motility is characterized by the sperm's unique ability to move and swim towards the awaiting egg. There are males born with abnormal shape and motility of the sperm. Motility is important because this gives the sperm its needed potency to survive the long and difficult journey towards the woman's uterus. When these two are not in their best conditions, infertility is highly probable.
4. Abnormal Testicular Development - Another male infertility cause is when one is born with an abnormality of the testicles. This condition causes the normal X and Y chromosomes to become two X and one Y. This reason of infertility is one that has been present since the day you were born and no other reason of its occurrence expect that it probably runs in the family. An abnormal development in the testicles may result to low sperm production as well as low testosterone. Testosterones are hormones secreted in the testes.
5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - Certain STDs can become male infertility cause. They often cause scarring and may block the pathway of the sperm. When this happens, you are not able to release enough sperm into the woman's uterus and a conception may not happen. Some examples of STDs that can cause infertility in men are Chlamydia and gonorrhea. There also certain infections such as mumps that have damaging effect on fertility. It is best to avoid this condition especially that it is common among children and may affect even at a young age.