Caesarian sections

Birth after c-section

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Birth after c-section

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On this page we have included links to a number of organisations that offer information and support on matters relating to giving birth.

If you know of any other organisations that we should include please email the site at feedback@forparentsbyparents.co.uk.

What is a C-Section / Caesarian Section?

Vaginal delivery is the most common way to give birth, but a Caesarean section is often advised and performed in certain situations.

Caesarean sections are relatively safe and there has been a rise in the number of babies being delivered in this way. Most maternity units in the UK deliver between 10 and 20 per cent of babies by Caesarean section.

Elective Section

A Caesarean which is be planned in advance. An elective Caesarean section is performed one to two weeks before the baby's due date. This is to ensure baby is mature before delivery.

Emergency Section

A Caesarean which is performed at short notice, particularly if there are complications or labour difficulties.

When is a Caesarean necessary?

Sometimes a Caesarean may be the only safe option, for example when:

the placenta lies too low in the uterus - covering the exit to the cervix (birth canal). This is called placenta praevia.
baby's health is threatened due to lack of oxygen.
there is vaginal bleeding and a natural delivery is not imminent.
the baby cannot be delivered easily because the umbilical cord has fallen forwards (cord prolapse).
the mother will be unable to deliver the baby herself.

A Caesarean may be considered the safest option even when a natural birth still possible:

if the baby is lying with its head upwards (breech baby).
if the mother is affected by high blood pressure or other illness.
if the unborn baby is too small or too weak to survive a natural birth.
if the mother has had a Caesarean birth before (although it is possible for a mother who's had a Caesarean to have a natural delivery in a later pregnancy).
in very rare cases, when the mother is so worried about the delivery that a Caesarean is considered.

If you would prefer to have a Caesarean section without a medical reason, you should discuss this with your midwife or obstetrician. There is no automatic right to demand a Caesarean if it's considered not to be in your best interests.

What is the Caesarean procedure?

At a Caesarean section there will be the surgeon (obstetrician) and his or her assistant, the anaesthetist and assistant, the scrub-nurse, two other nurses or midwives and a paediatrician.

Your partner can be present if the operation is being carried out under a spinal or epidural anaesthetic (local). General anaesthetic is rare for this procedure.

An incision of about 20cm is made across the lower abdomen. The baby is delivered through the skin after the womb is opened. The womb is easily opened and it takes only a few minutes for the baby to be born.

You will not see any activity, as there will be a screen in place. You will hear various tools being used - including a suction device removing the amniotic fluid. You will not feel pain but will have a strange feeling of people rummaging around inside you.

After the placenta (afterbirth) is delivered, the obstetrician closes the incision. Dissolving stitches or staples are used to close the skin. An uncomplicated Caesarean will take between 20 and 30 minutes.

Breastfeeding implications

It is possible to breastfeed after a Caesarian. If your stomach is sore after stitches, lie down on one side, propped up on a pillow and lay your baby down beside you with his or her feet next to your pillow, well away from your stomach. This is also a good position for feeding at night. Your midwife will recommend other good options.

Vaginal Birth After Caesarian - VBAC

Many women who have previously had a caesarean will currently be offered the option of an elective repeat caesarean section, rather than attempt vaginal birth. However, overall VBAC appears to be safer for mother and baby than elective caesarean.
Most women will be able to have a natural birth next time around.
Visit www.vbac.org.uk for more information.

Why the name?

Many people believe that Caesarian sections are named after the way Julius Caesar was born, but in fact Julius was named after the operation! The Latin verb 'to cut' is caedere, with its past participle caesus;

SUPPORT LINKS

For information or support related to premature babies click here

BirthChoiceUK

This non-commercial web site is aimed at pregnant women in the UK to help them choose where to give birth. This could mean choosing a hospital birth, giving birth in a birth centre or midwifery-led unit, or a home birth. Women are encouraged to think about the sort of birth they would like, using research-based information. A map of the UK shows them the maternity units local to them and the site gives maternity statistics for these. Women are provided with a list of questions they may like to ask when visiting their local maternity units to ensure that they choose to give birth in the place that gives them the best chance of having the sort of birth they want. The site also contains information of interest to maternity health professionals

www.BirthChoiceUK.com

Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS)

AIMS is a voluntary organisation that campaigns for the improvement of all aspects of maternity care. Through a network of members they offer support and information to parents, midwives, doctors and other health professionals. They also publish a wide range of leaflets and booklets that enable parents to make informed choices about their care. A free publications list is available from:

AIMS
Manor Barn
Thurloxton
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 8RH

Tel: 0870 765 1433

Fax: 020 8390 4381

www.aims.org.uk

email: chair@aims.org.uk

Home Birth Reference Site

The aim of this site is not to persuade you to choose home birth but rather to provide information about home birth, for parents who think that it might be the right choice for them, and for health professionals looking for facts and ideas.

Research shows that planned home birth is safe for women with normal pregnancies - and 'normal' includes most first pregnancies. The summaries of research papers on the site - in plain English - will help you to look at the evidence for yourself.

www.homebirth.org.uk

Birth Crisis Network

The Birth Crisis Network is a help line in Britain that women can ring if they want to talk about a traumatic birth. They do not give advice. Instead they offer reflective listening. The caller may be given the number of another member of the Birth Crisis Network who is nearer her whom she can also ring, and can ring me back if she wishes.

Some women ring within a few weeks of giving birth. But usually it is later. For some it is months or years. Some are pregnant again. Another pregnancy often brings feelings of dread as to whether it is all going to happen again and emotions they hoped they had laid to rest become threatening.

Many women who are suffering from having been disempowered in birth are treated by GPs with anti-depressant drugs, when what they really need is to be able to talk with someone who understands, who does not try to explain or justify the treatment they received, or to criticise them and the way they feel about what happened to them, and who knows how to listen reflectively. This is what the Birth Crisis Network offers.

www.sheilakitzinger.com

The Active Birth Centre

Discover how you can make informed choices, and gain the confidence to be actively in charge of your pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

www.activebirthcentre.com

Kate Calvert
Publisher - Hardens Guides

London Baby Book 2003/2003

"This is a very comprehensive reference guide for anyone living in London as it includes obstetric intervention statistics for all London hospitals, details of different birth options for both NHS and private hospitals, listings and descriptions of over 1,000 shops and a directory of some 200 complementary practitioners who specialise in treating pregnant women and children.

It would also be a valuable resource for anyone living elsewhere in the country as there is information about mail order suppliers, over 500 support groups for every kind of issue, over 500 suggested books, over 1,500 websites."

www.hardens.com/guides/guides.htm

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