According to your individual situation, you should decide in consultation with your doctor how you would like to give birth. Your doctor can provide you with detailed information concerning the advantages and disadvantages of a natural birth and of a Caesarean section.
Planned Caesarean Section
If your doctor determines before the birth that a vaginal delivery would be too risky or impossible, or if you decide to have a Caesarean section due to personal reasons, this is referred to as a planned Caesarean section. In this case, the Caesarean section is performed in approximately the 38th week of pregnancy, in order to prevent the onset of contractions or rupture of the amniotic sac.
Unplanned Caesarean Section
If complications arise during the birth that could jeopardise the safety of mother and/or unborn child, an emergency Caesarean section must be formed under certain circumstances.
- Possible medical indications of a planned Caesarean section:
- Head/pelvis disproportion
- Child is in a breech or transverse position
- Birth canal blocked by the placenta
- Placenta dislodges itself from the wall of the uterus
- Risk of premature birth where the unborn child is too weak for a normal birth
- Malformation of the unborn child (e.g. open spine, spina bifida)
Under normal circumstances, you will be admitted to hospital several hours before the Caesarean section is due to be performed. Please remember that you should go into the operation on an empty stomach. A midwife will examine you, inform you of the operating procedure and will then accompany you to Surgery, where our Anaesthetics team will be preparing to monitor your heart activity and circulation. Accompanied by the OP team, your gynaecologist, the midwife and a paediatrician, the Anaesthetics team will assume responsibility for caring for you throughout the Caesarean section.
Caesarean Section Procedure
In normal circumstances, a Caesarean section is performed under regional anaesthesia (such as spinal or epidural anaesthesia) or under general anaesthesia. This enables you to experience the birth of your child in full consciousness. In a Caesarean section, the actual birth lasts only 5 to 10 minutes. The surgeon requires an additional 20 to 30 minutes to stitch up the incision.
If your husband wishes to attend the operation with you, please discuss this with your doctor.