Healthcare providers in the delivery room need to make crucial decisions as time goes by. Thus, they need to closely monitor the mother and baby to ensure delivery is safe. One of the decisions a physician may need to make is ordering a cesarean (C) section.
Here is when this surgical procedure may be necessary:
Labor issues
If an expectant mother is experiencing labor issues, perhaps labor slows down, it may be necessary to perform a C-section. Labor may fail to progress as expected because the baby is not positioned normally or the mother’s pelvis is too small compared to the baby’s size. This may also occur due to dehydration and exhaustion.
Several things can be done to stimulate contractions, such as the mother changing positions, eating snacks and drinking fluids, engaging in relaxation techniques and resting. However, if contractions significantly slow down or stop, it might be time to perform a C-section.
Fetal distress
Some factors may cause a fetus to not receive enough oxygen during labor. This oxygen deprivation is known as fetal distress. Its symptoms include abnormal changes in the baby’s heart rate, reduced fetal movement and low amniotic fluid.
The baby should be closely monitored to notice these symptoms, and doctors may need to perform a C-section on time to avoid any potential harm.
Health concerns
If an expectant mother has certain health concerns, performing a C-section may be necessary. For instance, a mother with heart disease, preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine), eclampsia (seizures caused by severe preeclampsia), an active genital herpes infection or a large fibroid blocking the birth canal.
Cases of a mother needing to undergo a C-section but their doctor failing to order it soon enough have been reported. If such negligence harms you or your baby, you may want to learn how to pursue compensation.