Most pregnant women have their babies vaginally. Still, the rate of babies born by cesarean section (C-section) in the United States is on the rise. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 1 in 3 babies in the United States is delivered by cesarean section. Many experts think that up to half of all C-sections are unnecessary. Please see the C-section link for additional information.

This is hard to know. Each person is different and this may depend on the reason for your first cesarean or how your surgery was done. Some people should not try to have a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) and others may not want to try due to the risks or benefits of each. You should talk with your health care provider and make an informed decision about what is right for you.

A c-section (also known as a cesarean section or cesaerean section) is the procedure of delivering a baby via an abdominal incision.

Personally, I have zero fear of VBACs/HBACs or even UBACs as long at the mother feels empowered and healthy. Problems, should they come up, can be dealt with as needed. Unfortunately, these days, I appear to be in the minority. To be fair, there are several different concerns for women who have previously delivered their babies surgically.

a breed, they have large heads and small hips and therefore small birth canals. Puppies can easily get stuck in the birth canal. This makes whelping much more difficult on the bitch, and can possibly cause respiratory distress. In this situation, there is a chance of losing both the bitch and any puppies that are stuck. Additionally, bulldog bitches, due to their high tolerance for pain, often ignore nature's signals to "push" the puppies out.

Once you have had an incision in your uterus, it is weaker in that area. When labor begins, that weakened area can rupture. Although the chance of a rupture is only about one percent, it can be catastrophic, leading to severe problems, even death of the mother or fetus. You must speak with your physician about the risks and benefits of avoiding a cesarean section. In some cases, with close observation, you can attempt a vaginal birth.

If your cesarean section is either scheduled in advance or a non-scheduled c-section that is NOT an emergency, usually ONE person can be with you. This is decided on a case by case basis, depending on the circumstances. In the event of a maternal or fetal emergency, we request that the coach not be in the OR.

Yes you can. Most women find that after having a C-Section, a flat abdomen is very difficult to obtain and they are thrilled with the results.

This is a great question - and in the United States there are two major camps right now with very different answers. On one side are proponents of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (usually abbreviated VBAC and pronounced vee-back). On the other are those who feel that the risks are too high and that an elective or scheduled c-section is the best option for a mother who had already undergone the procedure in the past. The risk to which they refer is uterine rupture. Both sides have studies.

elective c-section is a cesarean which is performed at the request of the mother without any medical need. Usually scheduled to precede the mother going into labor, a date is selected and an operating room reserved for the cesarean delivery of a child. While many women with specific health issues or prior cesarean sections have long scheduled c-sections, elective c-sections have become more common in recent years.

From the Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth:"The available data on outcomes after a trial of labour in women who have had more than one previous caesarean section show that the overall vaginal delivery rate is little different from that seen in women who have had only one previous caesarean section."... and also ..

Although you will need more support and help after the operation, there is no reason to give up breastfeeding. Many mothers have breastfed successfully even after serious medical interventions during labour. It is important to inform everyone attending the birth that your intention is to breastfeed and that you do not want to give anything else to baby even if you are still under sedation.

Your anesthesiologist will use the epidural for the surgery. This involves a larger dose of medication which will make your entire abdomen numb. Occasionally, if the epidural does not provide enough pain relief, your doctor may elect to place another epidural, a spinal block or administer general anesthesia.

The collection process proceeds essentially the same way with a cesarean section as it would in a natural birth and only ViaCord can offer you an FDA-approved, preloaded cord blood collection bag for use in sterile C-sections.

Direct Entry Midwives are not required to have formal back up arrangements. We are independent practitioners. Midwives do all of your prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care. However, should the need arise to consult with a physician, we make arrangements for a doctor to see you. The genuine need for a cesarean delivery is lower, statistically, than you may realize, especially in the population of low risk mothers, who qualify for out of hospital delivery.

Even when a cesarean section is needed, participants still find childbirth classes a valuable experience. Classes will cover issues surrounding a cesarean section birth, teach relaxation skills for before and after the cesarean section and cover many other topics that are relevant to pregnancy, birth (whether vaginal or by cesarean section) breastfeeding and the postpartum period.

The new mom recovering from a c-section is recovering from major abdominal surgery. Stairs are often very challenging if not altogether 'banned'. Create a space in the main area of your home for the mom to nest. In my house it was our lay-z-boy in the living room. A table should be nearby and sturdy enough to hold a few books, a telephone (whose ringer can be turned off), a big glass of water and a small plate of snacks.