What is a Cesarean birth?
It is a birth in which the baby is delivered not vaginally, but through an incision made in your abdomen and uterus. What are some reasons for a Cesarean birth? • Labor does not dilate the cervix enough for the baby to move down the birth canal. • The mothers pelvis is too small for the baby to pass through (cephalopelvic disproportion or CPD). • The placenta is in the wrong position (placenta previa) or is already separating before labor begins (placenta abruptio). • The umbilical cord, which supplies nourishment to the baby and gets rid of wastes, is in the wrong position (prolapsed cord). • The baby is in the wrong position (breech or transverse) for a vaginal birth. • The baby shows signs of intolerance of labor. • There is a prolonged rupture of membranes. • The mother has a medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infection or previous uterine incisions. How will I be prepared? • A fetal (baby) monitor will be applied shortly after you arrive in the hospital. • Bl
