What are my chances of having a Cesarean delivery?
Cesarean section rates in the U.S. vary from year to year, and differ among regions, generally occurring at a lower incidence in the western and midwestern states than in other areas of the country. The rates also are affected by the risk status of the mother and fetus. Primary C-section rates (the chance of having a C-section, never having had one before) in the U.S. are about 14%, and total C-section rates are approximately 21%. Why would I need a C-section? Most C-sections are performed for problems related to a mismatch between the fetal head and the mom’s pelvis. These are discovered when the labor process becomes stalled after initial progress. A lack of progress may occur in the last stage of labor, when the woman is ten centimeters and pushing, or earlier, before the cervix is completely dilated. Other indications for C-section involve breech presentation, placenta previa, fetal distress, very large infants, previous uterine surgery, and medical problems or diseases. When will
