Birth - Caesarean Delivery
Introduction
The term "caesarean" comes from the historic description of Julius Ceasar's birth, though probably ficticious as his mother Aurelia survived his birth. The procedure involves surgically cutting skin, abdominal wall and uterus to allow abdominal delivery.
The rate of caesarean delivery compared to normal vaginal birth is variable between countries (12-25%, 20% of all births in Australia) and increasing, particularly in older women. There are a number of different explanations as to why this is occuring, including maternal or fetal complications of either development or delivery.
Importantly this is a maternal surgical procedure which requires time for recovery and there are several studies that have looked also into the effects of caesarean delivery on potential future normal vaginal births.
Please note the UK/Australian "Caesarean" versus USA "Cesarean" spelling differences. Clinically, cesarean section may also be abbreviated to c-section or C/S.
Video Webcast: Hartford Hospital Cesarean Childbirth (September 23rd, 2005)
Some Recent Findings
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Caesarean Medical Reasons
Listed below are the main medical resons for considering a Caesarean.
- If your baby is positioned bottom first
- If you have a viral infection
- If you are expecting twins
- If your baby is small
- If your baby is premature
Comparison Caesarean Rate 1999
Image from: The National Sentinel Caesarean Section Audit Report (UK)
USA Caesarean Rate by Gestational Age
Trial of Labor
Trial of Labor (TOL) or trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is a term used in relation to the offer for a normal vaginal delivery after a previous cesarean delivery. The resulting birth is described as vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), in recent years this option has been decreasing while the general caesarian rate increases.
Positive Factors
(increased likelihood of successful VBAC)
- Maternal age <40 years
- Prior vaginal delivery (particularly prior successful VBAC)
- Favorable cervical factors
- Presence of spontaneous labor
- Nonrecurrent indication that was present for prior cesarean delivery
Negative Factors
(decreased likelihood of successful VBAC)
- Increased number of prior cesarean deliveries
- Gestational age >40 weeks
- Birth weight >4,000 g
- Induction or augmentation of labor
Links: USA Guideline, updated 2005
References
Reviews
Articles
Search PubMed
Search Pubmed: Caesarean Delivery | Cesarean Delivery
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, April 19) Embryology Birth - Caesarean Delivery. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Birth_-_Caesarean_Delivery
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G