Assisted birth and caesarean birth

Caesarean birth

Around one in four Australian babies is birthed by caesarean section. A caesarean section is usually performed under regional (spinal or epidural) anaesthesia. However, sometimes general anaesthesia is required.

A caesarean section is a major surgical operation in which your baby is born through a cut in your abdomen and uterus.

Elective caesarean births are planned in advance because of existing problems with your pregnancy, or if you have had a previous caesarean.

Emergency caesarean births - usually the decision to perform an emergency caesarean is made during the course of labour. An emergency caesarean birth is recommended for the following reasons:

• there is concern for your baby’s wellbeing
• there is concern for your wellbeing
• there is a life-threatening emergency for you or your baby.

More information: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby – Caesarean

Elective caesarean birth

A planned or elective caesarean birth is required when there is a medical need for the operation. Medical reasons for having a planned caesarean birth include, but are not limited to:

• severe pre-eclampsia
• multiple births
• position of the baby – your baby may be in an abnormal position inside the uterus, making vaginal birth difficult
• placenta praevia – this is when the placenta blocks the exit to the uterus
• infection – if you have an active viral infection, such as genital herpes
• you have a medical condition – for example, a heart problem
• restricted growth of the baby
• previous caesarean birth.

More information:

• Raising Children Network – Your planned caesarean birth
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) – Caesarean section

Emergency caesarean birth

In an emergency, there may not be enough time to discuss the options of a caesarean birth. If vaginal birth poses significant risks to you or your baby’s health, a caesarean birth may be the safest option.

Reasons for needing an emergency caesarean birth include:

• Your baby cannot tolerate uterine contractions and gets distressed
• your labour is not progressing - despite your best efforts - causing distress to you and your baby
• your labour has been induced, but the methods used are failing to produce effective contractions
• you have vaginal bleeding during your labour
• an emergency where baby needs to be born very quickly and vaginal birth is not possible.

More information: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby – Emergency caesarean

In this guide:

1. Assisted birth – vacuum birth
2. Assisted birth – forceps birth
3. Caesarean birth
4. What can I expect for a caesarean birth?
5. Risks of caesarean birth

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