Cesarean Birth
In a Nutshell
A cesarean birth is where a baby is born surgically through the abdominal wall instead of through the vagina. There are many reasons why people are faced with a cesarean birth.
There are still many things you can choose to do to preserve the physiology and bonding of a vaginal birth. This new cesarean philosophy is called a “Family-Centered Cesarean” and is being practiced in more and more hospitals every day.
Dig Deeper
There are "hard" reasons and "softer" reasons as to why someone might choose to birth by cesarean.
"Hard" Reasons
- Placenta previa: Where the placenta implants over the cervix, or "door" to the womb preventing the baby from coming out (see illustration at right)
- Cord prolapse: When the umbilical cord falls through the cervix ahead of the baby
- Fetal Distress: Prolonged and deep dips to baby's heart rate
- Certain birth defects
"Softer" Reasons
*If your provider
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Birth by Cesarean