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