C-sections are routine, with around 30% of all babies in the United States being delivered in this fashion. However, a C-section is still major surgery. You cannot expect to recover from a C-section as quickly as you would from vaginal birth. After a C-section, you have to be prepared for the fact that you are going to need to take things easy. It is going to be a while until you are back up to full speed.
Recovery Time
Full recovery time from a C-section can be up to eight weeks. Immediately following birth, you can expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days and possibly longer if complications arise. You need to take it easy on your body and get plenty of rest following a C-section. This may be easier said than done with a newborn around, especially if you are a single parent.
Enlist help from family and friends and spend as much time in bed as your baby allows. You should also avoid lifting anything heavier than your babies or any unnecessary actions like climbing the stairs. If your bedroom is upstairs, have your spouse or a friend or family member move your bed down to your living room while you recover.
Sex will be off the table for weeks following a C-section, and you should take care even with small things like holding your abdomen to protect the incision site when you sneeze or cough.
Reasons for Performing C-sections
There are many reasons why a C-section may be performed, and over half of these procedures are scheduled in advance when an unnecessary risk is present during pregnancy. Some of the reason a C-section may be scheduled in advance include:
● Fetal macrosomia
● Abnormal fetal presentation
● Placenta previa
● Birth canal obstruction
Fetal Macrosomia
Fetal macrosomia is when a fetus is abnormally large, with a weight exceeding eight pounds and 13 ounces. This condition presents in about 10 percent of pregnancies and warrants the scheduling of a C-section. Trying to push an abnormally large baby through the birth canal can pose a serious risk to both mother and child.
Abnormal Fetal Presentation
In a vaginal birth, you ideally want the baby to come out head-first and face-up. Most of the time, a baby will rotate into this position near the end of pregnancy. When a baby does not move into the normal position, it can pose a serious threat to the safety of the delivery. When detected ahead of your due date, a doctor will likely schedule a C-section.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta, which is usually located at the top of the uterus, is too low and is near or covering the cervix. This rare condition almost always results in the scheduling of a C-section.
Birth Canal Obstruction
The most common type of birth canal obstruction is a uterine fibroid. A uterine fibroid is a noncancerous tumor, which can obstruct the birth canal. These tumors are found in nearly 10 percent of all pregnancies and necessitate a C-section.
Beyond scheduled C-sections, there are reasons for performing an emergency C-section.
One cause of this situation is when the fetus is in distress, with vital signs not at optimal levels. Another reason for an emergency C-section is if there are problems with the umbilical cord, such as it being wrapped around the baby’s neck. A third common cause for an emergency C-section is if the placenta is failing to deliver proper levels of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Possible Consequences of a Delayed C-section
When any of the problems above are detected by a doctor, it is standard procedure to perform a C-section. The risks of vaginal birth are too high to go ahead with that course of action. Failure to do so has a strong possibility of leading to a birth injury. When a doctor fails to recognize the danger in a pregnancy early enough, they may be guilty of medical malpractice if the pregnancy results in a birth injury.
It is the duty of a doctor to perform all necessary tests to determine if there is a problem with a fetus that may call for a C-section. When a doctor misses signs that point to the necessity of a C-section, or they observe the signs but fail to follow standard protocol and a delayed C-section leads to a birth injury, you will have a very good case in suing the doctor for compensation.
If your baby was hurt as the result of a delayed C-section, contact a lawyer who handles birth injury lawsuit & injury cases to discuss your options. A birth injury can be very costly, and those costs extend far beyond financial issues. A qualified birth injury lawyer can help you get the money you deserve so that you and your baby can live your best lives.
