Not Planning on a C-Section? There are still things you should know.

One in three deliveries in America are c-sections, yet few women know they’ll need one more than a week in advance. Ask your doctor these questions early in your pregnancy to increase your general c-section awareness, understand your doctor’s views on c-section, and to be prepared for an emergency.

What circumstances cause you to perform c-sections with less than a week’s notice? What is my risk for each of these circumstances?

Does my medical history indicate an increased risk for any of the following complications if a c-section is needed?
• Adhesions
• Serious bleeding
• Blood clots
• Bowel, bladder, or other organ injury
• Reactions to medicines or anesthesia
• Uterine rupture

What measures do you take during a c-section to prevent complications? For example:
• Do you use an adhesion barrier as part of your standard procedure?
• Do you use powder-free surgical gloves?
• What do you do to control bleeding?
• What precautions do you take to prevent organ and nerve injury?
• What planning can we (patient and doctor) do now to reduce the risk of complications?

In an emergency, would my c-section be performed by the doctor on call? If so, do all the physicians in your group follow the same procedures?

What decisions can I make now so that I’m not pushed to make them under emergency circumstances?

Planning on having another child after your current pregnancy? You may also want to ask your doctor these questions:

What are your views on VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?

What do you do during a cesarean in order to improve my chances for a successful VBAC?