When Should Doctors Perform A C-Section?
Depending on the medical situation, the doctor will need to determine if a C-Section is necessary. An early detection of possible medical issues along with paying close attention to the mother and baby lowers the risk of an injury occurring. Conditions that may require a C-Section are as follows:
Uterine Rupture: This occurs when the uterus becomes detached. This is considered a serious medical emergency since it can lead to massive blood loss in the mother, which in turn can result in a decrease in the blood and oxygen for the baby, causing a brain injury.
Failure Of The Labor & Delivery To Progress: As the name suggests, the mother does not move through the stages of labor.
Cord Prolapse: This occurs when the umbilical cord is delivered before the baby. The umbilical cord compression acts as a serious threat of injury to the baby, which eventually leads to a brain injury.
Placenta Previa: This is when the placenta covers the cervix.
Placental Abruption: This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus. This too is a medical emergency which can lead to a baby suffering from a brain injury.
Fetal Distress: This occurs when the baby’s heart rate is too low (bradycardia) for an extended period, or too high (tachycardia) for an extended period of time. This is when the fetal heart monitor can reveal these situations, along with other things such as late decelerations and minimal variability. The strip can move from a Category I (normal) strip to a non-reassuring Category III (Abnormal) strip. When fetal distress is present, oxygen deprivation and fetal hypoxia, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy must be considered. Due to an HIE event, cerebral palsy can be the result in some cases.

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