Reasons to Opt for a C-Section

A Cesarean section, or C-section, is a surgical procedure used to remove a baby from a pregnant woman's abdomen. This generally occurs when a woman experiences difficulties during her pregnancy and cannot deliver the baby vaginally. According to the National Institutes of Health, about one in four women deliver their babies through a C-section due to a variety of complications.

The Baby's Position and/or Size

• Sometimes a baby can be too big or situated in the wrong position during labor to safely move through the birth canal, making a C-section necessary, according to whattoexpect.com. If a mother has gained significantly more weight than recommended during pregnancy, it can cause the baby to have too high of a birth weight to be delivered vaginally. The same issue can result when a mother is pregnant with multiple babies.

  At the same time, if the baby is in a breech position (butt first) and can't be moved in the womb, a C-section must be performed to remove the baby as well.

  However, stalled labor is the most common reason women undergo C-sections, according to the Mayo Clinic. When this occurs, a woman's labor suddenly stops progressing, signaling possible complications. This is something that can happen if the cervix isn't opening wide enough during labor, for example, not allowing enough room for the baby to pass through vaginally.

Illnesses and Medical Issues

• Even if the baby's size and position are fine, an illness or medical issue could affect the delivery of the baby as well, and possibly jeopardize the baby's life if not delivered through C-section.

  If the mother has a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, a C-section may be recommended to decrease possible complications during the delivery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Or, if the mother has genital herpes or HIV/AIDS, delivery via C-section can decrease the possibility of passing those illnesses to the baby.

  Medical issues can arise before and during labor, as well. If an issue with the placenta arises, in which it covers the cervix during labor or it detaches from the uterus before labor, that can lead to serious issues as well if the baby is delivered vaginally.

  The same is true for a baby who may be suffering developmental problems as well. A C-section is also recommended for babies who, for example, have excess fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), to ensure a safer delivery.

Previous C-Sections and Elective C-Sections

• An expectant mother who had a C-section during a previous pregnancy may have to have a C-section when she delivers her next child. This can occur because the incision made during the surgery can often leave weak spots in the uterus, according to the NIH. Those weak spots sometimes cause problems if a woman attempts to give birth vaginally in the future.

  There are also cases in which women who have had C-sections in the past opt for C-sections during their current pregnancies to avoid complications that could occur during a vaginal delivery altogether.