Whether you’re navigating pregnancy for the first time or have already birthed several children in the past, no two pregnancies are exactly the same. What causes a problem for you in one instance might be irrelevant in another. This is one of many reasons it’s important for your Illinois obstetrician (OB) or midwife to closely monitor your health, as well as your baby’s progress, in utero and during labor, delivery and postpartum.
The average OB is able to recognize certain problematic issues that would constitute a legitimate reason to order a C-section. Throughout your pregnancy, labor and the birth of your baby, you can expect your medical team to be alert and ready to take appropriate action if a problem arises that places you or your child at risk.
Scheduled, unexpected or emergency C-sections
Your OB is trained to recognize signs of maternal or fetal distress. If a vaginal delivery would not be safe for you or your baby, he or she can schedule a C-section delivery ahead of time. It’s protocol to do so in some hospitals if you have had a C-section with a previous pregnancy. It’s also possible that you might be nearing your due date when your OB determines a need to change course and deliver your baby by C-section instead of completing the vaginal delivery.
While an unexpected change of events can be disappointing, it’s sometimes necessary in order to help you or your child avoid adverse health conditions or injury. Finally, your OB might order an emergency C-section. This can occur even if your C-section delivery is already scheduled.
Common issues that prompt an OB to order a C-section
The following list includes numerous pregnancy-related issues that an average OB would find concerning and, perhaps, reason to order a C-section:
- Your baby is in a compromised position, such as breech or posterior.
- Labor is not progressing, and it’s placing you or your child at risk.
- You have gestational diabetes.
- Your blood pressure has risen to a dangerous level.
- Your baby’s heart rate is too low.
- The umbilical cord is tangled.
- You have developed placenta complications.
- A uterine rupture has occurred.
While these are not the only issues that would be a legitimate reason to perform a C-section, each of these issues would be a high-risk situation by an OB or midwife. If you or your child are experiencing distress, swift diagnosis and action may be necessary to avoid birth injuries.
Medical negligence may result in injury
If your OB or midwife fails to properly monitor your condition or disregards signs of maternal or fetal distress, an otherwise healthy pregnancy and safe delivery may quickly become disastrous.
Medical negligence is often the cause of birth injury in Illinois and throughout the country. If you believe this was a causal factor in an injury you or your child suffered in pregnancy, labor or delivery, you can connect with patient advocates to discuss the situation.