The birth of a new family member is a momentous occasion worthy of celebration, but health risks are also involved. Sometimes, a C-section is considered the most prudent course of action concerning both the mother’s and the child’s health. When determining if a C-section is safer for you, your doctor must consider a range of variables and find a balance concerning the unique circumstances at hand.
If you or your baby were injured as a result of medical malpractice during the birth process, seek the skilled legal guidance of our experienced birth injury lawyers in Harrisburg today.
C-Sections
C-sections are on the rise in the United States, and it’s estimated that about a third of all births are delivered via C-section – or cesarean section. The C-section delivery process involves cutting through the mother’s abdominal muscles and uterine wall to expose the baby for removal. Usually, C-sections implement an epidural to prevent pain, but they’re sometimes performed with anesthesia.
While babies can be delivered almost immediately when a C-section is performed, the recovery period for the mother is considerably longer than it likely would have been if she’d given birth vaginally. There are also health considerations for both the mother and baby.
Associated Risks
Both mother and child are subject to risks that are associated with C-sections, and these risks must be weighed with the benefits that apply to the case in question.
Risks to the Mother
Mothers who undergo the C-section process are subject to the following increased risks:
- Post-surgical infections
- Health issues related to anesthesia
- The danger of anesthesia errors
- Increased blood loss
- Surgical errors
- Deep vein thrombosis, which can be life-threatening
- Greater risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies, including the risk of a uterine rupture
Risks to the Baby
A C-section can put the baby at greater risk of all the following:
- Surgical errors, which can affect both mother and child
- Respiratory issues caused by the inhalation of fluids during the delivery
- A reduction in immune response due to lack of exposure to healthy bacteria that is experienced in vaginal births
- The potential for long-term health concerns, such as neurological disorders that are related to the drugs used during the surgery process
Balancing the Benefits with the Risks
It should also be said that C-sections can save the lives of both the mother and child involved. In other words, there are profound benefits and risks to consider. In determining whether you require a C-section, your doctor will weigh the medical need against the risk factors to make the best choice for you – given the unique circumstances.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists shares that C-sections are necessary when the baby can’t be delivered vaginally due to their positioning or because of health risks to either the mother or baby. And this should guide your doctor’s well-considered decision.
Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Birth Injury Attorneys in Harrisburg, PA, Today
The formidable Harrisburg birth injury lawyers at Marzella & Associates have reserves of experience guiding challenging birth injury claims toward beneficial conclusions, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 717-876-8681 and scheduling a free consultation today.