Unnecessary C-sections risky for mother and baby

Who needs a C-section?

1. Overweight mothers. Pregnant women with a body mass index of 30 or more likely need a C-section. Almost 35 percent of the women above the age of 20 today fit this category.

Doctors say fat women tend to have fat babies, making it difficult to push them out normally. The excess tissue can prevent the baby from moving smoothly through the birth canal. Overweight women usually have other associated problems, like high blood pressure, which might result in premature labor and the need for a C-section.

2. Older mothers. Women having children late in life face a more difficult labor and delivery. They also have a harder time pushing the baby out. Many older women use fertility treatments to get pregnant and have twins or triplets.

3. Multiple children. When two or more children are ready to be born too early, or are positioned in the uterus in a way that may complicate delivery, a C-section may be needed.

4. Stalled labor. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, one third of C-section births are performed because labor halts. The contractions may not be strong enough to open the cervix for the baby.

5. Placenta problems. There are two placental problems that may require a C-section: placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervix, and placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterine wall depriving the baby of oxygen.

6. Past C-section. A previous cesarean birth is one of the biggest reasons women today have C-sections.

7. Abnormal pelvis. A previous injury or condition may make vaginal birth impossible.

8. Severe illness. Diabetes, herpes, heart problems or ovarian cysts may make normal delivery risky for the baby.

9. Head size or position. If the baby’s head is too large to fit through the vaginal canal or if it enters the birth canal feet first, a C-section may be the only way to save the mother and child.10. Medical condition like spina bifida. Birth defects like spina bifida affect the backbone and spinal cord of the child, making a C-section delivery safer.