Here’s a list of common diagnosis that can result in cesarean section and the alternatives a mother can try in order to avoid the surgery.
Diagnosis
Failure to Progress
- Mal-positioned baby?
- Change positions to encourage the baby to change too
- Emotional dystocia?
- Know yourself, get help and support before and during labour
- Maternal exhaustion?
- Ask for a break such as turn off induction drugs or ask to be left in peace; rest, breathe, eat, drink
Long Pushing Stage
- Ineffective contractions?
- Get some food and drink to regain energy, move around
- Ineffective Pushing?
- Rest, change pushing positions
- Caregiver not comfortable?
- Ask for a second opinion, a second doctor to confirm diagnosis
Previous Cesarean Scar
- Risk of uterine rupture?
- Avoid labour induction
- Legal protection for doctor?
- Hire a caregiver truly supportive of VBAC
Large Baby
- Large baby?
- Squatting for birth opens the pelvis 28%
- Small pelvis?
- Try vertical pushing positions, anything but laying down in the bed
- Deformed pelvis?
- See a chiropractor for care during pregnancy
- Mal-positioned baby?
- Try to reposition the baby using exercise or massage
- OP (Sunny side up) Baby?
- Labour on all fours, or doggy style, to relieve back pain
- Slow Labor?
- Ask for time to labour, avoid induction, walk around
- Long pushing?
- Rest, use a vertical squatting position to open the pelvis
- Shoulder dystocia?
- Change pushing positions
- Forceps or vacuum failure?
- Ask for time to labour and push, move around
Breech Baby
- Misaligned pelvis?
- See a chiropractor for care during pregnancy
- Frank breech?
- Try fetal versions or a vaginal birth – this is a good breech, get a good caregiver
- Complete and Footling breech?
- Try to turn the baby before labour starts
- Inexperienced caregiver?
- Get a second opinion or another caregiver
Caregiver’s Condition
- Inexperienced caregiver?
- Hire a caregiver with experience in unusual vaginal births
- Doctors’ discomfort level with vaginal birth?
- Hire a different caregiver
- Doctor’s legal protection?
- Change doctors or invoke your legal right to refuse treatment
- Doctor’s convenience?
- Change doctors or get second opinion
- Doctor’s or Hospital’s guidelines refusing care?
- Sign a disclaimer to release their liability
- No options?
- Medical guidelines are not law, the law is your right to consent or refuse treatment.
Medical guidelines are not law, the law is your right to consent or refuse treatment.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice from your primary healthcare provider. Always consult your healthcare professional.
