There are many reasons for a cesarean section. The following chart will give you some of the common reasons that providers suggest, or even require, that you have a cesarean section. You may want to check the glossary to confirm the meaning of some of these terms.

Reasons for Cesarean Section

Absolute Reasons

• Placenta previa
• Prolapsed cord
• Previous classical c-section (vertical incision)

Relative Reasons

• Abruptio placenta
• Macrosomia
• Rh iso-immunization
• Malpresentation
• Maternal risk factors/maternal disease

Relative Reasons During Labor

• Cephalopelvic disproportion
• Non-reassuring fetal testing
• Prolonged rupture of membranes
• Arrest of Labor
• Arrest of descent

Not necessarily. If you don't have active lesions, you can have a vaginal delivery. However, if active lesions or symptoms are present, you'll need a C-section. If the baby passes through the vagina when active lesions are present, he could contract herpes.

It may seem that you'll never get another night's sleep. However, sleep disturbances are common later in pregnancy. Your baby has not yet learned how to tell time and he can be active day and night. This may keep you from getting to sleep or wake you from a sound sleep. As your pregnancy advances, the weight of your baby and your uterus may make it impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position. Some things that may help are: a warm bath before bed; a glass of warm milk; the use of a body sleep pillow; or the use of a pregnancy wedge. A pregnancy wedge is a piece of foam rubber cut in a triangular shape that runs at least half the length of your body at a slight angle. You can lean back against it and still not lie on your back.

Bleeding in pregnancy can be caused by the following: an impending or threatened miscarriage; an ectopic pregnancy; inflammation of your cervix; placenta previa; and abruptio placenta. Bleeding is not a reason to panic, but it is important to call your provider immediately so that you can be checked.

You may not deliver by your due date. Remember your due date is only an estimate of when your baby is due. If you don't deliver by 41 weeks, your doctor will verify that your baby's doing well by running some tests. As long as your baby is fine, your pregnancy will be allowed to continue. If you don't deliver by 42 weeks, your doctor may induce labor. If your cervix is dilated, your doctor may admit you to the hospital and rupture your membranes. About 75% of women will go into labor within a few hours of this.

Breast feeding is a personal choice and may not be the right choice for everyone. First and foremost you must be comfortable with your decision, which ever way you choose to feed your baby.

• Breast milk is the perfect nutrition
• Breast-fed babies may be healthier
• The iron in breast milk is completely absorbed by the baby
• Breast milk will not constipate your baby
• Breast milk passes immunities to your baby
• Breast feeding helps to develop the palate and facial muscles. There may be less tooth decay in later life.
• Breast feeding is more convenient and always available
• Breast feeding encourages maternal closeness
• Dad can give the baby a bottle of breast milk
• Mom may return to her pre-pregnancy weight more rapidly since breast feeding burns calories

• You may have less risk for breast infections
• Anyone can feed your baby with a bottle, so Dad can enjoy the same feeling of closeness that Mom gets to experience
• Some medications are passed in breast milk
• Your baby may go longer between feedings, allowing you to have more time to rest

If early prenatal classes are offered, you should consider taking them. These classes teach nutrition, exercise for pregnancy, and development of the baby. They are also a good opportunity to interact with other pregnant couples.

Prenatal or prepared childbirth classes are an excellent idea. They will prepare you for labor and delivery of your child and teach you to act as a team. They teach you methods to cope with normal childbirth. This will enable you to make childbirth and delivery choices based on knowledge rather than fear. There are many different classes offered. Most prepared childbirth classes today may encompass aspects from the many philosophies and methods available.

Lamaze:
Lamaze is focused on control and breathing. By controlling your breathing as labor progresses, you can control pain or your perception of pain. Multiple types of breathing techniques are taught for the different stages of labor. Your partner or coach's job is to monitor and help adjust the breathing pattern.

Bradley:
Bradley teaches conditioning exercises and muscle relaxation in labor. A slow, deep breathing, take-your-time approach is advocated in a quiet, dimly lit environment. After she's born, the baby is immediately placed on the mom's breast.

Kitzinger:
Using Lamaze breathing, Kitzinger advocates mental imagery to enhance relaxation. Touch, massage and visualization help to flow with the contraction instead of fighting it.

Gamper:
The key to the Gamper Method is the self-determination and confidence instilled by instructors in the ability of women to work and cooperate with the natural forces of childbirth. Classes begin in early pregnancy so the fear-tension-pain cycle can be broken. A normal, natural rate of breathing is taught.

Simkins:
Couples are encouraged to use whatever means of breathing and style that helps them. An eclectic mix of techniques is taught.

Noble:
This technique involves relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and learning ways to relax them. This approach emphasizes women listening to their bodies.

LeBoyer:
This method allows your baby to be born amid dim lights and soft voices. The baby is given a warm water bath and then placed on the mother's abdomen for bonding. Because of this method and its effect on newborns, loud, harsh noises are no longer allowed in the delivery area.

Odent:
Allowing women to labor and deliver in water is the newest method today. Since babies live in fluid for nine months, being born into water is not harmful at all.

You may also want to attend a C-section class if the prepared childbirth classes you choose do not incorporate this into the lessons. This will let you know what to expect if a C-section delivery is necessary.

A plug of mucous is a collection of mucous that keeps your cervix impenetrable. You may pass your mucous plug up to two weeks before labor begins.

This is mucous mixed with a small amount of blood and is usually seen during the earliest phase of labor.

You should definitely keep yourself well hydrated. Avoid citrus and milk drinks. Good choices are water and clear fruit juices. You should eat lightly as long as you are not nauseous or vomiting. Toast, crackers, chicken soup and bread are excellent choices.

Sometimes it happens just like you see in the movies and on television, with a big gush of fluid that soaks everything. Other times it may be a steady trickle of fluid that you may confuse with urine. The difference in passing urine and leaking fluid is simple. Urine will stop if you squeeze the muscle at the neck of your bladder, amniotic fluid will continue to trickle. Many times, when you rupture your membranes, you will have an initial gush of fluid, and then a steady stream of fluid will come out. This stream of fluid will usually get heavier during contractions.

Amniotic fluid should be clear and have no odor. If your amniotic fluid is colored or has noticeable odor, you should tell your provider right away.

Each provider has different instructions about when she wants you to go to the hospital. Before you call your provider you should have regular contractions. Usually, it's time to go to the hospital when your contractions are five minutes apart and last 45 - 60 seconds. However, you should discuss this with your provider.

An episiotomy is a cut made between your vagina and rectum, in the area called the perineum. It's made to enlarge the vaginal opening to allow your baby to deliver more easily without tearing your perineal or vaginal tissues. Whether you need an episiotomy will depend on the amount of tissue in your perineum, the size of your baby and your provider's judgment on whether you are going to tear.

The time you spend in the hospital will depend on the labor and method of delivery you have had, and on your provider. The usual time in the hospital for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery is 24 - 48 hours. A cesarean section will require more time in the hospital.