Emergency C-sections

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of FIRST births tend to be emergency c-sects, it seems like if you have one VB then the chances of another are pretty high but a lot of people are ending up with emergency sections with their first bub which alters their options next time round.

Totally agree with you in regards to hearing more and more of Emergency C-secs taking place everyday ...but also assisted births like Ventouse & Forceps deliveries are becoming more common (I had ventouse)...babies birth weight seems to be increasing as well (more common to hear of 9lb + babies whereas back when I was born the norm was 6-7lbs ...sometimes 8lb if your lucky).

And then you can go into the research behind birth weight becoming higher due to processed foods (so i've read).

I think birth weight could be contributing towards the increase in emergency c-secs and assisted births

ETA: I had a ventouse due to Lucas being stuck in my pelvis (im only 5 '2 and 56kg & he was 9lb ...so big baby considering my frame). Pushed for 2 hours to no avail and then he went into distress & heart rate dramatically dropped and all turned into emergency mode. My labour was very drawn out, over a matter of 2 days. Elective C-sec had been on the cards for a while due to baby's size.(very glad I didn't have one though)

Edited by Mum2Lucas

Totally agree and would love to see a proper study done on it. Another theory could be that OB's are so keen on letting you go 'naturally' you wind up going way overdue and having an enormous baby...?

Well, thats what happened to me...12 days overdue, induced, no pain relief used until 8cm dilated, baby was posterior/brow presentation, got stuck and on the large side (9lbs).

I am going to a specialist next time to see if I can avoid another caesar as I'd love to have a natural birth.

I hate pretty well during my pregnancy (as in good foods and bad) and went 8 days over due before being induced due to concerns about the fluid and Elle was 6pounds2. I wonder what she would've been had she been on time!

I mean they supposedly put on an ounce per day once they reach the last 1-2 weeks and go overdue ...just laying down fat as all their organs are fully developed and 37weeks onwards they deem them as full term? I think...

Yeah he looked bigger than he weighed too, he had rolls on his legs and everything. I think he has my short gene kicking in though ...shorts seem to be like pants on him nowadays! LOL

..we haven't had plunket do his height since 8months so no idea what he's like on growth chart but hes over 12kg already ARGH! (and he barely eats much as he's very fussy...go figure)

Edited by Mum2Lucas

You are right Fiona, I have been hearing more ECS than VB's over the past few months.

I'm sure there are valid reasons for them to happen but it is getting more and more common.

I'm am so sh*t scared about needing a c section; I think it's more the thought of the epi that is doing it to me than the actual section.

I am with Kawww, my epi had nothing to do with my c section, and I too am petrified of the same thing happening again and if there is a chance I will be having an elective.

I had a VB with all 3 kids.

Conor was a Vontouse - no pain relief
Nyah was natural - no pain relief
Cooper, I had an epidural and it didn't work, I didn't want a csection at all, and managed to have him normally too.

Maybe it depends on so many things as to why the numbers have increased.

I believe part of the problem now is they type of work we do which results in more posterior babies which often need intervention (and pain relief as apparenlty are more painful labour, but can't compare), and also we are becoming less and less designed for child birth, as walking upright apparently helps to narrow pelvis meaning a smaller birth canel