C-SECTIONS: OB-GYN on why C-sections are are done, reducing C-section rates, & gentle vs emergency

WATCH to find out why C-sections are both life-saving medical procedures AND have unnecessary risks. I discuss when C-sections are recommended, how to lower the C-section rate, & go over the kinds of C-sections including emergency C-sections & gentle C-sections.

Welcome! Learn about pregnancy from OB-GYN Marta Perez M.D. - education on EVERYTHING you need to know from an evidence-based source you can trust!

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**Video is for educational purposes only and should not be used as personal medical advice. Please discuss anything related to your own health, diagnosis, and treatment with your own medical provider as information in this video may not pertain to your individual and specific situation. **

[mooslimah]

I love doctors like you who make educational videos like this. You explain everything great!

[mykidsaresupercute]

I wish you were my OB. I can't stand mine! He scheduled me for a C-section without even asking me. He likes them because it's less time consuming for him. I also see an MFM specialist and they said there is zero reason for me to have a C-section. At 36 weeks it's too late for me to switch OBs so now I have to fight him on it.

[ahafri]

Thanks for this! Any more info on the actual procedure? Typically length of time, pain control, recovery, limitations following c-section?

[neysabuffy]

I learned on the Evidence Based Birth podcast that fetal Doppler is actually a more accurate way to monitoring fetal status during labor since the fetus can show ups & downs depending on what part of labor you are in. And with continuous monitoring, this often leads to increased intervention that is likely unnecessary. What are your thoughts on using the Doppler vs continuous monitoring?

[v]

Thank you for sharing your expertise in such an organized and easy to understand manner!!

[mariamagana]

Yes please do a TOLAC/VBAC video it will help a lot of moms

[bagarbilli]

10:36 some visual aid would hv definitely helped further to understand the topic😓

[lynnettekidik]

11 lb baby boy. Told I wouldn’t be able to pass him. In labor 6 hour before surgery. Followed by 3 more sections. Brutal

[tinavieth]

I would love for you to do a video on vback. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with hopes to achieve a successful vback 🙂 there really isn't many videos or easily accessible information on vback as I feel should be.

This is also a great video. Thanks!

[JKShineOfficial]

Is the cord around the baby's neck twice a reason for C-section?

[jackieh]

You answered so many great questions here- thank you!

[WangLucy]

Hi Dr. Marta, my ultrasound shows my baby’s estimated weight is 3.67kg when I’m 36weeks and 6 days pregnant. I’m not sure if I should choose a vaginal birth or c-section. Would you please give me some advice? (I’m really against using forceps and vacuum. I’d rather go for a c-section if those has to be used during a vaginal birth. In addition. I want to avoid tearing as much as possible if it’s a vaginal birth.) thank you so much!

[JKShineOfficial]

I had a C-section that I didn't ask for, though I was given reason that the cord is in Baby's next twice so it's risky to push.What can you say about this?

[taradale]

So im19 weeks pregnant and likely to be having an elected c section under general anaesthetic due to have EDS and having incredibly fragile tissues. I would need a gental c section which means all the incisions have to done without to much pressure as it would cause my body to, not heal properly it has to be done with a lot of care in mind to minimise the damage done. I also need to have stitches without tenchen, thay have to be done in multiple layers and left in longer than normal or there is a high chance of the scar re opening. I'm not alowed clips/staples as thay cause to much truma to surroundings tissues and are extremely likely to reject. The reason for the general anaesthetic is because I am immune to local anaesthetic and it's well documented that epidurals can numb the skin bit when the incision is made those with EDS scream out because they felt everything. Sadly I have experienced this myself and I'm not at all willing to go through it again. But I badly what my baby to have all there cord blood before we are separated that is the only thing in my birth plan that I badly what becuse if he had EDS the iron stores and other benifits. I feel are ceusal to his health and well being. But I know as soon as they get him out thay will cut him straght from me because of the general anaesthetic. Also making sure that I dont have a c section with forceps as forceps if the baby have EDS can cause serious harm and in the worse cases even decapitation of the baby. I never understood why forceps would be needed during a c section, when a surgeon can gently reach in and get baby out? Please can you do a vidio that addresses those who are pregnant with EDS and the health risks to mum and baby and the birthing options available to women with such rare complex need becuse we dont get talked about enough. There isent enough medical staff aware of us and our potentially life threatening condition. As the more obgyns, obs, gyna and Anastasologys thay talk about us the more likely we are to receive the potentially life saving care we may need. I hate the fact its classed as rare but it's not really all that rare as you may think. There are 14 types I have HEDS and it's not just labour thats painful and hard to experience the whole pregnancy is because mucals struggle to hold the weight of the developing baby, still birth and miscarriage is very high so is early membrane rupture, and hemorrhage rates and everytime I see a doctor I have to educate them on my condition because they have only seen it In a medical text book. Please help get this more recognition. so we can get the help and care we need to have a health mum and baby at the end of it x

[rachelwilley]

If you’re in a situation where it’s an “urgent” c section- not an outright emergency can you ask the doctors to rush and make it an emergency? I feel like I will panic if the baby is not tolerating labor well. Also do you have a vid on birth plans? What to include, etc.?

[alexissabbagh]

I was offered to do an external rotation but i declined thinking i didnt want to distress or hurt my baby so i opted to do the csection. Having a rough recovery and wondering if i made the right decision. Also having a hard time dealing with having to have a c-section after 4 vaginal births.

[muskangupta]

My baby was in oblique position at 40 weeks and uterus mouth had opened upto 5 cm...doctor suggested caesarean as there can be a chance of cord prolapse

[GK_Imagimotion]

Pregnant person = mother
If anyone is wondering

[zzevonplant]

I have a question about C-sections --- why do mothers get SO LITTLE opioid pan medications after C-sections? I've had an appendectomy, which is a much less intense major surgery, & the pain was horrendous & recovery was difficult, & I was given pretty significant amounts of pain meds. But, with C-sections, you get some for the first day, & not anymore after that, right? I can't wrap my mind around how on Earth that makes sense with that big of an incision, & that much pain.

[homeschoolandme]

I’ve had two c sections; an emergency and a planned (a year and a half later. It has been 7 years and we are planning our third. I am 32. Is a C-section the safest according to the latest research or is a VBAC recommended, typically? I had no complications with my second.