
What Is A BPP Test
When we think of the birth of a child, we often think of a standard vaginal delivery. But not all babies are born that way according to the best OB/GYN in Atlanta, GA. Cesarean sections (C-sections) account for approximately one-third of all deliveries. Why are babies born via C-section? And what are the various methods for delivering a baby?
In 2019, there were 3.7 million babies born. The average age of mothers giving birth for the first time was 27.
68.3% of births were vaginal deliveries.
Standard vaginal delivery is generally considered the best way for the child to be born.
- The mother recovers faster.
- Hospital stays are shorter.
- Babies have less risk of respiratory distress.
- Infection rates are lower.
How Long Does ItCesarean sections accounted for 31.7% of all births. Take
- 25.6% were low-risk C-sections, where a single baby was head down in a term pregnancy.
- 21.6% were C-sections done on women who had never had a Caesarean birth before.
C-sections can be planned or as a result of unforeseen complications.
Planned C-sections
- Multiple births – twins or higher.
- Previous C-sections – If the mother does not want to try a vaginal birth after C-section or doesn’t qualify for VBAC.
- Breech presentation – Delivery vaginally is dangerous for the baby.
- Obstruction – A large fibroid tumor at the cervix can interfere with vaginal delivery.
- Placenta previa – The placenta extends down across the cervix. An attempt at a vaginal delivery could cause a significant hemorrhage and put both mother and baby in danger.
Emergency C-sections
- Sometimes the baby is just too big to fit through the mother’s pelvis.
- Failure to progress – the labor is unsuccessful in dilating the cervix.
- Fetal distress – the fetal heart monitor reveals evidence that the baby is stressed and needs to be delivered quickly.
Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC)
It used to be once a C-section, always a C-section. But modern surgical techniques have made VBAC successful. Almost 75% of attempted VBACs succeed, but there are restrictions on attempts. Many small or rural hospitals do not offer VBAC because they cannot do emergency C-sections as quickly as might be required. 13.8% of vaginal births in 2019 were VBAC.
Operative Vaginal Deliveries
There are two types of assisted vaginal births.
- Vacuum extraction – This is used rarely but can be life-saving. A vacuum pump is placed on the top of the baby’s head during the pushing stage of labor. A handle is attached to the pump. When the mother pushes, the physician can pull and move the baby down.
- Forceps delivery – Used in the same circumstances as a vacuum pump, forceps are metal spoons applied alongside the baby’s head to exert a pulling force and assist the baby out.
Circumstances
- The baby is “stuck” in the birth canal.
- The mother is exhausted and can no longer push with contractions
- Heart problems or other medical issues in the mother make pushing further dangerous for her.
- The baby develops fetal distress in the birth canal.