Methods Of Delivery

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.

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