Obesity And Cesarean Risk
August 18, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
A new and significant study suggests that the greater a womans weight when she checks in on delivery day, the likelier a cesarean delivery.
The study involved data from nearly 125,000 women who gave birth between 2002 and 2008. This data was carefully analyzed to determine how other factors than a woman’s body mass index (BMI) might alter c section risk, such as prior births or cesarean sections. Additionally they analyzed the circumstances surrounding each birth, as well as the delivery route.
The study found that for every unit increase in BMI, as measured on arrival for delivery, a woman’s risk of cesarean delivery rose by 4 percent.
It was also found that this risk changed depending on whether or not a woman had given birth before or had previously undergone a cesarean section. A one-unit increase in BMI raised the risk of cesarean 5 percent for a woman delivering her first child, 2 percent for women with children and prior cesarean, and 5 percent for women with children but without a prior cesarean
These variables remained after accounting for factors such as maternal age, race and cervical dilation at hospital admission.
For those who had a prior cesarean, the risk of having another was about double: more than half of laboring women with a BMI over 40 (considered morbidly obese).
Significant in the perceived need for repeat cesareans is concern that a vaginal birth will tear scars left by the earlier c section. However, a different study recently discovered that such uterine ruptures are not as common as previously thought. In fact they occur in less than one percent of vaginal births after cesarean.
Lead researcher Dr. Michelle Kominiarek of Indiana University warned that exactly how obesity contributes to cesarean risk still has not been well addressed, but that it is a factor of significance is clear.
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C Section Deliveries At All-Time High in US
April 23, 2010 by · 1 Comment
C section deliveries now constitute a third of all birth in the US. This rising trend can also be seen in developing countries. Amnesty International have called the increase in cesarean sections a maternal health care crisis. The World Health Organization says that only 15% of c section births are actually necessary. Is the litigious nature of American society and doctors fear of lawsuits the reason for the extra 15%, or is it the profit driven model of US health care?
Or is it the expectant moms who want a c section to plan the birth date or for some other reason? Tell us what you think.
C-Section Recovery – Sutures Better Than Stitches
April 15, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Women may have an easier recovery after a cesarean section if the surgeon uses sutures rather than staples to close the incision. In most cases staples increase the likelihood of c section recovery problems and can cause unsightly scar healing. You have a right to request sutures, your c section recovery will be aided if you do.
After Your C Section, Use Binding for Pain Control & Support
February 19, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
When the decision was made to have a C-Section birth with your obstetrician, your health and the baby’s health are paramount. The cesarean surgery recovery process involves many things which may include: abdominal pain from the surgery, a hard time getting out of bed, the new incision and c section scar healing process, and avoiding infections! Support and protect your fresh incision so that it does not tear, or open from the extra pregnancy weight. The most important thing is to be prepared, and one way is to have the C section recovery belt with you in the Hospital, because before you get up and move around, you need the support of binding. Without abdominal binding it can feel as if your insides are going to fall out! The c section recovery belt will also reduce your pain. Focus on the baby, not the pain! You may feel some pain, but it will be so much less than if you had nothing at all to support your freshly cut abdomen.
While your Obstetrician may have done the operation and provide needed medication, C Section Recovery Kits provide that extra support, protection and education about the recovery process and scar healing therapy for a softer healthier scar. Created by a Professional Massage therapist who experienced an emergency C Section, the guide gives you many simple and effective tools to assist you in a faster and better recovery. Don’t tear your fresh incision and end up with a big scar!
Our kit works in conjunction with your doctor’s advise. Please discuss any questions you may have with your doctor, including where the incision will be placed, what kind of stitching they may use to close you up, the pros and cons of staples, stitches or glue, and possibly double stitching your uterus. This helps to create a stronger incision so that a possible VBAC could happen next pregnancy.
Don’t think that just because you have been through this before that its going to be any easier or harder than the first time. There is no telling how your body wil respond to anaesthesia or other issues that may come up during your surgery and recovery. Sometimes there are issues with the incision reopening, swelling with blood coming out, or infections occuring either with the incision, kidneys, bladder or breast. We have provided a checklist and warning signs for infections in our book to help you take better care of yourself.
We want you recover quickly so you can feel wonderful and be more available to your new baby and family. Please don’t let your tissue be unsupported, just hanging out there, as the scarring and chance for complications increases with unsupported and freshly cut skin. They cut 6 layers in all, so it was a significant surgery!
Tearing and bleeding can occur, so avoid an incision that opens because of gravity on your abdomen.
Be prepared, and wrap yourself in comfort and protection using the ancient secrets of abdominal binding, self massage and dry skin brushing for a fast and easy recovery and small flat c section scar.
C Section on Live TV
February 10, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Can you believe a c section delivery was done live on tv? Well it was and below is the video evidence. For those of you who are planning a cesarean delivery, or it’s looking like you might need one, this will give you a visual idea of what will happen in that operating room. Because it was for live tv the filming was done very discreetly and there are no shots of the incision at any time.
Personally I think it’s good to be as prepared as possible in every way possible so take a look, it’s a view as the mom on the table you won’t have, and will give you some idea of how a c section goes – apart from the actual surgery part of it.
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New C Section Mom Tells It Like It Is
February 8, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
C section pain is something your doctor is unlikely to talk much about. The modern medical way is to give you powerful pharmaceutical pain killers so it won’t be an issue. That may be fine if you are recovery from another form of surgery and can rest and recuperate, with a c section you also just had a baby.
You see it’s the side effects of those pain killers that are the issue. The first weeks after birth are an important time for your bonding with baby, and baby with you. It is one of the most intimate relationships possible.Will it be the best it can be if you are numbed out? New c section mom Emily Dickey wrote about her experience, here’s what she said.
"I had an unplanned c-section December 27, 2009, with the birth of my first. I am still recovering and ask anyone who has gone through this–it’s hard. Especially with a newborn! I was told not to take the stairs, not lift anything heavier than my baby, no physical activity, etc. Pain is better now (4 wk pp), but especially at the beginning it was very hard to get out of bed or off the couch. I routinely took pain meds that made me fall asleep sitting up.. mid-sentence even! And at the same time took care of baby Ryan. There had to be something out there to help, right?!
The belts help reduce pain and accelerate your recovery. I feel like it also helps take in my belly! They really are comfortable to wear. A couple days ago I asked on twitter if sharp pain in the belly was normal with certain movements. It is, but… the pain is basically gone if I’m wearing the Abdomend. I can laugh without worrying about the pain! The skin brush reduces swelling and ingrown hairs. The guide shows you techniques on how to use the brush to move fluids to reduce swelling and ways to compress your belly to minimize scar appearance.
The belt can also be used for support during pregnancy (& to help lessen stretch marks), after a vaginal birth to support your uterus and tighten your belly, or after any abdominal surgery!
Having a c-section, especially an unplanned one, can be stressful and traumatizing. Having the Abdomend can help make recovery a bit easier on you. You can buy the belts individually or as a kit."
This is exactly why we produced our c section binder and belt, to give you a chance to reduce cesarean pain, be physically supported to be fully present with your newborn, and also have a faster c section recovery with a trouble free scar.
C Section Recovery Thank You Notes
January 15, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
The unsought inspiration for the Abdomend™ c section recovery belts was my own emergency cesarean. Starting and running the business of making and selling them has been more work than I ever imagined. Some of you probably know just what hard work it is to begin a business and then run it yourself, many times I feel completely overwhelmed.
So when I hear from women who have received grateful benefit from wearing the belts and following the recovery, it makes it worthwhile. Here’s one we received recently with a picture of Pia and her beautiful newborn baby.
It gives me so much satisfaction to hear from women like Pia, so please if you have benefited from our c section recovery products, I’d love to hear from you, it really does mean a lot to me.
"I cannot even begin to tell you how much the C-Section Recovery Belt has helped me recover from my c-section last month! I wore the belt during the last 2 months of my pregnancy as well and it helped so much in lessening back pain and soreness in my pelvic and tummy areas.
I wore it two days after my c-section and it made a HUGE difference in my recovery! The extra support that the belts provided was awesome. I was able to stand, walk, and get up from bed with a significantly less amount of pain and fear of ripping my stitches apart – which I really needed since I have a 3-year old to look after too. Plus, the material is soft, washable, and non-irritating so it was comfortable to wear it almost 24 hours a day. At 2 1/2 weeks post-partum, the belt was getting too big for me, despite washing it in hot water to shrink it down so I just moved on to the Hem-It-In Belt.
Thank you for coming up with this product… it really is the key to a better recovery from a c-section! Your belts do not disappoint and I will be recommending this to friends who will be giving birth!"
Pia Rivera
Vancouver, BC
Cesarean Birth & Infertility Risks
December 15, 2009 by · 1 Comment
A study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has shown that women giving birth for the first time, who have cesarean sections have fewer children and more difficulty conceiving than those who birthed by normal vaginal delivery or by assisted vaginal delivery (use of forceps or vacuum).
It was also found that cesarean section or assisted vaginal delivery leaves many mothers frightened about future childbirth. In addition a primary cesarean delivery and to some extent assisted vaginal delivery is associated with an increased risk of voluntary and involuntary infertility.
Cesarean section delivery was clearly associated with more women who had no further children after five years compared with normal delivery. There were also fewer women who had two or more further children over five years following cesarean section.
After a primary assisted vaginal delivery, women who had a second child were just as likely to have a third as those women who delivered their first child normally. This did not seem to be the case following a primary cesarean section.
In the cesarean section group 63.8% of women had subsequent children delivered by cesarean. This compares with 9.5% in the assisted delivery group and 3.9% of mothers who had a normal delivery.
Mothers who had their only child by cesarean section were more likely to have tried but not been successful in having further children than mothers who had normal deliveries. Also they were less likely to want to go through childbirth again than normal deliveries. This trend was similar for women who had vaginal instrumental deliveries but not to the same extent.
Conversely, women who had normal deliveries were more likely to report relationship problems as their reason for no further children, compared with cesarean section and instrumental deliveries.
Over five years following primary cesarean section there were 13% more mothers with no subsequent children compared with normal deliveries. Also, of women who had been delivered by cesarean section only 5% had two or more further children, compared with 12% following normal vaginal delivery and 11% following vaginal instrumental delivery.
Other studies have reported between 12% and 9% more mothers with no subsequent children following primary cesarean section compared with normal vaginal delivery. It seems clear that a primary cesarean delivery can affect family size by reducing future options for women.
Other studies have suggested that involuntary infertility is more common following cesarean section. The difference in fertility seemed to result largely from difficulties in having children after cesarean section, rather than lessened desire for children. In the cesarean section group 30% of women had tried, but had not been successful, in having another child. This compares with 28% in the vaginal instrumental group and 16% in the normal delivery group. Sub-fertility is greatest if there has been a post-operative pelvic abscess.
Results suggest that many women are frightened of having additional children, resulting in voluntary infertility, following cesarean and vaginal instrumental deliveries. Regional anaesthesia for delivery has been shown to reduce negative feelings following cesarean section. In many departments partners are allowed at the delivery when regional, as opposed to general, anaesthesia is used. Other studies have reported more positive feelings in couples where the father has been present at the delivery.
The statistics paint a clear picture of higher risk of both voluntary and involuntary infertility after a first child was delivered by cesarean. It is not a risk that your caregiver is likely to discuss with you when you talk through risks of cesarean birth, they may not even be aware that it is!
Video of C-Section Delivery
December 12, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
This is an animated depiction of a c-section delivery explaining the procedure. It’s useful as a visual piece of information. You can find many videos on youtube and elsewhere depicting actual c-section deliveries. Personally I think it is a private experience and I wonder if it was men on the table if there would be so many – but that’s just me. So you can see a video like that if you want to, but take a moment to think why you really want to – if you do. It’s hard for me to imagine how it will do you any good, visual imagery is very powerful, childbirth is kind of a vulnerable time. So please, be informed, know how to get the support you will need, but I suggest avoiding anything that will increase stress levels, especially if you know you will have a c-section delivery, or that there is even a chance of it.
Elective & Emergency C-Section
December 11, 2009 by · 1 Comment
There are basically two ways of arriving at a C-section birth. They are if it is planned or as an emergency.
Emergency C-section happens when a woman’s pregnancy or labor requires medical intervention, when she had planned a vaginal birth. These are common reasons why a woman might need an emergency C-section.
- The baby becomes distressed during labor. For example if the baby’s heart rate drops too low, or is too fast, an emergency C-section can be done to ensure the health of the baby. • If labor is either very hard or stops completely, many doctors will order an emergency C-section.
- If the mother has a genital herpes outbreak while in labor, a c-section is necessary because the infection can be deadly to the baby.
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In the event of a prolapsed cord (the umbilical cord coming out of the cervix), a C-section is performed immediately because the supply of oxygen to the baby can be cut off.
- The baby is just too big to deliver vaginally. • Other health concerns that may warrant an emergency C-section are low amniotic fluid, placental abruption (Placenta abruption is, separation of the placenta from the site of uterine implantation, before delivery of the baby.), and meconium (faeces from the baby) in the amniotic fluid.
There are a multitude of reasons for a planned c-section, these are five of the most common
• The baby is in a breech or transverse position, meaning the head is upwards, rather than downward near the cervix. If this is the case at around 38 weeks, and the baby seems unlikely to turn the doctor will schedule the surgery usually somewhere between 39-40 weeks.
• Multiple births. Twins can prove difficult to deliver vaginally and in such cases a C-section is chosen. Any more than twins from Triplets onwards will almost always be delivered by cesarean.
• If you have delivered before by c-section (particularly a classical c-section) some doctors don’t feel comfortable allowing you to deliver vaginally because your old scar on the uterus may tear (uterine rupture).
• Placenta prevail, which is when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix, making a vaginal delivery dangerous.
• The mother or the baby has a health condition that may make the stress of the vaginal birth a risky option.
Whether arriving at a cesarean delivery by way of choice or necessity, you will need support after the surgery. You need physical support to assist with the healing process, and to manage the pain. You can get physical binding support and self massage instruction from day one until total recovery in our deluxe C-Section Recovery Kit.
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