Reasons for a Cesarean Birth

Cesarean births can be planned. In most cases, a cesarean is not expected. A cesarean may be needed because of concerns about the baby, the mother or the baby’s passage through the birth canal. Listed below are some of the reasons you may have a cesarean.

Poor fit	Wrong position	More than one baby

• A poor fit. The baby’s head is poorly positioned or too large. This may prevent the baby from fitting through the birth canal. This is known as cephalopelvic disproportion. There is no way of knowing this during the prenatal period.  This will not become evident until the labor process has begun.

• A baby in distress. The baby shows signs that he or she may not be able to stay healthy through the stresses of labor.

• Labor fails to progress. The cervix does not efface (thin) and dilate (open) enough. As a result, the baby cannot descend into the birth canal.

• The wrong position. The baby is in a breech position, with feet or buttocks descending first, or the baby is lying sideways across the pelvis.

• More than one baby. With two or more babies, one is more likely to be in the wrong position.

• Problems with the placenta. In some cases, the placenta (the organ that nourishes the baby) is between the baby’s head and the birth canal (placenta previa), or the placenta is pulling away from the uterus (placental abruption).

• Problems with the cord. In some cases, the umbilical cord is compressed by the baby's head or enters the birth canal before the baby's head. 

• Maternal health problems. An ongoing health problem or a problem that arises during pregnancy can make a vaginal birth risky.

• A baby with special needs. A health problem or birth defect can make labor or vaginal birth risky.

• An active vaginal infection. Herpes and HIV infections could infect the baby during the passage through the birth canal.