How to Reduce Your Risk of Having a Cesarean Section

While some cesareans are unavoidable, it is estimated that half of the nearly one million c-sections performed in the U.S. each year are medically unnecessary. C-sections present increased health risks for the mother and the baby, not to mention prolonging mama's recovery and leaving her with scar tissue. You can reduce your chances of having a c-section, and benefit your health and that of your baby, by taking these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• One pregnant woman

1. Create a Birth Plan, in which you express your desires for the birth of your baby, and what you expect from the birth attendant(s). Make sure you are being realistic! While not everything will go according to your plan, it will serve as a guide for everyone involved, and will increase your chances of having just the kind of birth you are hoping for.
2. Educate yourself about labor and delivery. You and your husband (or whoever your "coach" will be) should be familiar with the process of birth, and confident in the ability of your body to give birth naturally. Fear is your worst enemy when you are having a baby, and the more you know, the less fear you will have. Also, the more your coach knows, the more he will be able to help you and/or speak for you as needed.
3. Find a birth attendant (doctor or midwife) who has lots of experience with non-interventive ("natural") births. Midwives and doulas specialize in natural births, and many are willing to assist you in the home, clinic, or hospital setting. It is important that you interview a few, and that you find someone with whom you are comfortable.
4. Consider carefully where you plan to deliver your baby. If you prefer a hospital, tour their facilities, and ask what their rate of C-sections is. If it is unacceptable to you, then look up some birth centers. Of course, 100% of all C-sections are performed in hospitals. (Is that too obvious?)
5. When you go into labor:
   Call your doctor/midwife, but stay home as long as you can, going about your business until the labor will not be ignored. Stay active, take a walk; this keeps labor from slowing down. Your coach and birth attendant can help you by being positive about your labor's progress, and you can be confident that your body was made to give birth naturally!

Tips & Warnings

• This article is written under the assumption that mother and baby are healthy and the pregnancy is low-risk. Most fall under this category. However, if you feel that something is not right, communicate with your birth attendant and heed their advice.