Caesarean Section

Question 1

What is a C-Section?

Answer 1

Delivery of baby through incision through abdominal wall and uterus.

• Method - Lower uterine segment horizontal incision
• Classical longitudinal incision, now very rarely used

Question 2

Indications for C-Section?

Answer 2

• Funnily enough some are the CIs to induction of labour - malpresentation, placenta praevia, prolapsed cord, foetal distress
• Failed induction
• Failure to progress in labour
• Severe pre-eclampsia
• Twin pregnancy with non-cephalic presenting twin
• Repeat caesarean section

Question 3

What is category 1 of CS?

Answer 3

Emergency – delivery within 30 minutes due to immediate threat to life of woman or foetus eg eclampsia

Question 4

What is category 2 of CS?

Answer 4

Urgent – delivery within 90 minutes due to maternal or foetal compromise

Question 5

What is category 3 of CS?

Answer 5

Scheduled – no time limit requiring early delivery but no compromise

Question 6

What is category 4 of CS?

Answer 6

Elective – also no time limit but at a time suitable to the maternity team and mother

Question 7

What are complications of CS?

Answer 7

• Haemorrhage
• Injury to structures eg bladder
• DVT risk - LMWH prophylaxis
• Risks: placenta praevia, antepartum stillbirth, uterine rupture with later spontaneous labour, adhesions causing infertility