27
Sep 2019
Mothers who have had C-section may face greater risk of complications through natural birth
A study by academics at Oxford University suggests mothers are safer choosing to have a C-section for their next delivery, as a vaginal birth increases the risk of a uterine rupture by seven times, and also carries increased risks of blood transfusion, surgical injury and sepsis.
Research for the study looked into over 74,000 deliveries to mothers who had previously had a C-section. The results showed that mothers who planned a natural birth for their next child carried a higher risk of contracting sepsis or needing a blood transfusion. They were also seven times more likely to suffer from a uterine rupture, which could result in stillbirth or the baby needing to be resuscitated.
Spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Pat O’Brien, said the research provided more useful information to help to guide women’s choices.
He said “A detailed conversation with a woman and her senior obstetrician should take place so she can make an informed choice about the safest way she can plan to give birth and be supported by a team of specialists.
“Women can be assured that in most cases it is possible and safe to have a vaginal birth, or a planned repeat Caesarean birth, after a previous Caesarean birth.”
Senior policy advisor of The National Childbirth Trust, Elizabeth Duff, said “This latest research has confirmed that the risks associated with vaginal birth after caesarean and a planned repeat caesarean are low.
“Most women are able to have a vaginal birth safely after a previous caesarean without complications.
“But outcomes will vary and depend on their obstetric history including the reasons behind why they had a C-section in the first place.”
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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