Doctors may have a number of grounds to advise expectant Oregon mothers to have a cesarean section to deliver their baby. According to Healthline, mothers could need a C-section because of complications with the pregnancy, or if the baby is not positioned properly to exit the birth canal, among many other reasons. If you have been told a cesarean section is in the best interests of your baby, your doctor should undertake a number of preparations before your undergo the procedure.
Prior to your cesarean section, your doctor should conduct preliminary steps to inform you of what you can expect. Additionally, your physican should also gather information to prepare for possible complications during the C-section. These steps consist of the following:
Checkups
Doctors routinely give expectant mothers checkups during prenatal appointments, so this is expected whether you are getting a C-section or not. The purpose of checkups for a cesarean delivery is to see if you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Your doctor will also likely discuss possible risks involved with having a cesarean section.
Checking Blood Type
Expect your physician to check your blood type. Generally, doctors do not need to give C-section patients a blood transfusion, so it is unlikely you would need one. However, if complications arise during the delivery, you might need some blood. Your doctor should make sure some of your blood type is available just in case.
Questions and Answers
Although your doctor should proactively inform you of all relevant aspects of the C-section, take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about it, no matter how small. The preliminary checkups before the cesarean section are a good time to ask about what you and your baby will go through as well as what you can expect during the recovery period.
These preparatory steps can help ensure your baby is successfully delivered and prevent possible pregnancy-related injuries or birth injuries. A hospital or medical staff that is negligent in preparing expectant mothers for a C-section, however, could open themselves up to liability if something goes wrong during the delivery.
Be aware as you read this article that it is not written to give you legal advice. This article is written to educate Oregon readers on pregnancy and medical malpractice topics.