Intervening to perform a Caesarean operation can be based on 'non- medical reasons'. It may be that the caregiver feels it is best 'just in case' a problem occurs or the woman would prefer to have her baby this way. It is in these circumstances that the risks of the operation
MAY NOT OUTWEIGH the risks of continuing the pregnancy or allowing the woman to labour and give birth vaginally.
Sometimes a previous intervention, such as an unnecessary induction, can unintentionally lead to Caesarean for a valid medical reason, but may not have occurred had the woman started labour herself.
Non-medical reasons for performing a Caesarean operation can include:
Repeat Caesarean
Large baby
Unnecessary inductions and augmentation
Not being given enough time
Continuous monitoring
'Precious baby'
Mother's choice
Caregiver's preference
Repeat Caesarean. A 'Repeat Caesarean' is a routine Caesarean operation done because the woman has had a Caesarean birth for her last baby. This is one of the main reasons given for most non-medical Caesareans that are performed. Some women choose to plan a vaginal birth after a previous Caesarean. This is discussed in depth later in this Class in
Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC).
Large baby. Many Caesareans are performed because the caregiver perceives that the baby is possibly 'too big' for the woman to give birth vaginally. While this can occasionally be a valid reason, most current research is now showing that this is a frequently incorrect assumption. The general consensus is that a Caesarean for this reason cannot be justified as an elective procedure before the labour starts and should be only offered to women after they have been given adequate time to progress in their labour. You may wish to read more in
large babies.
Unnecessary inductions and augmentation.