• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Istock 000006796696Large Scaled

Is It OK to Schedule a C-Section for Convenience?

Aug 25, 2014 |
By Erin Dauterive, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

The method you choose to deliver your baby should be based on safety – not convenience – and having a nurse-midwife/obstetrician team can help moms-to-be feel a part of the labor decision-making process.

Studies indicate that labor is induced too often in cases in which it is not medically necessary. Unnecessary inductions can lead to additional unnecessary interventions – including cesarean sections that substantially increase health and safety risks for mom and baby.

Some common complications of C-section births can include infection, heavy blood loss and blood clots. There is also a risk of damage to the mother’s organs and complications from anesthesia. The scar tissue from the surgery can also present problems in future pregnancies. If it is not necessary for medical reasons, studies show that patients should let labor happen on its own. As long as there are no complications, vaginal delivery for births is better for babies as they are less likely to develop breathing problems and more likely to take to breastfeeding when mothers are not recovering from major surgery.

The patient’s team of the midwife and obstetrician will advise a patient if inducing labor is medically necessary. Some cases in which the team would advise inducing labor are:

  • There are complications from hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, or abnormal bleeding.
  • The baby is in danger of not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
  • The amniotic sac has been ruptured for more than 24 hours and labor has not begun on its own.
  • The mother has an infection inside of her uterus.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and obstetricians collaborate with mothers on birthing options and work together to provide women with the optimal combination of primary and preventive care with specialized services. CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses who provide counseling and care during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Using skilled midwives can significantly reduce the need for surgical intervention for women in labor, and practicing midwifery has been found to help to lower C-section rates in non-complicated births.

Learn more about Women's Services at Ochsner Health in Baton Rouge. 

Tags
pregnancy

You may also be interested in:

Istock 000006796696Large Scaled
Women's Health
August 9, 2022

Know the Facts: VBACs and Repeat C-Sections

Find out more about the different risks and benefits associated with VBACS and repeat C-Sections to make an informed choice for your health and the health of your baby.
Obgyn Thinkstockphotos 629726342
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

3 Things You Didn’t Know About Choosing an OB

We reveal three surprising facts about how your OB choice affects your pregnancy and delivery.
By Victoria McHenry, MD
play button icon
Women's Health
August 9, 2022

What Should I Pack in My Maternity Bag?

The essential items to remember when packing your hospital maternity bag.

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide