From the beginning of their pregnancy, women carrying multiple babies may be labeled high-risk and inundated with precautionary information. The assumption, which often is supported by hospitals, is that unplanned Caesarean surgery in labour is likely and therefore planned Caesarean surgery is the safer option. Lamaze International, an advocate for normal birth and a leader in childbirth education, warns women not to make this assumption and points to research showing the dangers of unnecessary Caesarean surgery.
A recent American study reports that there is not enough evidence to suggest that elective Caesarean surgery with twins results in better outcomes. A second study on multiple births reveals that Caesarean surgery for delivery of the second twin (when the baby is not in the head-down position) increases the risk of infection and produces no obvious benefit for mother or baby.
Birth by Caesarean surgery is on a drastic rise. The increase is attributed to several factors, including fear of malpractice claims, the incorrect perception that Caesarean surgeries are safer and will prevent future urinary and uterine problems, hospitals ' policies against vaginal birth after Caesarean and the increase in multiple births. A high proportion of the one million Caesareans performed every year are medically unnecessary.
In today 's "culture of Caesareans," mothers of multiples face an uphill battle for choices in childbirth. While women carrying multiple babies are more likely to encounter complications than mothers of single babies, Caesarean surgery is not mandatory and increases risks. Research indicates that women who undergo Caesarean surgery increase the risk of infection, haemorrhage, surgical and anesthetic complications, and maternal death, as well as newborn respiratory problems. Future reproductive problems associated with previous Caesarean surgery include infertility, uterine rupture, premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. A vaginal birth is possible for mothers of twins when the first twin is positioned head-down, which is nearly 80 percent of the time. Additionally, a mother of triplets is a candidate for a vaginal birth if she has an uncomplicated pregnancy, has not has previous uterine surgery and is at least 32 weeks pregnant at the time of birth.
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