CS IS NOT MY PORTION!!!…PT2

PR= 100b/m, BP= 200/100mmHg, RR= 30c/m, Temp= 38℃, O₂ sat= 85%, states nurse Agatha, as she hurriedly updates me on Mrs Eze’s vitals. Get me the sonicaid fast! Take off any tight fitting cloth or jewelry she has on. Commence 0₂ via nasal prongs at 4-6L/min, I quickly instruct the other nurses. IV lines secured bilaterally using wide bore cannula then blood samples obtained for urgent laboratory workup (GxM, PCV, VDRL, HBSAg, HCV, HIV, & liver enzymes). I quickly constitute IV hydralazine and give slowly over 10-15mins.

Commence MgS0₄ using Pritchard’s regimen. I instruct Nurse Agatha as she hands me the sonicaid. I attempt to determine the FHR (Baby’s heart rate) but couldn’t get it anywhere across the entire gravid abdomen…sadly, this has become a case of an IUFD (Intra Uterine Fetal Death)…baby was gone. I then turn to Chief Eze and explain my findings to him, then once more recommend an emergency C-section as the lie was still transverse. To my utmost surprise, Chief Eze had no objections, he signed the consent form without fuss.

Inform the Obstetrician/Anesthetist I instruct a nurse hurriedly and prepped Mrs Eze and the OR for surgery…shortly thereafter, we scrubbed in. 45mins to an hour later, Mrs Eze was wheeled out of the theatre to the recovery room, sadly however, the baby was gone, despite all attempts at resuscitation. The baby’s corpse was handed over to Chief Eze, who just stood there looking stunned. Thankfully, Mrs. Eze made a full recovery and was discharged home a couple of days later on her post op meds and was scheduled for her follow up appointments.

…THE END

Q&A

Q. what is cesarean section?

A. C-section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

Q. what are some of the medical reasons for CS?

• prolonged labor
• Fetal distress
• Abnormal positioning
• Birth defects
• Chronic health conditions
• Repeat CS
• Cord prolapse
• Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)

Q. which is more painful? Vaginal delivery or CS?

A. Most people experience more pain following CS than vaginal delivery. Also, CS has a longer recovery time compared to vaginal delivery.

However, this isn’t always the case, as some vaginal deliveries end up with severe complications and prolonged hospital stay as well, even in the best of centers.

Q. How long does C-section take?

A. typically 45mins. It however also depends on any attending complication which might have led to the section in the first place.

Q. How long will I stay in the hospital following CS?

A. typically patients are discharged home 3days after the day of the op (i.e 4days)

Q. can I try vaginal birth after CS?

A. Yes, especially if adequate child spacing is practiced. Typically 2years and above for a VBAC (Vaginal birth after CS)

Q. Is CS painful?

A. You won’t feel any pain during the surgery following regional anesthesia. You may however feel some pulling sensations.

TAKE HOME POINTS

• Most pregnancies end in successful vaginal deliveries. A few however, present with complications which may require intervention for a successful delivery. Whichever group we fall into, requires us to arm ourselves with the necessary knowledge needed to make timely and informed decisions.

• Life is not a race, so do not compare yourselves to others. Go at your own pace because everyone’s path in life is different.

• If nature was to reverse the scenario making men responsible for childbirth, we’d probably be extinct in the world by now because absolutely NO MAN! can survive the changes that comes with pregnancy, labor and delivery. So to the men, support your wives, appreciate them, care for them and thank them for the sacrifice and miracle of childbirth.

…til next time, have an awesome weekend guys!