Timing of birth
The reasons for monitoring you and your baby during pregnancy is to pick up on any problems that may arise as early as possible. For most women there is no reason to suggest bringing the timing of birth forward.
If the obstetricians are concerned either about your or your baby’s health and safety they may ask you to attend more frequently to keep a closer eye on you and your baby. This is so that they can advise whether the safest thing for you and your baby at any given time is to continue with the pregnancy or whether it may be safer for your baby to be born sooner. This may include a recommendation for birth before term. They will discuss their reasoning with you.
Birth can be brought forward in a number of different ways – your obstetric team will discuss the options with you.
Mode of birth
Most women with medical conditions give birth vaginally. There are very few medical conditions which are the reason why birth by caesarean section is recommended. This is because giving birth vaginally generally puts less strain on your body overall than an operation. Most of the caesarean sections for women with medical conditions are performed for obstetric reasons, not directly because of the underlying health condition.
However, for some health conditions the obstetric and anaesthetic teams may offer specific advice on pain control, extra monitoring during labour, or an assisted second stage – this means that they could help you with the pushing part of labour with the use of forceps or suction cups if necessary.
Your obstetric team will discuss the various options for birth with you. They will take into account your specific circumstances, your personal feelings, and your concerns and wishes. They will discuss the advantages and risks of vaginal and of caesarean birth for both you and your baby with you. Some of the more general considerations are outlined here.