C-Section Consent

A c-section is the delivery of a baby/babies through a cut in the abdomen and uterus. When signing your consent at the hospital you will be acknowledging the following risks:

Frequent risks

Infection (wound, urinary, chest, pelvic) 6:100 (common)

Haemorrhage 5:1000 (uncommon)

Persistent wound and abdominal discomfort 9:100 (common)

Injury / minor cut to baby 2:100 (common)

Readmission to hospital 5:100 (common)

Repeat caesarean section in subsequent pregnancies 1:4 (very common)

Serious risks

Injury to the bladder, ureters or bowel (uncommon)

Developing a blood clot, 4-16 women in 10,000 (rare)

Need for high dependency care, 9 women in every 1,000 (uncommon)

Need for further surgery at later date, 5 women in every 1,000 (uncommon)

Increased risk of a tear in the uterus in future pregnancies, 2-7 women every 1,000 (uncommon)

ln future pregnancy, placenta covers entrance to uterus 4-8 women in every 1,000 (uncommon)

Additional consent is required for

Any extra procedures which may become necessary during the procedure

Blood transfusion/cell saver

Additional methods to control bleeding

Repair to damaged organs

Emergency hysterectomy, (very rare) potential threat to life (very very rare)