Though the increasing number of C-sections is well documented, the medical community has not done as well of a job measuring the incidence of fetal laceration or fetal laceration causes. Fetal lacerations, which are the small nicks and cuts on a baby during delivery, are most often associated with C-sections as well as deliveries assisted with vacuum suction or forceps. Because the doctor has to resort to more extreme measures to deliver the baby, this increases the risk that the baby may be harmed or injured.
In many cases, fetal laceration causes include the negligence and inexperience of the medical staff and can easily be prevented if the C-section is performed by a competent and experienced physician.
Fetal lacerations are for the most part harmless and are very shallow cuts that can be immediately treated and sealed. Only in extreme circumstances do these lacerations ever result in serious health problems or complications. In a study of fetal lacerations, experts have identified the most common fetal laceration causes.
Early Rupture of Amniotic Membranes
The membranes of the amniotic sac provide a cushion for the baby, and also prevent the baby’s body from being in direct contact with the uterine wall. When these membranes are ruptured, the baby loses this cushion, increasing the risk that the baby is cut when the doctor makes an incision into the uterine wall. Early rupture of the membrane is one of the most common fetal laceration causes, sometimes occurring naturally and sometimes resulting from the doctor’s actions.
Low Transverse Incision of the Uterus
There are typically two different ways to make an incision during a C-section. Transverse incisions are side-to-side horizontal cuts, and vertical incisions are made from the top to the bottom of the abdomen. In the last 50 years, low transverse incisions have become the more popular type of incision are done in almost 100% of C-sections. This is because they cut across a thinner section of the uterus that has fewer contracting muscles than the top of the uterus. In addition, transverse incisions are much less likely to rupture during a future pregnancy, so they are safer and prevent complications.
The only drawback to low transverse incisions is that they increase the risk of fetal lacerations. This is because the uterine wall is thinner in these areas, and the baby is more likely to be pushing against this section of the uterus. Despite this risk as one of the known fetal laceration causes, these types of incisions are still the best choice in most circumstances.
A Long and Active Labor
Once a labor reaches its active stage, the contractions become much more intense and the cervix begins to dilate. At this point, there is a lot more stress and anxiety during the delivery simply due to the pressure being put on the mother and her body. In addition, this is a critical period for the baby, so this may also contribute to rushed actions by the doctor and medical staff which make it one of the more significant fetal laceration causes.
Emergency C-Sections
The stress levels and urgency of an active labor is nothing compared to the environment during an emergency C-section. When a doctor decides to conduct an emergency C-section, it is typically after the mother has been in labor for several hours. This is done when there have been serious complications and now the baby’s health and well-being is at risk if he is not delivered in a short amount of time.
This type of pressure can make it more difficult for a medical staff to perform well, and because they are now operating under a time limit, they are more prone to making mistakes and being less careful during the C-section, which results in fetal lacerations.
