Will I need to have a Cesarean Section?

If you are having your FIRST baby (primipara) there is away to predict your chances of having a difficult labor or Cesarean Section. This prediction formula was developed by North Florida Women’s Physicians and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida. The Cesarean Section Rate at North Florida Women’s Physicians is less than the national average so your probability of having a Cesarean Section may actually be a little higher than predicted by this formula if you are in a different Obstetric practice. Certainly, these predictions require Physician input and validation.

In general women having their first child who are older, heavier, shorter and gain more weight during their pregnancy are much more likely to have a difficult labor or Cesarean Section. In addition, women who have larger babies are more likely to have difficult labors. If you have just become pregnant just fill in your height, weight and age at that time and the calculator will predict your risk of Cesarean Section and difficult labor (CPD). If you are at the end of your pregnancy you can also fill in the blanks for weeks pregnant (Gestational Age), estimated fetal weight (birth weight), and weight gain for the pregnancy.

This formula is less accurate for prediction of Cesarean Section in women who deliver prematurely (less than 37 weeks) and who go well past their due date (42 weeks Gestational Age). In both groups the actual risk of Cesarean Section is higher than the formula predicts. AGAIN, Physician validation and input are essential.

To start predicting your risk of Cesarean Section using our web-page based calculator, click here.