New guidelines try to prevent unnecessary C-sections

In an effort to prevent unnecessary C-sections, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have drafted a new set of recommendations for when the procedure should be carried out.

"Labor takes a little longer than we may have thought," Dr. Aaron Caughey, co-author for ACOG, told the Associated Press.

About one in three women in the United States give birth by a cesarean section, or C-section, which can be life-saving for mother and child. However, many have taken to performing the invasive surgery for convenience's sake, and odds are, if you're first delivery was done via C-section, your next one will be, too.

According to the press release, the following are some new ways doctors can take a step back to avoid unnecessary C-sections in low-risk mothers and babies:

• Allowing prolonged latent (early) phase labor.

• Considering cervical dilation of 6 cm (instead of 4 cm) as the start of active phase labor.

• Allowing more time for labor to progress in the active phase.

• Allowing women to push for at least two hours if they have delivered before, three hours if it's their first delivery, and even longer in some situations, for example, with an epidural.

• Using techniques to assist with vaginal delivery, which is the preferred method when possible. This may include the use of forceps, for example.

• Encouraging patients to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Michele Ondeck, president of the women's group Lamaze International, welcomes the new parameters.

"They need to have a better understanding of what normal labor is," she said.

She also advises that doctors and expecting mothers discuss in detail birthing options other than a C-section, and reach an agreement on what they consider delayed labor.

However, health experts stress, none of this should dissuade physicians from using the procedure any time a mother's or child's safety is in question.