What are the different categories of C-section and what do they mean?

[TheChicOfIt]

After watching "One born every minute" last night, I am curious to find out what the different categories of emergency are, as I heard the doctor say - "She's a category 1, and she's a category 2".

Anyone know?

Category 1 means the baby needs to come out right away. I think they have something like 20 minutes (?) from calling a category 1 and then the baby is supposed to be out (although with em it took 45 mins!).
Category 2 is more leisurely.

1. Emergency: immediate threat to the life of mother or fetus.

1. Danger: maternal or fetal compromise, but not immediate life threatening.

1. No danger: early delivery needed, but no maternal or fetal compromise.

1. Elective: delivery timed to suit the mother and the staff.

Selina

Thank you Selina

Category 1:
Magic number is 30 mins from decision to baby being born.

Some babies need to be born much faster than this though. The degree of urgency affects the choice of anaesthetic eg. epidural top up vs. spinal vs. GA.

Selina - where does 'elective due to medical reasons' come in that category?

Hi belgo,
I would say it could be any of 1 to 4 depending on wether the medical reason meant there was imminent danger to mother and/or baby or not(IMO)
Selina

ok thanks!