Insertion of a balloon device to disimpact an engaged fetal head before an emergency caesarean section

The condition

During a caesarean the baby is delivered through an opening that is cut in the mother's abdomen and womb.

It can be difficult to do a caesarean if the baby's head has moved down into the mother's pelvis (that is, when the baby's head is engaged). The obstetrician or midwife may put their hand in the woman's vagina and push the baby's head back up the pelvis so that it may be delivered head first through the opening made in the mother's abdomen. Another option is that during the caesarean the obstetrician delivers the baby feet first through the opening. Both of these options have risks including injury to the baby, and damage to blood vessels and tissues and severe bleeding in the mother. Problems moving the baby's head may mean that delivery is delayed, which is also a risk to mother and baby.

NICE has looked at using insertion of a balloon device to disimpact an engaged fetal head before an emergency caesarean section as another treatment option.

NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) and NICE's information for the public about caesarean section may be a good place to find out more.