Vaginal delivery ​

​​​Choosing a delivery option is a deeply personal decision. Doctor Karen understands that every woman has her ideals and preferences and works within the boundaries of her physical makeup and any medical conditions to ensure that her special day goes according to plan. 

Doctor Karen discusses the baby’s birth well in advance to ensure that mom-to-be is equipped with the right information to make the best decision in terms of confidently:

• Birthing plan,
• Pain management plan, and
• Contingencies during the various stages of labour

​Doctor Karen welcomes discussions and any questions about labour, from when the water breaks and contractions start, through dilation and the birthing process to help prepare her patients and partners as best possible for their very special day.

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C-section delivery ​

​​​A cesarean section (C-section) is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. It is performed once the option for a natural delivery is ruled out for various reasons, such as:

• Medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease
• Infections such as HIV or active genital herpes 
• The baby’s health, such as an illness or a congenital condition 
• The baby’s weight, a large baby, may not easily move down the birth canal.
• The patient’s weight and age
• Breech position
• Multiples
• Placental problems
• Other complications such as preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure) or eclampsia (a rare progression of preeclampsia that affects the central nervous system, causing seizures) 
• In some cases, a previous C-section

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Dilation and Evacuation​

​​​Dilation and evacuation (D&E) are done in the second 12 weeks (second trimester) of pregnancy. It usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps).

An ultrasound is done before a D&E to determine the size of the uterus and the number of weeks of the pregnancy.
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A device called a cervical (osmotic) dilator is often inserted into the cervix before the procedure to help slowly open (dilate) the cervix. Dilating the cervix reduces the risk of any injury to the cervix during the procedure. Misoprostol may also be given several hours before surgery. This medicine can help soften the cervix.