Cesarean Section

 

What is cesarean section?

A cesarean section (C-Section) is the surgical delivery of a baby. During a C-section, the doctor makes an incision (cut) in the mother’s abdominal (belly) wall and uterus (womb). C-sections can help women at risk for complications (problems) and can save the life of the mother and/or baby when there is an emergency.
C-sections are performed by an Obstetrician (a specialist doctor in the management of pregnancy, labor & delivery) and is often a safe procedure.

Why would I need a C-section?

Most C-sections are planned in advance. Some times, it is done in response to a sudden complication.
Common reasons women have a planned C-section:

  • Having a C-section in the past
  • The baby is in a breech (bottom first) or transverse (sideways) position
  • Problems with the placenta growing over cervix called Placenta Previa
  • Having an infection that can pass on to the baby and cause illness
  • Carrying more than one baby (Twins/Triplets)
  • The baby head is too big to fit through the pelvis
  • The baby has certain birth defects that make vaginal birth dangerous

Common reasons women have unplanned C-sections:

  • Your cervix (lower end of the womb) stops dilating (opening) or your baby stops moving down the birth canal
  • Your baby is too big or your pelvis (hip bones) is too small for baby to pass through
  • Your baby’s life is in danger or your life is in danger (For example: your baby’s heart rate is too slow)

What to expect before the procedure?

  • If your C-section is planned, you will be given an appointment time, with instructions
  • You will meet your medical team and they will explain what will happen
  • Your labor support person (birthing buddy) will be able to stay with you
  • You will be set up to special devices to monitor your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure
  • A short, small plastic tube (IV tube) will be inserted into your arm using a needle. The IV will be used to give you medicine and fluids
  • You may be given an antibiotic medicine to prevent infection

How is it commonly performed?

  • You will be taken to the operating room
  • You will get anesthesia (pain medicine)
  • Your belly will be washed and any hair between the belly button and pubic bone will be removed
  • A catheter (a thin tube) will be put into your bladder through your urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body). This will not be painful
  • The doctor will make a 15 -20 cm incision (cut) on your lower belly
  • The doctor will make an opening in your uterus (womb) and remove the baby
  • The umbilical cord will be cut and the placenta will be delivered
  • The uterus (womb) and belly will be closed with dissolvable stiches and maybe staples that are usually removed, a few days later
  • If all is well, you can hold and/or feed your newborn in the operating room and the recovery room
  • The procedure lasts about 45 minutes to an hour

What to expect after surgery?

A few hours after the surgery you will be able to move around and start eating and drinking again. As with any surgery, there is some degree of pain and discomfort after a C-section. Recovery from a C-section is a little longer than recovery for a vaginal birth. Most women go home in 3 days after the surgery. You will not be able to drive or lift anything more than the baby's weight for the next 6 weeks.
For the first few days and weeks after your surgery, you may:

  • feel tired
  • have mild cramps in your belly
  • be constipated and gassy
  • have soreness around the incision (the doctor can give you medicine and/or recommend over-the-counter pain medicine that are safe to take if you are breastfeeding)

What are the risks?

Cesarean delivery is a safe procedure. However, as with any procedure, complications (problems)
can happen. Some complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Injury to surrounding organs
  • Problems with anesthesia
  • Injury to the baby

When to call/go to the emergency?

It is important to go to the emergency and see a doctor if:

  • You have fever
  • There are signs of infection around your incision (swelling, redness, warmth, or pus)
  • There is pain around your incision or in your abdomen that comes on suddenly or gets worse
  • You have bad-smelling vaginal discharge
  • Your vaginal bleeding gets heavier
  • You have leg pain or develop swelling or redness of your legs
  • You have pain in your chest area, feel breathless or your breathing is too fast