Cesarean Section Delivery

Why would a pregnant woman require a cesarean section?

Cesarean Section Delivery

A cesarean section, or c-section, occurs when you have to have abdominal surgery to remove your baby. A cesaraen may be planned in advanced or it may be a sudden need. Sometimes a cesarean section is necessary for the health of the mother and/or baby. Whether you have a planned cesarean section or an emergency cesarean, you will undergo surgery in the operating room. After the operating room is prepped and ready, you will be brought into the room. Your labor partner will be given a set of scrubs to put on. Because there are so many things going on in the operating room at one time, it is common to have 5-10 healthcare professionals in the operating room during the cesarean section.

Reasons For A Cesarean Section
There a number of reasons that could cause you to have to undergo a cesarean section. If you have had a cesarean previously, you may get the option of having a cesarean or trying for a vaginal. If your baby is breech or you have placenta previa, you will need a cesarean section to deliver your baby. Sometimes doctors will perform cesarean sections if the baby is expected to be very large. If you are carrying multiples, your chances for a cesarean are higher. HIV/AIDS patients almost always give birth via a cesarean section to reduce the risk of infection in the baby. If you have genital herpes and have an outbreak at the time of delivery, your baby will be born through a c-section to prevent infection. Sometimes the cervix stops dilating or the baby does not go into the birth canal properly and this can require a cesarean to deliver the baby. If the umbilical cord comes through the cervix, your baby MUST be born immediately via cesarean section to prevent oxygen from being cut off. This is known as cord prolapse. Sometimes labor is so stressful for a baby that the baby's heart rate drops significantly and raises a cause for concern. If this happens, your doctor may recommend a cesarean to deliver quickly.

Procedure
You will have a catheter inserted to collect urine since you will not be able to get up to use the restroom for quite some time. If you have not had an epidural, you will be given a spinal so that your lower body will be numb for the procedure. You will also have an IV line placed in your arm or hand for medications and fluids. When you are wheeled to the operating room, you will be placed on the operating table and your legs will be strapped to the table to ensure safety. A sterile cloth will be draped in front of you so that you can not see the surgery. Hair around the incision site will be shaved and your skin will be cleansed well with a cold antiseptic solution to prevent infection. Your abdomen will then be draped with sterile material. Once the anesthesia has completely taken effect, your doctor will make an incision above the pubic bone. You will not feel the cutting, but you may hear machines that are used to suction fluids and seal off bleeding. Your doctor will continue cutting deeper into tissues and muscles until he reaches the uterine wall. Once the uterus is reached, your doctor will make one last incision into the uterus. The amniotic sac will be opened and the baby will come through the opening. As your doctor is pulling the baby through the opening, you will feel some pressure and tugging. The doctor will then cut the baby's umbilical cord and your doctor will hold the baby up for a moment before handing him off to a team of neonatal doctors and nurses. Medicine to help your uterus contract will be given through the IV and the placenta will be removed and examined. Your doctor will then suture your incision sites closed and a sterile bandage will placed over the wound. A nurse and the anesthesiologist will remain with you throughout your entire delivery, which will take approximately 45 minutes from start to finish.

Recovery
After you are all stitched up, you will be taken into a recovery room for observation. Nurses will continue to check your vital signs and she will also massage your uterus to get it to contract. You normally stay in the recovery room for approximately 1-2 hours and then go to another room for the remainder of your stay. You may or may not see your baby while you are in the recovery room. Your catheter is usually removed within a day of the surgery and your IV line will also be removed. You will most likely only receive liquids for 24 hours after delivery and then you can normally eat a regular diet.

Recovery after a cesarean section normally takes about 6 weeks. Because you have just had a major abdominal surgery AND given birth to a baby, you should try to take it as easy as you can. You may have gas pains, abdominal pain, uterine contractions and incisional pain. Walking is beneficial to recovery and you should try to walk as soon as possible. Avoid climbing stairs and ask for help with household chores and other children for a few weeks. Do not lift anything heavier than your baby. You will need to wear a sanitary pad for bleeding. This bleeding is called lochia and will last for several weeks. If your incision site becomes swollen, has a foul smell, bleeds or has an increased amount of pain you should call your doctor.

Risks
Because a cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery, there are risks involved. Mothers that undergo cesarean sections are more likely to develop an infection and have longer hospital stays than mothers who have a vaginal delivery. The recovery time is much longer and can be quite painful. Mothers may also experience alot of blood loss and clots following a cesarean section. There is also a risk for bowel and/or bladder injury during the process.

Comments: Cesarean Section Delivery

Comments 101 to 124 of about 314.
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scootsmama - 189 days ago.
Hello! The dr has told me to get prepared for a c section. I am freaking out a little! Please tell me good things about it!

pygmalin - 190 days ago.
Indigo-yeah I have lost some feeling in my lower belly as well...wonder twins unite!... ;-) I am really hoping it goes well, this is the most scared I have been for a surgery. I am already a hormonal basket case..I guess having a baby will do that lol

indigocream - 190 days ago.
Yes I was talking to you, Im sorry that I did not mention your name... but I do understand your concerned this is my 6th C and I have had two tummy tucks and my right ovary and my left tube removed.. So I clearly understand your concerns... What happen to me is that I have almost no feeling in my lower tummy... I guess that is one of my super powers...lol... anywho good luck with your hormones... thats a crazy roller coaster ride.

pygmalin - 191 days ago.
indigocream-I am assuming you where repliying to me? We were aware I needed the surgery before I even concieved but during the C I had a bleeding issue and We dicded it would be wiser to wait..but now it is very needed..But I will still have my overies so hormone changes will not be to bad...but I am concerned about the recovery time. This will be my third surgery in the exact same spot..and I heard it is extreemly painful. And if you weren't talking to me..well then aren't I a silly one..lol... ;-)

completnme - 191 days ago.
this c section has been a mess- i now have a staph infection which slows your healing and adds to the pain-it has never been an easy surgery-im so mad i didnt just choose to have them vaginally -two pushes and i could have been done,now its been a week and i still cant even miss a med time or ill pay

joyce49788 - 192 days ago.
ok... so for those who drove around a week post partum after csection.... if my section is on June 1st... and i am feeling ok, should it be ok to drive June 6th??? slow and steady of course...lol i know that this is my 4th section, and i should be old hat, but i am a little nervous about it, and not sure why... it is the same doc who delivered my 6 yr old so i know he is competent and knows what he is doing...lol... maybe it is cause of my age or something, i dont know. i am 35 anyhow i have 17 days til my section, and can not wait for this to be over, i am soooo uncomfortable right now, and i dont remember it being like this with my other kids. weird...lol

Phoenix39 - 192 days ago.
As for the people wondering when they can drive, it is always best to check with your insurance company because you would be shocked to know they will not cover you for 6-8 weeks after surgery if anything were to happen. I was driving after 1 week but in the same boat, I had to drive and still driving, i just make sure I go the limit and very cautious as I normally am.

Phoenix39 - 192 days ago.
complet lol I had my c-section 3 weeks ago due to baby coming at 35 weeks and being breech. I wanted them to put the catheter back in so I didn't have to hold myself and have so much pain trying to get up to use the washroom. I guess the main point is to remember to take your pain meds every 4 hrs and not to let them wear off any. I was drinking so much water and decided that every hour I was going to get up and use the washroom so I didn't have to hold it and try to get up, the problem came at night time after a sleep, I would wake in lots of pain and trying to hold myself to get to the washroom, I told the nurses they might find a puddle on the floor eventually.

M2G - 192 days ago.
mommy12 - I had an emergency section with my first and a planned with my second and will have another planned this time around. A planned section is so different then an emergency one. It's alot calmer. If you want more details msg me.

indigocream - 192 days ago.
I know you trust your doctor but how come she did not know you needed this surgery at the time of delivery.... I would get a second opinion it seems really soon and the hormon changes will be hard....

pygmalin - 193 days ago.
I know this is a site for getting pregnant and pregnancy related issues..but has anyone or know of anyone who had to have a hysterectomy 2 months after having a C-Section? How was the recovery, more painful than the C? How was mobility and how was taking care of the kids after? I was informed yesturday that my hysterectomy is a must and will be done on the 27th of this month..I am concerned because I still don't feel completely healed..the doc assures me I will be okay and I know he is a compentent doc...I am just worried having a two month old and 10 year old..God forbid anything happens.

rcullen1980 - 193 days ago.
Joyce-I am a week now past my c section and my doctor told me I cannot drive for 3 weeks. She said that I have to be able to press firmly on the brake without any discomfort. The whole process was not as bad as i though it was going to be. I ended up needing the section at the last minute because my boy decided to turn sideways and his head was up in my ribs and the umbilical cord was resting on the top of my cervix. This was the day before my due date so they figured he wasn't going to turn back. But the whole process was very easy. I've not had very much pain and the only thing that bothers me is the fact that I cannot drive. With 2 other children still in school it makes it difficult. But thankfully my husband was able to take leave from work and has been at home helping.

bexcited - 194 days ago.
GLUE GLUE GLUE! It's the best!!!!!!

lizkretcha - 194 days ago.
Has anyone who had a c section test positive for group b strep? Do I still need to be given antibiotics? Also, are staples or stitches better? I was told that I will be getting staples and am freaked out!

-avasmama- - 194 days ago.
Hi, this will be my second csection but the first was not planned. It wasn't an emergency but I still was not expecting it. Anyway does anyone know if it is up to me to choose the date, or does the doc choose? And after how many weeks do they allow for it? Pls message my page as I am not on this forum often. THANKS!

mommy12 - 194 days ago.
Hello I am now 26 weeks pregnant with my 2nd little girl. I was wondering about other mothers c-sections because I may have to have a planned c-section.

kebler98 - 195 days ago.
Joyce- I was told that I wasn't allowed to drive for one week after my last pain pill. (had my son 8/15/08, never got the pain meds filled and was driving one week later after, which was the day my staples were removed.) My hubby is not allowed to drive so like you I HAD to do the driving. Just take it easy and maybe try a trip around the block to see how it feels.

mrsdenney - 195 days ago.
did any of you ladies have an emergency c section where they had to put you out? we didnt have time for an epidural because of the situation. was just wondering other's experiences as far as that goes...i dont even remember them bringing in my son to see me before they took him to the NICU.

indigocream - 195 days ago.
Well my c- section is scheduled and I am so happy... But this weekend was so hard I also changed my mind from 38 weeks to 36 weeks... My God sister had her baby and it was horrible the pushing and screaming I had to leave out it was so stressful for her.... Thank God for the Knife

completnme - 197 days ago.
I got my first c'section on the 9th,omg,who designed these procedures,it was a bit scary with all of the tugging and pulling on your insides,but now i am in recovery and tying to walk and use my muscles again is a journey,i wouldnt reccomend c'section to my worst enemy and mine you i had two vaginal births with no meds before this so i know im not a punk (scared of pain)but it was so intense i wasnt ready for it..anyways my twis are here and so beautiful and i cant wait to be free of this hospital..its funny to be sitting still and think aboout walking over to get some water lkike i did before..and then contiplating the pain that comes with it and actually concider dehydration lol

campimama - 197 days ago.
Joyce- 'THEY' say you are supposed to wait the entire 6 weeks. Umm, no. As long as you can stomp your foot comfortably (as in stomp on the brake if you needed to) you are good to go. When I had my first C, my hubby didn't have his license (he was 22 and had never had it because an accident had scared him). Anyway, as long as you aren't taking pain meds that would interfere, and you can control the vehicle, drive on =) I was driving after about a week with both kids....just see how you feel.

Joyce49788 - 197 days ago.
i know that you are not suppose to drive after a csection... how LONG do you have to go without driving??? if you are feeling ok, can you drive? i have heard differant things, that you have to wait 2 weeks, and i have heard you have to wait the entire 6 weeks before getting behind the wheel again. i am a single mom of soon to be 4 kids... and i dont have alot of ppl to drive me around, so was wondering if anyone experienced the ABILITY to be able to drive about a week AFTER the section????

dlaverty - 198 days ago.
BekahsMommy----i had an emergency section with my son who is now one. As it wasnt planned it was a bit overwhelming but i didnt find the experience too bad if im quite honest. It is quite difficult when you get home as you are very stiff around your tummy area and it can be hard to get in and out of bed and lift a baby etc. My advice is to take any help you are offered, i was living in a town with no family around for support so had to do everything myself. I am now pregnant with my 2nd child and may have to have another section and i feel quite positive about it xx

theclaudios - 199 days ago.
klo--i had back pains also for about two weeks after my csection..it would hurt to even change my sons diaper but it all got better for me four weeks after...

MS.mom - 199 days ago.
Bekahsmommy--It wasn't as bad as I antipated.. I only had a few minutes to anticipate it though! I personally didn't like having a section and really wanted a regular delivery. It freaked me out more than anything. I expected the incision to look a lot worse. Hated the recovery time, bending over can make your incision hurt. So really don't bend over too much for weeks afterwards. I was just picking up clothes in my infants room off the floor and empty gift bags and hurt myself--I felt fine before then. It sounds a lot scarier than what it is though. best of luck to everyone!