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

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scaredmommy - 224 days ago.
Information for anyone who fears getting a catheter...My first c-section they tried to insert the catheter into me and I screamed and cried and climbed the table. It took forever because of the pain making it nearly impossible. My second child I went to a different hospital and they inserted the catheter after giving me the spinal medication. So much better! I did not feel a thing! So ask for your hospital staff to put it in in the operating room after the spinal.

Mommyof2Kidos - 230 days ago.
Zajaceks- I would be very careful. If you having discomfort in the evening it may be a sign that you're over doing it. How long has it been? Has your Dr released you to do light activities? You just don't want to undo anything because I heard that be very dangerous to your health.

zajaceks - 230 days ago.
another ? for c sectioners. I have started back excercising just walking and doing lite areobics. I dont hurt during the excercise but at nite my abd is sore when i move and get out of bed is this normal or should I slow down the excercising. Thanks

Mama-of-2boys - 239 days ago.
Well ladies, my time has finally come! Tomorrow is the day my little one will show his face! I'm very excited but very nervous too, not so much about the c-section but just to have a little teeny tiny baby in the house again. I heard the second time around with a c-section is a lot better then the first so I'm just trying to remember that. Plus I'm going to miss the heck out of my 2 1/2 year old I have never been away from him and the thought makes me want to break down in tears! Sigh wish me luck!!

booandaidansmommy - 240 days ago.
To mareya- With my first I was in labor and ended up with a section. With my second I didn't get the date of the section until I was 35 weeks. This time the section was book when I was 20 weeks. I guess it depends on the hospital and your doctor. My OB said slots were filling up, so for a scheduled section she had to book far in advance.

mareya - 240 days ago.
how far in advance is a c-section usually scheduled? i had my 1st c-section at 38 weeks (not planned). My water broke, and 24 hours later i only dilated to 9! So iguess this time, they want to schedule a c-section.

booandaidansmommy - 241 days ago.
To Keznutter--My second child was born at 37 weeks and he ended up in the NICU. His lungs were just not ready. My scheduled section this time is 39 weeks. I refuse to go any earlier unless I go into labor. My OB agrees as well. My scheduled section is now 5 days before my due date. I should say my second child is three now and fine, but that month in the hospital was NOT worth it.

domevapurple - 241 days ago.
two weeks more and its over for pregnancy and welcome for being a new momma! so excited! cant wait to see him,,,, april 10 my sched to c section hope everthing is will be fine. a kinda scared!

indigocream - 242 days ago.
Well ladies has anyone found out why it feels like you are short of breathe after the drugs are given? I have this problem also.... I want my Dr. to know and give me something to stop it.... to me that is the worst part

Keznutter - 242 days ago.
So now the date of my c-section has changed and it looks like its going to end up on my due date anyway.!!! My cousin is married to the head paediatrician at the hospital where I'm having my c-section done and he says that he is just back from a conference where they say that 39 weeks or after is best time for baby to be born, otherwise you risk baby being in NICU, and other problems. Im sacred, I'm ready to have my baby now but I am sacred that I'm putting my child at risk by wanting her to come early.

MaMi143 - 242 days ago.
that picture at the bottom made me think of something. last year with my son they stapled me. oh did those hurt worse than anything! my skin was growing around them only after 5 days! and taking them out hurt but omg when they were out it was like heaven! i could actually stretch! with the staples it felt like my skin was ripping! ouch! but my question was that a friend of mine had 3 c-sactions and her doc used glue eachtime. do you know what the difference is? just curious

MaMi143 - 242 days ago.
so i found out yesterday im having a girl :) and that shes weighing in a week ahead (which is normal) and in the 97th percentile ... but my due date was may 15th and my c-section is for may 6th. now my due date is may 4th. im curious as to if they will take me earlier than i thought. if she is ready to come out i dont see why not. they can tell through ultrasounds if her lungs and everything are mature. my son last year was 10lbs 14oz ... i dont think she will get that big but idk that for a fact. now im anxious to get to my ob!

Keznutter - 242 days ago.
My 3rd c-section is booked for 22 April. Only 27 sleeps left.!!! I still have so much to do, I havent washed any of my baby clothes or finished sorting out my nursery yet. I still have 2 weeks to work, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

surprisedat40 - 243 days ago.
Had my c-section 6 weeks ago and to tell you the truth I don't even remember if they strapped my arms down or not! I was not allowed to have my baby in the room with me the first night - they kept him in the nursery and wheeled him in when he was hungry and handed him to me in bed. I think they worry that you'll drop the baby because your tummy muscles are sore and weak. I got up and showered the next day and walked around and they let me keep him with me the second night. :-)

Mama-of-2boys - 243 days ago.
Tomorrow will be 5 days left before I get to see my little bundle. To tell you honestly anymore I dont care if they strap my hands down I just want to get this all done and over with. I'm so ready! And I'm also excited because I went to my last ultrasound and doctors appt today, I have been going 2 sometimes 3 times a week since Jan. due to PIH and migraines. So now I just figure bring it on I'm ready and been waiting!! Good luck to you ladies with your upcoming c-sections!!

tarlyn - 244 days ago.
Thanks ladies for the info. I found out today the c-section is definite for July 1st, thats about two weeks before my due date. I hope they dont strap my arms down im gonna ask my doc about that. I might have a panic attack!! I can deal with the spinal, is that the same as an epidural? I had that with my other two kids!

pygmalin - 244 days ago.
MaMi_LOL I hear ya! Though I talked to my doc about it and he told me that the hospital I am going to it is a requirement for my saftey..so if I do have a panic attack or get sick I will not pull down the curtian or pull out my IV...I asked if they can be loossened so it is not to restrictive and he said yes. So you might want to ask for your particular hospital.

MaMi143 - 244 days ago.
my c-section is may 6th. CANT WAIT! the only thing im going to b*#^% about is that last year when i had my son , i had him c-section and they strapped my arms down. i didnt like it!!! i was feeling sick from the eppi and meds and that just made it worse!!! i am NOT doing that again. i dont care what they say!

pygmalin - 245 days ago.
3 days and counting...wow its going SOOO SLOW! lol Finally got hubby to shampoo carpets..and start the nesting process I can't..lol Aww to be off bed rest..lol

Mama-of-2boys - 245 days ago.
tarlyn- It took me a while to recover. The first night I will not lie I was in pain and they gave me a shot for it. The next day they have you up and walking around, which I was in some pain but I was mainly sore. All they gave me was tylenol for the pain and to tell yo honestly I dont know why. This time with a new doctor she almost died when I told her they gave me tylenol for the pain, she promised me that there wouldnt be any way in the world that she would do that to me which that makes me feel better. I had stiches with my first son which I actually have a pretty scar, you cant even tell its there, this time this doctor wants to do staples she said that they heal better and faster and she will take the staples out before I leave to go home and put those strip things on there. With my first son I didnt get to keep him in the room with me, they said I wasnt allowed to until the next day I guess because I had the spinal, but the next day I had him the whole time with me until I left. They did strap my arms down which I wasnt to crazy about and I'm going to ask my doctor if they have to do that this time. The spinal didnt hurt it was more like a pinch then I was numb, I had no hard time trying to breathe, it was just a funny feeling when they were taking the baby out. I never felt pain of any kind but I could feel pressure and tugging. Honestly it sort of made me a little sick to my stomach when they were taking him out because of the pressure, but once he came out I was ok. The whole c section isnt bad, its mainly the recovery time which for me anyways was slow and long. But I also did to much and my stiches started to come out which is never a good thing. Other then that I just remember being sore and walking slow, but it felt good to walk and get out of that bed. It is scary because it is surgery, and the recovery time is longer then if you had it natural but in the end its all worth it when you have that little baby in your arms. Good luck

kateez - 246 days ago.
Hi everyone. Tarlyn, i know how you feel. I'm having my first child through c-section on the 10th of April. One of my major worries is feeling like you can't breathe... I'm worried that the epidural or spinal will make me panic and not be able to breathe. I'm also hoping they don't tie my arms down - i don't think they do that here is Australia. It's hard to imagine being in the moment, lying there, half numb and being cut open.

tarlyn - 246 days ago.
ladies i have placenta previa so i guess im gonna have to have a c-section from reading this. I had to vaginal deliveries before. Im seriously freaking out! it sounds so scary. for you ladies who have had one before how long will it take to recover am i gonna even be able to take care of my baby when i come home? do they use stiches or staples? does it leave a bad scar?

Mama-of-2boys - 246 days ago.
chanelle-They wouldnt let me keep my son the first night, but the next day I was able to have him until I left. All hospitals are different. My hubby never stayed in the room with me either we had company come in so he stayed with them at our house. Hope this helps

Mommyof2Kidos - 246 days ago.
Chanelle- I had my son when I was alone. Every hospital is different. If your baby is healthy and you feel up to it, I don't see why your baby can't stay in the room with you. I wish you the best!

chanelle - 246 days ago.
I have a question. This will be my 3rd section but with the other 2 I had my hubby with me pretty much the whole stay at the hospital. But with this one he is going to have to be with the kids. Have any of you had the section with out anyone in the hospital room with you? Im not sure they are going to let me keep the baby in the room with me with out anyone with me. I just wanted to know if there is going to be any thing I should know. Thanks