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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Mama-of-2boys - 246 days ago.
supastar97- All I can tell you is that everything that you will go through is so worth it in the end when you get to see that little tiny person. Just take things slow and enjoy the baby and the time in the hospital that you both will have together to bond. Good luck on your c-section and with the new baby.

Mama-of-2boys - 246 days ago.
completnme- I dont know how it is at your hospital, but at the one I'm going to they wont let you dress the baby in any clothes until its time for the baby to go home. They want all the babies looking the same so if someone trys to walk out with one of them then they will be able to know. I personally think its stupid lol. I know when I had my son, the first night I had my c-section I wasnt able to have him in the room with me all night long until the next day. They said that they wanted me to be able to get up and walk just in case something happend. I dont know how it is going to be at this hospital where I'am or the hospital where you are. The best thing is to just ask.

Mommyof2Kidos - 246 days ago.
completnme- From what I was told by my Dr, as long as the baby is healthy and doing well they can remain in the room with you. If you needed to get some rest or something you can request for your baby to go to the nursey, but other than that they will stay with you. As far as packing your bags, I would pack comfortable sleepwear for your baby so when they check his/her vitals they won't have to totally undress your baby. I know they check vitals periodically throughout your stay. I wish you a safe and happy delivery!

completnme - 247 days ago.
i have a question- are we supposed to pack the 3-4 putfits for the babies also for the stay at the hospital, im doing my bag please and i am so confused.Are the babies in the room with us the whole stay, this will be my first labour full term so im confused,im used to going home alone and coming back to the nicu for weeks on end,anyways please let me know

supastar97 - 247 days ago.
I am having a c-section Monday morning. Any positive advice?

Mama-of-2boys - 247 days ago.
Candice- Yes it is a very different feeling, but you really dont feel too much other then pushing and tugging to get the baby out. Other then that, that is all I felt. This to will be my second c section and I'm also nervous but very excited all at the same time. Good luck to you on the 23rd of April.

CelticBabe2009 - 248 days ago.
BedRest- I BF as soon as they finished stitching me up. Your bottom half doesn't work, but they prop you up so you can. Just make it clear before you go in that you want to BF immediately. Have whoever is going with you follow up and make sure that it happens.

Mama-of-2boys - 248 days ago.
I would ask all the questions you have before the time comes, we are paying the doctors to answer our questions :) I dont know if you can request that they dont tie your arms up, but I will make sure that I ask this coming Tuesday at my doctors office. I know they do it for safety so you wont freak out and like rip down the curtain or anything lol. I know that they gave me a spinal and it was just a matter of seconds afterward that I felt it. I couldnt even try to help them put my legs on the table, it was a very odd feeling, trying to move but you cant. That is the main thing about the whole thing that I really didnt like is the feeling that I couldnt move when I wanted to very strange.

pygmalin - 248 days ago.
Can you request not to be tied down...having my hands straped will send me into a panic attack...I have a list of questions to ask do I am affraid he is going to be annoyed with me..lol

Mommyof2Kidos - 248 days ago.
Thanks Kebler98! Another question... When you were in the Recovery Room were you allowed to have your baby with you? I'm going to breastfeed so I wanted to start asap to help my milk come in quickly.

kebler98 - 249 days ago.
ok, I had my cs 7 months ago, but I don't think I will ever forget it. I had the epidural (it took 2 tries for them to get it in). It immediately started working. My legs went numb and I was laid on the table. They inserted a cather and then taped my arms to the table spread out. It was not like the picture. I was so scared, but it wasn't that bad. (My son's ear had grown into some old scar tissues so he wasn't going to come out naturally so we did the cs.) They got my tummy ready and the doc came in and started cutting then my hubby was allowed in. It seemed like forever, but about 5 minutes later I heard my baby crying. They didn't show him to me but my hubby got to get up and cut the cord the rest of the way. (That made me cry harder) And remember my arms were taped down, I couldn't wipe my tears. But They closed me up, gave me my little one and wheeled me back to my room where my family was waiting. Good luck and I know it is hard because it is surgery, but remember you will get to see your little one.

Mommyof2Kidos - 249 days ago.
I still have 6wks to go before my c-section, but I'm starting to get nervous. My 1st c-section was an emergency and I was put to sleep. This time I'll be awake, and I'm not sure what to expect. I've heard different things about a spinal vs. epidural and I'm not sure which one to get. Any suggestions?

domevapurple - 249 days ago.
guys after the injection on your back how long they start cut your tummy?

pygmalin - 250 days ago.
Momma of 2- my Section is schedualed for the 26th, I have preop on the 25th...so 8 days and counting...lol Are you having yours tomarrow? Oh goodness...Good Luck...Post pics of LO..My son will be eight days early but they felt it safer in my situation...the bigger he gets the more likly my Uterus will rupture...he is almost 8 lbs right now..and I am feeling every pain...but it will be all worth it! You'll be in my thoughts good luck

Mama-of-2boys - 250 days ago.
pygmalin- Sigh I know :) I had to go to the doctor today for my pre-op appt. That just made it that much more real! When are you able to have your c-section? Good luck to you though when you have it.

pygmalin - 251 days ago.
Mommaof 2_ Oh yes I am finding more and more things I need to do..or hubby needs to do..lol..that I am feeling overwhelmed yet I want to see him..I just have to much to do..I have Round ligament issues so each day I see things that need to be done but can't cause of the pain..I can do a bit here a there but the urge to nest is becoming overwhelming because I physically can't..grr..lol

Mama-of-2boys - 251 days ago.
pygmalin- I know its very hard. I feel like my time is never going to come fast enough, but when I look at how little time I have I freak out because I feel so unprepared this time. I just try to keep myself as busy as I can so maybe the time will feel like it will be here sooner. Good luck!!!

Mama-of-2boys - 251 days ago.
lin- To tell you honestly I dont know I never asked about a bath. I wouldnt think that you should take a bath until you are able to get in and out of the bath without it hurting and until your wound is fully closed so there is no way of getting an infection. But that is just what I think and I'm no doctor :)

pygmalin - 251 days ago.
10 days and counting! getting nervous now..trying to stay calm and relaxed but it almost impossible!

Mama-of-2boys - 253 days ago.
completnme- You are very welcome lol I just wish I found a site like this when I had my first son. I'm counting down my days til I have my c section again, this time I'm not freaked out. I guess because its not an emergency and I already know what to expect. The hard part is going to be having to be away from my 2 1/2 year old son. I have never been away from him and the thought about it makes my heart hurt, but I know it will be ok because I will have another little one to worry and take care of. As time approaches I'm getting way more excited, cant believe I actually say I'm excited about getting cut open but I am lol I'm just so happy for all of this to finally be over and to hold that little baby. Two more weeks YAY

rachaelmac - 253 days ago.
i just though i would say when i had my c section 2 years ago i had staples they were sore and went wrong i had a few taken out on day 3 and my scar came open a little so she stopped and said i would have to wait a few more days so she came back on day 5 and took the rest out only to find out the last 2 were stuck so i had to go back to the labour ward and get them to take them out i never got asked weathwer i wonted staples or stiches, i have just found out im pregnant agin and im worried about the after care i will get this time and im not sure weather to ask for stitches or not as i havent had them and dont no what they are like so ill just prob wait and see xx

Mommyof2Kidos - 253 days ago.
Amy- I would talk to my Dr. they may be able to put you on antibiotics so you don't catch anything from the girls. Hope this helps. I wish you a happy and safe delivery.

Amy208 - 254 days ago.
Ok so my C section is scheduled for Tuesday and both my girls woke up this morning with horrible colds. If I get a cough or sore throat they wont do the surgery right? UGHHHH I am freaking out.

JK8488 - 254 days ago.
I had a C-Section with my first daughter because they said she was sunny side up. Never heard of that before and didn't tell me offered to use the forceps and suction after 14 hours of labor I said NO THANK GOD they wheeled me into a room told me to tell them when I was having a contraction. put the needle in my back (you don't feel it that much) you lay back on the table and where I live they tye your arms to the table (wish they would have told me about that ahead of time) it is so you can't freak out. They iodine on your belly you may feel your chest getting heavy. You feel a little tugging, they you will have your baby. I am so glad that they di the C-Section because they never told me of the dangers of the forcepts and suction. The doctor told me he was glad that I opted for the C-Section becaus he would have broken most of the bones in my babies face. I was SOOOOOOOO MAD At our hospital they use little pieces of butterfly tape and will just fall off as they were ready

completnme - 254 days ago.
mamaof2-thankyou-i have been waiting for a detailed explanation!!