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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JK8488 - 255 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 - 255 days ago.
mamaof2-thankyou-i have been waiting for a detailed explanation!!

completnme - 255 days ago.
Whaaat?! I thought tha c'section scar on here was a reinactment-that is real,that looks so painful and coco butter rebellious..lord what next,my section is scheduled for the 9th of june, it is my first c'section,i am having twins,they actually asked me if i wanted to go vaginal again-but the thought of giving birth twice in one day-oh hell no-so i opted for the surgery-now im stuck on baby shows watching c'section after c'section and lord-lord-lord-anyways jus' sharin' my story ttyl

pygmalin - 255 days ago.
13 days and counting before my C section..Doc said there is no way he is going to let me go vag..I am so disapointed..

Mama-of-2boys - 255 days ago.
I know I went to the O.R. and I sat on a table. They did my spinal block its doesnt really hurt its more like an ouch, then you go numb. They help lay me down on the table and got all ready with the screen and everything. At the time I didnt know that they gave me a cath, but I'm very thankful they did that after I was numb that kinda hurts. Then they called my hubby in the room and he sat next to me. I remember feeling a lot of pressure, no pain just pressure. I could feel like them trying to get my son out and what not. Then I heard sucking noises as they were cleaning his nose and mouth out, then they cleaned him up and brought him over for me to see him. As I was looking at him thats when they were stiching me back up, I never even knew. Then they gave me this stuff in my IV and I woke up in the recovery room, for like ten mins then I woke up later that night and I was in my room. I was awake through the whole thing until at the very last. The next day they made me get up and walk, which was bitter sweet bc it was nice to get out of bed but I was very sore. I never got any pain meds with my son but my doctor that I have this time said most diffently I will get them this time. I just walked really slow and couldnt move to fast. The only thing that hurt was when I had to cough or sneeze, I would just put a pillow against my tummy and press as hard as I could without it hurting and lightly cough. As far as sneezing I did that once and from then on I did lol. You dont understand how much you use those muscles until you have a c section. But it will be ok it took me about 6-8 weeks to feel totally ok. My cut was sore for a while, but the soreness went away within that time. I hope that this helps you some, and dont worry you will be ok just take it easy, I get to have my c section in two more weeks. Good luck

domevapurple - 256 days ago.
ladies,,,,, pls give me info how the c section goes i mean from the start did you guys feel really hurt when they inject in your back? how long before its done...? im scared huhuhuhuhuhu did you guys sleep while they do the operate hay its my first time thats why i feel like this,, one more time if you are in c section they still check the cm on you,,,, help plssssssssssssssss thanks

primetime - 256 days ago.
I had stiches with my first c-sec. and staples with my 2nd. with the stiches, they got infected and I split open, gross. With the staples they were out within a few days and the scaring is so much less. Good luck laides and god bless

Mama-of-2boys - 257 days ago.
Yea I know the staples look like they hurt lol. I had problems with my stiches the last time, I did way to much and they started to come open on both sides which wasnt all that much fun. I will try anything once and doc informs me that the staples wont do that but yeah ....they look awful lol

CelticBabe2009 - 257 days ago.
I had dissolving stitches and the dissolving tape when I had mine. Felt great and never had a bit of problem. My scar is only noticeable if you are looking for it, though I doubt it will remain so once I have the next one in Sept. The pic of the staples looks completely barbaric! *shudder*

Mama-of-2boys - 257 days ago.
No I haven't tried the c-section panties, but I was reading a mag. and saw them in there. I thought that was a pretty cool idea. I have 2 1/2 weeks left to go before I get to see my second little baby boy. My doctor told me that she prefers to use staples which I'm curious to see how that feels since the last time I had stiches. My doctor said that she would take the staples out on the second day to prevent them from having the skin grow around them, and I will be left with those band-aid things. Kinda freaks me out a little ha ha.

indigocream - 259 days ago.
Wow its been 5 years since my last c-section and I stated in the hospital for 5 days.... With no problems or complications. I hope its 3 to 4 days for me also....with stitches not staples. I had both and I prefered stitches. Has anyone tried the c-section panties... or any other new products designed for the c-section hottie? ;)

Mama-of-2boys - 261 days ago.
With my first son I had the stiches that dissolved, with this one the doc wants to do staples, different doc too by the way. Either way I dont care as long as she keeps my c section scar as pretty as possible lol. I get to have my baby at 38 weeks due to PIH and migraines. Otherwise it would have been 39 weeks. My first son I also had him at 38 weeks they thought he was going to be way to be for me like 8-9 pounds come to find out they were waaaay wrong he was only 5 pounds 11 oz lol. I stayed in the hospital with him for two nights and left the next day. I asked my doc the other day when I have this baby if I could leave the hospital the next day and she said yes as long as I feel ok and the baby is doing alright there isnt a problem.

booandaidansmommy - 264 days ago.
I had staples with the first, and dissolvable stitches with my second. No problems with either. The staples were done by the covering OB as I had been laboring. My regular OB does the dissolvable stitches, apparently it minimizes the scar, but honestly I had no difference with either. I figure I'll get be getting the dissolvable stitches again this time.

Peach - 264 days ago.
I see. Thanks for the clarifications. Yes, those must be staples. I had the dissolvable stitches, too, and had no problems with healing after the C-section.

jacquelyn - 264 days ago.
I had the stitches that dissolve as well. I have known women who had complications with the wound not healing properly or reopening after having staples, but have never heard of anything like that after the disolving stitches, so I'm glad that's what they use at my hospital.

sarahc - 264 days ago.
i was lucky and had disolvable stitches so no removing them! It's a year later and my scar is almost not visible even though it was an emergency c section. so impressed! hope it will be as well done this time around. those staples look terrifying

little1.com - 266 days ago.
to me the picture loks liek it is staples not stiches! i had staples and they get removed before u leave the hospital and my scar is lovely! they fold the skin over before stapleing so it looks a bti like a worm....i cried when i seen it with the staples in but now its lovely...realy thin low and neat!

military~mommy - 266 days ago.
Or you can ask not to be stitched at all.... I had internal stiches, but externally they used surgical tape which stayed on for a week before it was removed. My scar isn't the prettiest, but it is thin and I didn't have to have stitches removed....

McGill31 - 266 days ago.
My Baby had to be born early due to my high protien count and very high blood pressure. I stayed in the hospital on bed rest for 3 weeks before he was born and then 3 days after. I got to come home today 3/2/09 but my baby has to stay in the NICU for a while, not sure how long. He is very special to us and can't believe he is here. We are so happy and can't wait to bring him home.

Peach - 266 days ago.
If you are scheduling a c-section, ask if you can have better looking stitches than the ones that are pictured here! My incision was much more thin. I had a really good doctor, just by chance as I had an emergency C-section. You can try to request stitches that are not as noticeable. I don't know what kind I had, but I need to look it up just in case I need another C-section with my current pregnancy and a VBAC doesn't work.

Peach - 266 days ago.
I had my C-section on a Monday night at 9pm. I could have gone home on Thursday, but my baby and I had trouble learning to breastfeed, so I stayed an extra day to get more help with it.

pygmalin - 266 days ago.
Thanks to all who responded...yikers I was hoping for an in and out...I have had multiple surgeries on my uterus but they have never had to go into it... so to speak...so I was in and out. My biggest fear is not getting any sleep...I swear hospitals have a sleep conspiriscy (sp) LOL the second you close your eyes they wake you up....

2ndtimemommymel - 266 days ago.
When I had my c-section, I delivered on Tuesday and went home on thursday.

Mommyof2Kidos - 266 days ago.
It really depends on your recovery time frame. My last c-section blood pressure dropped pretty low so they decided to keep me for 4days! I would plan to stay 2-3days at least.

PreggersAgainYippee - 266 days ago.
I had my c-section early in the morning and was told after 2-3 nights I could go home. I chose to stay the 3rd night and then went home.