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 1 to 24 of about 960.
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bigmuma - 4 hours ago.
cowgirl- believe it or not i did the whole lamaz thing and used none of it during my first birth. I got the whole way and pushed for 2 hrs and then had c-section. Go on you tube and find some birthing videos and google on the net to find good birthing positions. Most of it comes naturally and with the help of a good doc and mostly a good mid wife you should be fine. xx

us-n-kenzie - 18 hours ago.
Moving my C-Section up another week was a no go. I did not get my normal Dr cuz she got stuck at the hospital so I asked the Dr that was there in her place and she said that they try to keep them scheduled for 1 week before the due date. The baby is 4lbs 10 ounces at the ultrasound Wednesday and I am 32 weeks, so I thought I could convince her. Oh well, I tried.

cowgirl - 2 days ago.
I am having a planned c/s and quite frankly I've wanted it that way all along, but lately I have been wanting to try a vbac for a quicker recovery. I had a c/s with my daughter because she refused to come out. My problem is it's now too late to get childbirth classes and I haven't the first clue how to cope with a normal delivery. My doctor says that if I go in to labour early and progress well, he'll allow me to give it a go. But I'm scared about the possiblity of rupturing while pushing...my daughter was 8lbs 12oz and they say the second baby is usually bigger? Ultimately, I just want both of us to be safe. Is there anyone else who has had the same dilema?

my2beautifulgirls - 2 days ago.
us-n-kenzie, if i was you i'ld speak to the doctor. If he wont give you two weeks early try for a week and a half. Tell him about you UTI. It can't hurt you to atleast try anyway. I hope that you get what you want. Good luck!

my2beautifulgirls - 2 days ago.
My first c-section was done two weeks early, but i had alot of amniotic fluid, and high blood pressure. Not to mention she was 9lb10 and 54cm long. It was a failed induction. She was fine! My second was born 1 week early by c-section aswell, i had high blood pressure. Erin was 8lb13 when she was born, 52cm and she couldn't maintain her temp. Other than that she was fine. I know i'm having another c-section in sep. I'm gonna try to get mine 1 and a half weeks early. See what happen's.

bigmuma - 2 days ago.
Most c-sections are done 2 weeks early becasue it usually (unless you me) rules out going into labour. I dont know why they have only put you a week ahead. Thats wierd. My baby started coming by himself the day before i was due for c-section and he was taken to special care because he wasnt breathing properly adn coulndnt maintaine his temp so maybe the xtra week will be of benifit. ??

us-n-kenzie - 3 days ago.
I had a C-Section with my first only because she refused to come out on her own, even with pitocin. Now this one we have scheduled the C-Section date one week ahead of my due date (due date is June 30th and the Section is scheduled for the 25th). My baby has been measuring big the whole pregnancy, which is common, I know. I am having another ultrasound tomorrow, so I was wondering if it will do any good to ask the Dr if we can move the Section up yet another week (making me 38 weeks pregnant) if the baby is still measuring big. Has anyone had any luck with this? I am just SOOOO tired of being pregnant and now I have had a UTI for two weeks that we cannot get rid of cuz the antibiotics are making me sick and I just want it all over with already!!

atrip1 - 3 days ago.
For those who have had a c-section, like me, did you or do you still experience numbness around that area? I heard it was normal but my god it's very uncomfortable =( I keep scratching it and I feel nothing.

bigmuma - 3 days ago.
My second planned c-section baby also had trouble maintaing his temp. He also was breathing too fast. My second section being planned scared the hell out of me but it all ended in a rush because i went into labour and was 4 cm when they bothered to look so i was fighting contractions as they were doing the epidural needle. If i do get pregnant again i would rather be knocked out for it. I was so scared that i would feel the op. I didnt though i made sure they gave me more than enough blocker lol. He kept pricking my boobs saying can you fell that to shich i kep replying yep until i was no numb i could have had a mack truck run accross me and i wouldnt have felt it. After it was over he said he thought he had given me too much blocker and i said yes i did that on purpose lol. Its daunting but you will be ok and you do get your prize of a buba at the end of it who is safe and sound. IF thats not enough to make you excited then i dont know what is lol. Be thinking of you. xxx

my2beautifulgirls - 3 days ago.
Abigailsmommy, don't worry too much! I'm sorry to hear that your bub hasn't turned. Your concerns are normal! Your c-section is planned which is much better than an emergency one. Just remember that at the end of your surgery you will be holding your bub, and thats all that matters. Its how you and your partner make the experience for yourselves. Try and have an open outlook and stay positive. Also make sure that you know when your pain meds are supposed to be given and ask for them if they haven't been given to you. When you have the chance to get up after your c-section, move and walk around. I have had two c-sections and have had no problem bonding with my babies. With my first i was able to hold her when i was in recovery and they wheeled us into the room together. My second had trouble keeping her temp stable, but she was bought in when i was wheeled back into the room. I'm having my third c/s in sep which i look forward too. I hope this helps. Good luck!

abigailsmommy - 4 days ago.
i'm having my c-section on friday the 9th. i'm petrified!!!! we found out at 37 weeks that we were going to have to schedule a c-section because my little girl is still breech. they did an ecv but it didn't work. i'm really scared of the c-section itself because...well...its just a scary thing to think of going through. but i'm also struggling with the fear that i won't bond with my daughter right away. i feel like i need to go through the whole birth process and have her plopped up on my chest right away. it makes me sad that i won't get to hold her immediately. for those of you who have had a c-section, was that a concern for you or am i the only one?

bigmuma - 5 days ago.
Hi ladies, has anyone here had a vbac after 2 c/s ? i had my last 8 yrs ago and we are trying to concieve but im wondering if they would let me try to birth naturaly since one was becasue she was looking where she was going and the next was planned because he was suposed to be bigger than the first. The first was 9p 8o. xx

Peach - 8 days ago.
I had an unplanned C-section. For a few moments, I wanted to cry when they told me it would happen because I never thought I would have one (everything was 'normal' in the preganancy and indicated it would be a vaginal birth). Then I remembered reading on this website that someone else cried all the way to the operating room and that it made it more difficult; so I 'sucked it up' and focused on the good parts--I would soon see my daughter and the labor would be over soon (after 16 hours!). Everything turned out well. They tried to keep me awake during it, but then I could somewhat feel them make the incision on half of me (that did not hurt...it was just an odd feeling that I faintly felt) and then I felt the doctor poke inside of me (and I said 'ouch'), so they immediately decided that they needed to put me under because the numbing was not strong enough. It was sad to be asleep during the birth (especially because when they put me under, my husband had to leave the room), but I am grateful that it all went smoothly! My stitches are healing well now and the baby is okay. I don't think she could have fit out of my birth canal on her own; even though I am somewhat petite, she ended up being a 9 pound baby! I am grateful I did not need an episiotomy. Overall, I was very pleased with how smoothly things turned out. If you have a planned C-section, don't worry. Just listen to the doctor's advice on what to do in recovery.

shirmar - 13 days ago.
kellie..im 5ft 4ins..too.......but probably more pounds than you............height size shouldnt really matter...........ladies 4 ft & smaller have vaginal deliveries...................in size i think it comes down to what size your baby is & what size your pelvis is..............

clairelouise - 13 days ago.
Hi Everyone ive posted on here before and would appreciate some advice again please, Has anyone had an elected c-section? what were your reasons,? Have you had c-section after a previous vaginal delivery? How different is the recovery process? Does anyone know reasons doctors will refuse a c-section? Thank you, you can message me on my page if you want, thanks again, xxxxxxxxxxxxx

kelli - 13 days ago.
i have a question for people who know about c sections. im 5'4 and i was like 100 lbs before i became pregnant, since then im 3 months and have gained 12 pounds. would they make me have a c section because of my weight or my size. like i know alot of people rip when they have there babies vaginaly so would they take a precaution with me because of my size. or do you think i have a good chance of having the baby normally? also, do c sections hurt while your recovering, and do the scars go away?

juniperberry - 13 days ago.
Helloooo everyone. I had a c-section 3 weeks ago and my angel is Beautiful, Healthy and seemingly Happyyyy :o) Can somebody tell me when it's okay to start working out??? (sit-ups etc) my midwife says not for approx 6 weeks. I've read in here that I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than my baby but I have and everything seems great! I'm scared if I try I might rupture something....apart from that I'm feeling great!!! Keep smiling and take care ((((hugs))))

zachiel - 16 days ago.
hello all, its a good idea to think of something funny or a happy place or sing a song in your head or have your husband or partner talk 2 u, i was so nervous when i had my c section since i didnt feel my legs i felt like well i dont know how to explane how i felt i was scared nervous anxious, nervous and the feeling of not having legs scared the crap out of me, i started to get more and more nervous with each minute, the nurses kept talking to me and asking questions about my family and being nice dancing singing they were just amazing and i was still somehow nervous, nervous to see my baby and idont know what else, but i started to get kind of weird and started to shake like if i was cold and i kept telling the staff im sorry im sorry im just nervous, sorry i dont mean to be this way its just that i cant feel my legs, well they gave me something to calm down not sure if it worked te first time but the second time i belive it did, finally, she is out and they show us our lil angel, and it was the most beautiful feeling in the world, finally i was fine i didnt care about my legs i didnt care about what they were doing down there, i was just calm and happy and couldnt stop staring at ther, she was the most cute lil thing i have ever seen. well thats my story what do u guys think, i realize that i have fobia of not feeling my legs, so next time when we decide to have another baby in the future, it will be defenetly a c section and im going to ask them to put me to sleep till she is out, i dont ever want to go tru that ever again,

ktb - 18 days ago.
navywife - you will be fine. It is kinda weird to feel the pressure but it is not that bad. They will give you meds for nausea, and I am sure that if you needed something to help with nerves they will give you that too. Just let them know what you are experiencing - they are there to help you not make you suffer. The spinal is not that bad either. I am freaked about needles and I have done just fine. I just let them know before they do anything that I afraid of needles and that I need to know b-4 they stick me. They let me know what to expect - the pinch - and that they are starting with the needle. Also there is usually a nurse there to help - you lean on them and they will help to hold you still. As far as removing/delivering organs from the body - you should clarify with your doc. He may just move the uterus around inside you to check for issues. Hope that helps and good luck.

navywife0407 - 19 days ago.
Shirmar, I can think of worse things than a warm feeling I was expecting some intense pain in my lower back and a jerking motion I couldnt control. I hope mine goes as well as yours did. I am having an issue with preterm labor and am 2 and a half cm dilated 50% effaced, I go a little more each time hes expecting me to deliver between 34-36 weeks so my time is fast approaching. I am just glad hubby can be there to talk to me, remind me I am ok. Do they give u anything to calm you down? I dont imagine they would for the sake of the baby

shirmar - 20 days ago.
NAVYWIFE...FOR ME THE SPINAL WAS AN ASBOLUTE WALK IN THE PARK....KINDA A LITTLE PINCH SENSATION IF ANYTHING......THE HARDEST PART FOR ME WAS SITTING STILL...HAHA....THEN STRAIGHT AFTER IT GOES IN YOU'LL GET A KINDA WARM SENSATION IN YOUR LEGS..LIKE YOU WEED YOURSELF...(DONT KNOW IF YOU ACTUALLY DO OR NOT...........THAT WAS THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE PART OF MY SPINAL.....THINKING 'GOD HAVE I WEED MYSELF....HAHA

navywife0407 - 20 days ago.
Shirmar, Thanks tons. It's really close to time for me, the closer it gets the more anxious I get, how bad is the spinal?

KIMIKIMIKIM - 20 days ago.
TORI- USUALLY YOU ARE BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE ANESTHESIA MAY NOT WORK AND THEY HAVE TO KNOCK YOU OUT COMPLETELY (THAT HAPPENED TO MY AUNT)

Tori(a.k.a. Tinkerbell) - 20 days ago.
so you're awake during a c-section?

shirmar - 20 days ago.
navy wife...you'll feel no pain at all.............but you will be able to feel them pulling & tugging at you..trying to get the baby...but no pain...on my last two sections it felt like i was going fall of the side of the bed....you wont feel the cut....just pressure,tugging & pulling kinda feeling....your best to just lie back...sing a silly song in your head or something just to take your mind of it...thats what i had to do....if i didnt i felt like i wouldve let painic set in...best of luck...& rememmber it only takes 20mins or so...its not like hours & hours


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