CESAREAN SECTION
OR C-SECTION

A C-section is becoming a more common delivery type, but it is still a major surgery that carries risks for both mother and child. The risks of a C-section include:

• Bleeding.
• Blood clots.
• Breathing problems for the child, especially if done before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
• Infection.
• Increased risks for future pregnancies.
• Injury to the child during surgery.
• Longer recovery time compared with vaginal birth.
• Surgical injury to other organs.
You and your doctor will discuss your birthing options before your due date. Your doctor will also be able to determine if you or your baby are showing any signs of complications that would require a C-section delivery.

If you and your doctor decide that a C-section is the best option for delivery, your doctor will give you complete instructions about what you can do to lower your risk of complications and have a successful C-section..

As with any pregnancy, prenatal appointments will involve many checkups, which will include blood tests and other examinations to determine your health for the possibility of a C-section.

Your doctor will make sure to record your blood type in case you need a blood transfusion during the surgery. Blood transfusions are rarely needed during a C-section, but your doctor will be prepared for any complications during the surgery.

Even if you aren’t planning to have a C-section, you should always prepare for the unexpected. At prenatal appointments with your doctor, discuss your risk factors for a C-section and what you can do to lower them.

Make sure all of your questions are answered, and that you understand what could happen if you need to have an emergency C-section before your due date.

Because a C-section takes additional time to recover from than normal birth, arranging to have an extra set of hands around the house will be helpful. Not only will you be recovering from surgery, but your new baby will need some attention as well.

Plan to stay in the hospital for three to four days while you recover from your surgery.

Before the surgery, your abdomen will be cleaned and you’ll be prepared for receiving intravenous (IV) fluids into your arm. This allows doctors to administer fluids and any type of medications you may need. You will also have a catheter put in to keep your bladder empty during the surgery.

There are three types of anesthesia offered to delivering mothers:

• Spinal Block:
  Anesthesia is injected directly into the sac that surrounds your spinal cord, thus numbing the lower part of your body
• Epidural :
  A common anesthesia for both vaginal and C-section deliveries, anesthesia is injected into your lower back outside the sac of the spinal cord
• General Anesthesia :
  The anesthesia that puts you into a painless sleep, and is usually reserved for emergency situations

When you have been properly medicated and numbed, your doctor will make an incision just above the pubic hairline. This is typically horizontal across the pelvis. Later, the scar is usually easily coverable, even, for example, in a bikini.

In emergency situations, the incision may be vertical.

Once the incision into your abdomen has been made and the uterus is exposed, your doctor will make an incision into the uterus. This area will be covered during the procedure so you won’t be able to see the procedure.

Your new baby will be removed from your uterus after the second incision is made.

Your doctor will first tend to your baby by clearing their nose and mouth of fluids and clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. Your baby will then be given to hospital staff and they will prepare your baby to be put into your arms.

Meanwhile, your doctor will repair your uterus with dissolving stitches and close your abdominal incision with sutures.