A cesarean section or C-section birth is the delivery of a baby by surgery. It may be planned by your doctor or occur in an emergency. A c-section can be done for a variety of reasons, including medical problems with the mother or baby, a baby that is too large to give birth to vaginally, a multiple birth or an emergency during vaginal delivery.
Some women recently have begun scheduling c-sections for convenience or to avoid their perceived notion of the pain of vaginal delivery. The March of Dimes states that, "A cesarean section is major surgery and should be done only when the health of the mother or baby is at risk."
Pre-Birth
Many times when a c-section is done, it is because it is necessary for the mother or baby to survive. Talk to your doctor before your due date to understand some of the reasons that you may need to have a c-section and what to expect should it happen.
Some women who have to have a c-section feel as though they may not bond with their child as well as if they had had a vaginal delivery. Others feel as though they have failed. Although these are normal feelings, understand that sometimes a c-section is for the benefit of everyone. Also remember that no matter how you deliver your baby, you will bond with it.
C-Section Delivery
During a c-section a catheter as well as an IV will be placed in you. This is to keep your bladder empty and to provide a way for your body to receive pain medication as well as fluids. During the surgery itself you will feel paralyzed from the chest down. Your vitals will be monitored throughout the procedure.
Your doctor will make a small incision just above your bikini line, cutting several layers of tissue to get to your uterus. Your amniotic fluid will be suctioned, your baby will be lifted out and his or her mouth and nose will be suctioned. Once your baby is safely out the doctor will remove your placenta and the anesthesiologist will administer Pitocin to your uterus to make it contract, slowing bleeding. The doctor will sew the incision site and bleeding will be cauterized. All layers of the incision will be either sewn or stapled shut.
An emergency c-section is the same as a planned c-section, only it's not scheduled and the reason for it may be unexpected. In the event of an emergency c-section, understand that the doctors and staff may be hurried. Try not to panic; the faster they move, the better it is for you and your baby.
There are some risks associated with a c-section, both from the surgery and from anesthesia. These include increased bleeding (which may result in a blood transfusion), an infection in the uterus, incision or other organs, bladder or bowel injury and blood clots. Death is also a possibility, but a very rare one. In addition, breastfeeding is often more difficult for a woman who has had a c-section, partially because they are more uncomfortable than women who deliver vaginally and partly because they spend less time with their baby in the hospital.
The baby may also be adversely affected by the anesthesia, making him or her sluggish or inactive. More babies delivered by c-section have breathing problems than those delivered vaginally.
Recovery
Immediately after your c-section you will be taken to a recovery room for about an hour. You will be allowed only liquids at first. The doctor will remove your catheter the next day and see how your incision is healing. Your doctor will also want you to walk and sit more to aide your body in the healing process.
On the second day after your surgery your staples will be removed, if they were used. The site of your incision will be monitored for infection. Vaginal bleeding will also be observed.
You will probably have to stay in the hospital a little bit longer than if you had had a vaginal delivery. The typical stay for a vaginal delivery is two days, while a c-section stay is three to four days. When you get home you'll have to continue to rest. Right after a c-section you may need help getting in and out of bed and caring for your baby.
A c-section means that your body will need more time to recover after giving birth than if you had a vaginal delivery. Keep in mind that you have undergone major surgery, and you don't want to do too much too quickly.
Becoming pregnant again after a c-section carries some additional risks. These include placenta previa and placenta accreta. Talk to your doctor before planning another pregnancy to make sure that your body is ready for it.
Scars
C-section scars are unavoidable, but their appearance is determined by the procedure itself, the way your body heals and how you take care of the incision. Scars from a c-section are generally small and right above your bikini line. The area may itch, which is normal. Make sure you keep the area clean and dry and watch out for redness, drainage swelling or increased pain or fever.
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