Preparing for a caesarean
If you know you’re going to have
a cesarean getting clued in to what’s likely to happen will help calm your
nerves on the day…
Before the surgery
- You’ll be asked not to eat
or drink for a number of hours before the procedure.
- On the day, your OB-GYN will
explain why she feels it’s necessary for you to have a cesarean, talk you
through the procedure and get you to sign a consent form. Now’s the time to ask
questions if you have any, and flag up any needs you might have – for example,
do you want to find out the baby’s sex yourself or do you want to be told? And
do you want to try to breastfeed straightaway?
- Your anesthesiologist will
take you through your options for the surgery – it’s likely you’ll have an epidural
or spinal block for a planned cesarean unless you have any
kind of back problem that makes inserting the anesthesia impossible.
- After your anesthetic has
taken effect, a catheter will be positioned – this is a painless procedure to
allow urine to drain your bladder so that it’s well out of the way for the
surgery. An IV will also be set up.
- Your pubic area will be shaved
in the area where the incision will be made.
- A screen will be erected at
waist level so you can’t see the surgery being performed (you can ask for the
screen to be lowered so you can see the moment of your baby’s birth).
Your baby’s birth
- Your bump will be swabbed with
antiseptic and a small horizontal incision will be made in your lower abdomen
and uterus. The type of incision she makes has a bearing on whether you’ll be
able to try for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with future
children. The standard incision is horizontal and positioned low down, where
your uterus is thinner. With a premature baby, your uterus may not have thinned
out so it’s possible the incision might be what’s called ‘classical’ – vertical
and higher up. There’s more risk of this type of scar rupturing during a VBAC.
- Your baby will be eased out –
you may feel some tugging but you shouldn’t feel any pain. You’ll get the
opportunity to see him briefly before he’s handed to a pediatrician for
examination; he’ll then be wrapped and placed next to your head so you can see
him properly and welcome him into the world.
- Your placenta will be
delivered and your wounds closed up – this can take anything up to half an
hour, much longer than your baby’s birth did!
After the birth
- Expect to stay in hospital for
four or five days after the birth.
- After the operation you
probably won't gain the feeling back in your legs for a few hours or even until
the next day. You’ll probably start to feel a tingling sensation at first and
slowly you will feel your legs again!
- Cesarean babies usually don't
have that scrunched up, blotchy look of a baby who has come out via the birth
canal so your baby really will look picture perfect!
See our article on cesarean sections for more advice.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.