Where is c section performed

The epidural is a plastic tube that will be inserted into a space around the lining of your spine. Local anaesthetic will be injected through the tube, which will block any pain sensation from your waist down. As your baby is being born, you may feel tugging and pulling sensations, but no pain a general anaesthetic may also be given if your baby needs to be born very quickly.

You will breathe oxygen through a mask and you will be given medicine through a drip, which will make you drowsy and put you to sleep. Types of caesarean sections Caesarean sections differ in terms of where the cuts incisions are made to the uterus. The two types of cuts that can be used when you have a caesarean section are: a lower segment incision — will be used wherever possible.

These cuts heal better, are less visible and are less likely to cause problems in future pregnancies. The cut on the abdomen may be horizontal or vertical. This type of incision is usually only used for extreme emergencies or in specific situations, such as if the placenta is lying very low, if your baby is lying sideways or if your baby is very small. It can increase the chance of having problems in later pregnancies and births.

Preparing for a caesarean section To prepare for your caesarean section: You will need to fast. That means no food or drink, including water, for six hours before a planned caesarean. If you are having an emergency caesarean, the doctor will ask you when you last had any food or drink so they know how to proceed with your operation.

You will have blood tests taken. You may have a support person with you, unless there are serious complications or you need a general anaesthetic. It is generally possible for someone to take photos of your baby being born, so ask your support person to bring a camera if they have one. If you have any special preferences, talk to your doctor or midwife beforehand, so they can try to support your choices.

If the doctor believes you are at increased risk of blood clots, you may be measured for compression stockings to wear during the operation. The theatre team will clean your abdomen with antiseptic and cover it with sterile cloths to reduce the risk of infection. In many hospitals, the hair around the area to be cut is shaved so that it is easier to clean. You will have a catheter plastic tube inserted into your bladder so that it remains empty during the operation.

During a caesarean section The actual operation usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. It will involve: The doctor will make a cut in your abdomen and your uterus both about 10 cm long. Your baby will be lifted out through the cut. Your baby will be carefully checked. You will be able to hold your baby soon afterwards. Skin-to-skin contact can strengthen your early bond with your baby and make breastfeeding easier. If you cannot hold your baby in the operating theatre, your support person will most likely be able to hold your baby instead.

The umbilical cord will be cut and your placenta removed. An injection will usually be given to make your uterus contract and to minimise bleeding. Antibiotics will be given to reduce the risk of infection. The layers of muscle, fat and skin will be stitched back together and a dressing will be applied over the wound.

After a caesarean section A number of things will occur after you have a caesarean section, including: You will be cared for in the recovery room until you are ready to go to the ward.

If you have had a general anaesthetic, you will most likely wake up in the recovery room. You should be able to see your baby once you are awake. You will be encouraged to breastfeed. The earlier you start to breastfeed, the easier it is likely to be for both you and your baby.

Having a caesarean section can make breastfeeding harder to start, so ask for all the support you need. Breastfeeding is the best possible food to help your baby grow healthy and strong, and the midwives are there to help you. Some hospitals encourage women to breastfeed their baby in the recovery room if there is a midwife to assist. Tell your midwife or doctor when you are feeling pain so they can give you something to ease it.

Pain-relieving medication may make you a little drowsy. You may have a drip for the first 24 hours or so, until you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You can start to drink after any nausea has passed.

The midwife or doctor will tell you when you can eat again. Your catheter will stay in until the anaesthetic has worn off and you have normal sensation in your legs to walk safely to the toilet. This may not be until the next day. Walking around can help with recovery. It can also stop blood clots and swelling in your legs. A midwife will help you the first time you get out of bed. You may also have an injection to stop blood clots. You may need antibiotics after the operation.

You may have trouble with bowel movements for a short time after the operation. It should help to drink plenty of water and eat high-fibre food. The doctor or midwife can give you more advice. When your dressing is taken off, you will be instructed to keep the wound clean and dry. This will help it to heal faster and reduce the risk of infection. Special care for your baby after a caesarean section After a caesarean, your baby is more likely to have breathing problems and be admitted to the special care nursery for a period of time although they are usually ready to go home when you are.

Risks and complications of a caesarean section In Australia, a caesarean section is a common and relatively safe surgical procedure, but it is still major surgery. Surrounding organs like your bowel or bladder can be injured and require additional surgery to fix. Very rarely, the lining of the uterus becomes inflamed or irritated called endometritis. So, if you notice increasing pelvic pain, unusual discharge or a fever after birth, call your doctor right away.

As for babies born by C-section, they may be at a higher risk of transient tachypnea, rapid breathing caused by leftover fluid in the lungs. While the condition sounds frightening, it usually only lasts for a day after delivery and then goes away on its own. The latest guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG recommend that moms and their doctors always plan for a vaginal delivery unless a C-section is medically required.

The group also suggests that other labor interventions be delayed or avoided if possible in women with low-risk pregnancies where Mom and baby are progressing normally. For women who decide to go through with an elective C-section, ACOG recommends scheduling the procedure no earlier than 39 weeks of pregnancy.

The group asks that doctors remind women that the of risk of placenta previa, placenta accreta and hysterectomy increase with every cesarean delivery. Since cesareans are safe and can prevent the pain of labor, some women particularly those who've had a C-section before prefer them to vaginal deliveries and ask for them in advance. The rate is dropping, however, since there has been quite a push to lower C-section rates in the U. Obstetricians and other experts are encouraging more trials of labor to promote VBACs and more widespread use of vacuum and forceps during delivery to prevent unnecessary surgical deliveries.

Still wondering if you should request an elective C-section? Before you do, ask yourself the following questions and talk with your practitioner so you can decide what's right for you and your baby. While you may be eager to start caring for your precious newborn, the physical and emotional recovery after a C-section takes longer than it does after a vaginal birth.

Typical C-section stays average about three to four days, depending on any complications you may have had during surgery. Remember, slow and steady wins this race! Ignoring this advice will only lead to a longer C-section recovery, so keep these strategies in mind:. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.

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Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Having a C-Section Cesarean Section. Medically Reviewed by Oluwatosin Goje, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Monet Nicole. Labor that fails to progress or doesn't progress the way it should.

Size of the fetus. The baby is too large for your provider to deliver vaginally. Placenta problems. This includes placenta previa, in which the placenta blocks the cervix. Premature detachment from the fetus is known as abruption. Certain conditions in the mother, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or HIV infection.

After a C-section, a woman may not be able to have a vaginal birth in a future pregnancy. It will depend on the type of uterine incision used. Vertical scars of the uterus are not strong enough to hold together during labor contractions, so a repeat C-section is necessary. You may have other risks that are unique to you. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure, if possible. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure.

Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is unclear. You will be asked when you last had anything to eat or drink. If your C-section is planned and requires general, spinal, or epidural anesthesia, you will be asked to not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure. Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicine, latex, iodine, tape, or anesthesia.

Tell your healthcare provider of all medicine prescription and over-the-counter , vitamins, herbs, and supplements that you are taking. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medicines anticoagulants , aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting.

You may be told to stop these medicines before the procedure. You may be given medicine to decrease the acid in your stomach. These also help dry the secretions in your mouth and breathing passages. Plan to have someone stay with you after a C-section. You may have pain in the first few days and will need help with the baby. A C-section will be done in an operating room or a special delivery room.

Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices. In most cases, you will be awake for a C-section. Only in rare cases will a mother need medicine that puts her into a deep sleep general anesthesia.

Most C-sections are done with a regional anesthesia such as an epidural or spinal. With these, you will have no feeling from your waist down, but you will be awake and able to hear and see your baby as soon as he or she is born. Hair around the surgical site may be shaved.