C-Section: Procedure & Recovery

C-Section birth is a relatively complex surgery that has become part of the routine of a child's arrival in the world. What a c-section means in detail and how long it takes to heal to find out in this article. C-Section procedure and recovery.

What is c-section surgery?

Cesarean surgery is the birth of a child through an incision surgically applied to the mother's abdomen and uterus.

In some circumstances, the intervention is scheduled in advance, while in others it is due to an unforeseen complication.

However, it should be stated that not all of the mother's condition is a mandatory indication for c-section surgery and in many cases the obstetrician must decide whether or not it is necessary.

Also, many women who have had a c-section birth may have a vaginal birth later, it is the specialist who decides the risks. In this regard, the type of incision and the reason why it was imposed previously counts.

Along with the definition of c-section, it is useful for understanding the concept and its classification.

Thus, the main criterion considered is the one that indicates the strategy to be addressed in sedation, whether local or general anesthesia is used, c-section interventions being appropriately classified in elective or emergency.

Another criterion considered in their classification takes into account the characteristics of the mother, as follows: c-section at the request of the mother (even if there is no medical recommendation), after another c-section (multiple), and c-section birth with pelvic presentation.

C-Section Procedure

What happens before a cesarean surgery?

First of all, the doctor will explain in detail the reasons why he considers this surgery as necessary and you will be asked to sign a consent form. If a doctor watched your pregnancy and intends to join you but requires a c-section delivery, you will be assigned to an obstetrician who will take the decision.

Usually, your partner can be both in the stage of preparation and during the actual birth period, but it is good to check the hospital policy in advance.

If c-section is scheduled in advance, you may be asked to clean yourself before getting to hospital/maternity with an antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection.

An anesthetist will consult you and provide you with various pain management options. There are quite rare situations in which general anesthesia is administered, except for urgent cases or if you can not benefit from local anesthesia for various reasons.

Therefore, you will most likely receive an epidural anesthesia (especially if it has already been given during labor to relieve pain) which will numb the lower part of your body (it will feel a pressure or stretching sensation at some point), but will allow you to keep conscious at birth.

A catheter is inserted into the urinary bladder to drain urine during surgery and an infusion line (for liquids and medication) is also initiated in the arm. If you are not inguinal shaved, you can shave the upper portion of the pubic hair and you will be moved to the operating room.

To prevent possible complications that may be caused by vomiting and stomach upsets during general anesthesia (may cause aspiration pneumonia), antacid medication will also be given to neutralize gastric acid. Also, intravenous antibiotic medication is also used to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.

A protection will be lifted so you can not see the surgery but if you want to see the baby, you can ask for it to be lowered. Your baby and you will be carefully monitored for heart rate, tension, and breathing. If general anesthesia is used, you will be placed with an oxygen mask on the face.

What does cesarean surgery mean?

Once the anesthesia works, the abdomen will be buffered with an antiseptic and the doctor will make a small, horizontal incision in the portion of the skin above the pubic bone (near the pubic hair line).

The surgeon will cut through the tissue under the skin, gradually progressing to the uterus.

When it reaches the abdominal muscles it will separate it (usually by hand and not through the incision) and will separate them to expose the structures below them.

When it reaches the uterus, it will probably perform a horizontal incision in its lower section (lower incision, depending on the positioning of the child may be a different incision) and the uterus and the amniotic sac will be broken.

Only in rare situations the doctor prefers a vertical or classical incision (from below the pubic bone to the pubic bone), for example when the baby is premature and the lower portion of the uterus is not thin enough to be cut. Underline the fact that such incision reduces the chances of a future vaginal birth.

Then your doctor will take your baby out and clean your nose and mouth, and check your breathing/vital signs. Once the umbilical cord is clamped/cut, you will soon be able to see the baby before getting to the care of a pediatrician or a nurse.

While the newborn is being examined, the placenta is extracted and the incision closes.

Fat and connective tissue layers will be sutured one at a time, lasting for about 30 minutes. All c-section surgery lasts for up to an hour.

C-Section Recovery

After surgery, you will be transported to a salon where you will be carefully monitored for several hours.

If your child and his condition allows, you can keep him in your arms shortly and even nurse him (the most comfortable position is the lateral position). You will receive fluid intravenously until you can eat and drink normally.

The sutures used for the uterus will dissolve in the body. The last layer can be sewn using staples or sutures that are usually removed within 3 days to a week.

The time of hospitalization varies, but on average it is 3 days. You will be monitored for signs of infection, fluid level, intestinal transit, and frequency of urination. The doctor will discuss with you about the pain relief options.

Most patients use intravenous analgesia, following analgesic medication as needed.

You will be encouraged to go to toilet as soon as you feel able to prevent constipation and blood clots.

You may experience dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness after c-section. In addition, pain at the incision site, cramps and bleeding may occur with or without clots (the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person).

The effective recovery period varies from one woman to another, depending on the body's specificity and tolerance to pain and inflammation levels. Specialists recommend in any case to abstain from intense work (such as lifting heavy objects, running, climbing stairs, or doing sports) up to 16 weeks and additionally they are recommending a period of about 18 months to try to conceive another child.