C-sections explained

About half of women who have a Caesarean section know that they will be having one in advance.

We explain why you might need a planned or ‘elective’ Caesarean and what happens.

Reasons for elective Caesarean include:

  • The baby is thought to be too big to go through the pelvis.
  • Placenta praevia. 
  • Severe pre-eclampsia.
  • Baby in an awkward position (such as breech or lying crosswise) and attempts to turn the baby have failed. 
  • Mother’s request (doctors can refuse this if there is no clinical complication). 
  • If the mother is HIV positive. 
  • Any other complication that may affect the mother’s or baby’s health.

Check your local hospital for its policy.  If you are booked in for an elective caesarean, you’ll know your baby’s birthday in advance. Usually you go into hospital the day of the operation.

What happens

On the day, you will have a drip put into your arm. A catheter (drainage tube) will be used to empty your bladder and the top centimetre of your pubic hair is shaved off. Monitors will be placed on your chest to record your heartbeat and you are likely to be given a spinal or epidural anaesthetic. Very few planned caesareans are now carried out under a general anaesthetic.

The birth of your baby is quite quick. A screen is put up so that you cannot see the actual operation taking place, but the baby is lifted up for you to see as soon as he or she is born. You may feel some tugging and pulling and hear odd sounds from the machinery used to suck out the fluid and seal the cut. Once the baby is born, the wound is stitched up – and this process can take a lot longer than the birth. The wound is closed with clips or a running stitch just below skin level.

Spinal and epidural – what’s the difference?

Both these are injections into your back, and both have a numbing effect. An epidural can be ‘topped up’ and last for many hours, but it does take 20 minutes or so to set up. When speed is needed – for instance, for an emergency caesarean section – a spinal can be used instead. This is a single injection that gives pain relief for about 30-60 minutes, depending on the dose.

Once a Caesarean...?

It used to be said that ‘once a caesarean always a caesarean’ but this is no longer so. VBAC stands for ‘vaginal birth after caesarean’. Many women who have a caesarean with one baby go on to have a vaginal birth the next time. It often depends on the reason for the caesarean last time. If your last baby was breech but this one is head down, then you would probably have a vaginal birth without a problem. You can have an epidural for pain relief and your labour will be carefully monitored. If you had a section last time, talk over the options with your midwife or doctor.

Breastfeeding after a Caesarean

If you have had a caesarean, you might need help with holding your baby for the first few feeds. Use a pillow on your tummy to cushion your wound and spread the weight of the baby. Try different feeding positions, such as tucking the baby under your arm in a ‘rugby ball’ position.

Life after a Caesarean
C-section recovery tips

 

 

Comments

Submitted by kaacake on Thu, 24/11/2011 - 12:33.
Hi I am 31 weeks pregnant, was told I might have to have elective c section because I have a pacemaker, but my dr says I may do ok with natural. Had natural on second child but am scared of dying during childbirth even though am also scared of c sections! I am confused now!
Submitted by kellyedward on Tue, 08/11/2011 - 18:43.
hello to all, i am 31 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child which is a little girl, i have 2 boys oldest is riley who is 3 and euan-thomas the youngest who is 1, They were both delivered by c-section as i had a low lying placenta with both of them ! And this pregnancy i also have a low placenta so another c-section for me ! got to have a scan at 34 weeks to see if the placenta has attached to my old scar ! hopefully not ! im due on 13th january Bye x x x
Submitted by adnilleo on Fri, 28/10/2011 - 20:36.
Hi all,my daughter is 7 months old and i had energancy C-section,she was 14 days over due,was vomiting from any painkillers they gave me and after 24 hours and luck of dilating i was offered C-section.Now i am 7 weeks pregnant and really worried about another horrible experience.I am praying for C-section this time around again.Does anyone know if i can request it due to my horrific experience or they will try to persuede me to have vaginal birth? Many thanx.x
Submitted by MARYAM811 on Wed, 07/09/2011 - 11:33.
Hi im 31 wks pregnant & am having a planned c section. I have had 2 emergency caesareans before & a ventouse delivery! This was a totally unexpected pregnancy but very wanted. I am absolutely dreading childbirth & the recovery! :( any advice?
Submitted by 1fletch on Sun, 04/09/2011 - 13:15.
Hi Julia & shibbyA thanks for your posts on c section and complex spines! I also have scoliosis which was operated on 32 years ago at the age of 10! I was told then by my orthopeadic surgeon that birth by c section would be my only real option as my spine would not take the pressure - I had a 98 degree curve before surgery which was reduced to 50 something. I have a harrington rod through most of my spine but have space for a spinal block in my lumbar spine - an epidural will not work according to the aneastetist. Despite all this , my obstetric consultant had already made her mind up before she even saw me that she would NOT do a c section , I have been doing battle ever since my 20 week scan and will find out 8/11/11 if shes changed her mind and will perform my requested section. I have not gone in demanding c section but requested one on medical grounds and previous advice. This is my first baby and however excited we are about his arrival , its been horribly overshadowed by a non compliant dictatorial obstetrician and one of her midwives. If you feel you have a strong reason for c section dont let them make you feel you're a bad person, know your own body and its capabilities and stick with your decision!!
Submitted by juliakoval on Wed, 03/08/2011 - 11:22.
Hello ShibbyA, I also had a major surgery on my back nearly 6 years ago. I am 31 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby. With my first I had c-section because I was very scared that giving birth naturally will damage my back. I also thought that i will not be able to have spinal anaesthetic and will have to have general instead. I went to see surgeon that operated on my back to ask if i can have spinal block and where can it be injected into my spine. With all this i went to see anaesthesias. My first c-section went well and i had spinal block but because of my spine they had to inject me twice to make sure that anaesthetic will do its job properly. I was lain down on operating table with my head down, the can tip operating table so anaesthetic can slowly get through my entire spine to block my body from feeling pain. I have scoliosis which before surgery was 98 degrees curve and now it is about 40 degrees so ofcorse the anaesthetic did not block pain completely bemuse my spine is not strait and medison could not go through all the way, but believe me even though i felt a bit of pain when they pooled my baby out it was only for a few seconds and it was bearable. I will have elective section again, even though consultant tried to sagest to have VBAC, but it is your body and i know that my body and my back is not strong for me to try have baby naturally in the end of the day healthy baby is most important than anything for mother and you can have healthy baby both ways C-section or VBAC and to me it doesn’t make you bad mother if you don’t do it like everyone ells. Good luck to you and you baby i hope that my message will help you in any way.
Submitted by cassiebarrwood on Sun, 17/07/2011 - 19:20.
Hi am super nervous its my 3rd pregnancy and will be my 3rd c-section. am only 8 weeks pregnant and look at least 4 months gone already feel rediculous. Really dont want to be heavy during this pregnancy as having had 2 sections and 2 3 day labours i am looking forward to the idea of an elective section and want to make recovery as quick as poss.
Submitted by ShibbyA on Fri, 15/07/2011 - 11:13.
Hello, Just been reading over a lot of the posts and it sounds like a lot of you have had a dfficult time!!I'm 31 weeks pregnant, have had major spinal surgery (6 years ago) so I can't have any spinal injections. This means if I have a c-section it will have to be under general anesthetic. At the moment baby is breech so may have to have a planned c-section. This is my first baby, and because of my back I do worry that i'll have problems in labour (I don't want to dmamge my back). Even if the baby turns I'm in two minds as to whether I should ask for an elective c-section. Does anyone have any advice? I know it will be hard to not be "present" at the birth as I would be completetly knocked out, but at least if it's planned I can prepare for that. Whereas if I try naturally but it doen't go to plan I'll be knocked out anyway!Part of me hopes this baby won't turn so then I have no choice!!
Submitted by begorohemaa on Wed, 15/06/2011 - 01:01.
Ive had two previous c sections. My eldest was in 2003 with my son, failure to progress after 26/7 hours in labour and he he was back to back. My second, I opted for a VBAC and was fully supported in my decision. I was 9.5cm dilated after 13 hours of labour and suddenly my previous scar which was nearly 6 years old raptured! Am 33 weeks with our suprise 3rd but I will be a complete idiot to try another VBAC i think. I am grateful to be alive and hope all goes well with the csec. I dread the epidural (I still get spasms from it) but will try the spinal block this time round. Its been a real expereince - motherhood. Am looking forward to time of and for a smooth and safe delivery. Its always a difficult decision to make, this c section. Its interesting that after all these years we still have the stigma somewhat attached to it. Having a baby by c section does not make one less of a mother... you have physical wounds to show for it!!! Do what is best for you and your family is all I can say.
Submitted by RedRach1976 on Tue, 26/04/2011 - 14:17.
I have so far had two emergency Sections and like you I hated the experience I had first time around. I tried a VBAC second time but it wasn't to be. However, the experience was different, and though I was really disappointed not to have had a successful VBAC, i did have a beautiful and healthy baby to show for it. Now heading for my 3rd section (sadly here, although a friend has had a VBAC third time around after 2 sections previously, i know that it isn't for me as my pelvis is too small!). Know that what ever and how ever i feel about having a Section, i'll have a lovely babe to show for it.
 

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