What is a Cesarean Section

Detaches before labor begins (placental abruption)
It may cover the cervical opening (placenta previa)

 Your health problems can also be cause to opt for a caesarean such as: diabetes, heart or lung problems, high blood pressure, genital herpes and more.

Some possible complications are:

Abnormally rapid breathing for a few days, this is called transient Lachypnea.
There could be fetal  injury when the baby could be accidentally nicked during the surgery.
You could suffer inflammation and infection the uterine membrane characterized by fever, chills, back pain, a foul discharge and pain, which can be treated with antibiotic therapy.
Possible increased bleeding, you could lose 2x the amount of blood than you would with a vaginal delivery.
Urinary tract infection, decreased bowel function
Reaction to anesthesia.
Blood clots in legs and pelvic organs which can be life threatening.
Infected surgical site

You may wonder just how a c-section is performed.  There are websites where you can actually watch a cesarean section.  We will give a brief description of the procedure.

Once the anesthesia takes effect your belly will be swabbed with an antiseptic and a horizontal incision is made.  If there are no contra-indications the doctor will make a small cut above the pubic bone (known as a bikini cut).  Then the doctor cuts through tissue, slowly working down to the uterus.  When the abdominal muscles are reached they are separated and then the doctor makes a small horizontal cut in the lower portion of the uterus.  He gently delivers your baby, shows him to you and then gives him over to a pediatrician to be checked out.

The surgeon then removes the placenta and closes you up with either stitches or staples.  The staples are generally removed somewhere between three and seven days after your c-section.  Stitches are in for up to fourteen days.  Closing up your surgical wound properly usually takes longer than the c-section itself.

You will spend a few hours in the recovery room while your vital signs and surgical site are closely monitored, and to let you wake up from the sedation.  If your baby is ok he can stay with you in recovery where you will both be monitored.

How long do you have to stay in the hospital?  That is up to your recovery rate and your doctor.  Expect to spend about three or four days in the hospital. Your health insurance may want to limit the amount of time you spend in the hospital.

In most cases the staples can be removed anywhere from three days to a week post-op.  This again depends on how fast you heal.  Your health care provider will make arrangements for you to come in.  It isn’t painful in most cases but some folks are just more pain sensitive.

You will be given instructions about when you can resume certain activities such as a tub bath, driving, exercising, lifting heavy object and returning to work.  You will also be taught wound care for your surgical site.

Are there risks for you and or your baby when you have a c-section?  Of course there are as there is with any other surgical procedure.

Risks to you:
More long lasting and severe pain while you heal
Increase in bowel and bladder problems
Headaches and backaches
Infected uterus or wound
Risk for emergency hysterectomy is increased

There are also risks for the baby:
Minor skin cuts that occur during the surgery
Decrease in breast feeding
Increased risk of asthma
More serious, an increased risk for dying right after birth
Emotional distance by mother

There are also risks to future pregnancies:
Increased risk of infertility
Increased occurrence of ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa and or ruptured uterus
Possible need for future c-sections, although the old maxim, once a c-section always a c-section, just isn’t true

Elective c-sections are performed for a couple of reasons.  One is if the mother has high blood pressure or severe heart or lung problems.  It may be safer to go in and surgically deliver the baby before the stress of labor can tax your heart, lungs or blood pressure all of which could present danger to your child.

For awhile, there was a trend to have elective c-sections so that the baby could be born before Christmas, or on your mother’s birthday or in time to go on a cruise or whatever.  It isn’t done for the baby’s sake or the mother’s health., but for selfish desires of the parents.  However, most surgeons are reluctant to perform the surgery for frivolous reasons and insurance companies are refusing to cover this kind of surgery.

C-sections can save the lives of both mothers and babies when done for medical reasons by dedicated medical professionals.