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C-Section (Cesarean
PARENTHOOD

Section)
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson,
Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By
Brian Krans on July 17, 2018

Reasons Risks Preparation Procedure

Follow-up

A cesarian section is a surgical

alternative to vaginal birth. It may be
beneficial for preventing
complications when vaginal birth
comes with high risks to the birthing
parent or fetus.
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What is a cesarean delivery?

A cesarean delivery — also known as a C-section
or cesarean section — is the surgical delivery of
a baby. It involves one incision in the mother’s
abdomen and another in the uterus.

It’s a common procedure that’s used to deliver

nearly one-third of babies in the United States,
according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.

Cesarean deliveries are generally avoided

before 39 weeks of pregnancy so the child has
proper time to develop in the womb. Sometimes,
however, complications arise and a cesarean
delivery must be performed prior to 39 weeks.

Why a cesarean delivery is done

A cesarean delivery is typically performed when
complications from pregnancy make traditional
vaginal birth difficult, or put the mother or child
at risk.

Sometimes cesarean deliveries are planned

early in the pregnancy, but they’re most often
performed when complications arise during
labor.

Reasons for a cesarean delivery include:

baby has developmental conditions

baby’s head is too big for the birth canal

the baby is coming out feet first (breech

birth)

early pregnancy complications

mother’s health problems, such as high

blood pressure or unstable heart disease

mother has active genital herpes that could

be transmitted to the baby

previous cesarean delivery

problems with the placenta, such as

placental abruption or placenta previa

problems with the umbilical cord

reduced oxygen supply to the baby

stalled labor

the baby is coming out shoulder first

(transverse labor)
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The risks of a cesarean delivery

A cesarean delivery is becoming a more
common delivery type worldwide, but it’s still a
major surgery that carries risks for both mother
and child. Vaginal birth remains the preferred
method for the lowest risk of complications. The
risks of a cesarean delivery include:

bleeding

blood clots

breathing problems for the child, especially

if done before 39 weeks of pregnancy

increased risks for future pregnancies

infection

injury to the child during surgery

longer recovery time compared with

vaginal birth

surgical injury to other organs

adhesions, hernia, and other complications

of abdominal surgery

You and your doctor will discuss your birthing

options before your due date. Your doctor will
also be able to determine if you or your baby are
showing any signs of complications that would
require a cesarean delivery.

How to prepare for a cesarean

delivery
If you and your doctor decide that a cesarean
delivery is the best option for delivery, your
doctor will give you complete instructions about
what you can do to lower your risk of
complications and have a successful cesarean
delivery.

As with any pregnancy, prenatal appointments

will involve many checkups. This will include
blood tests and other examinations to determine
your health for the possibility of a cesarean
delivery.

Your doctor will make sure to record your blood

type in case you need a blood transfusion
during the surgery. Blood transfusions are rarely
needed during a cesarean delivery, but your
doctor will be prepared for any complications.

Even if you aren’t planning to have a cesarean

delivery, you should always prepare for the
unexpected. At prenatal appointments with your
doctor, discuss your risk factors for a cesarean
delivery and what you can do to lower them.

Make sure all of your questions are answered,

and that you understand what could happen if
you need to have an emergency cesarean
delivery before your due date.

Because a cesarean delivery takes additional

time to recover from than normal birth,
arranging to have an extra set of hands around
the house will be helpful. Not only will you be
recovering from surgery, but your new baby will
need some attention as well.

How a cesarean delivery is

performed
Plan to stay in the hospital for three to four days
while you recover from your surgery.

Before the surgery, your abdomen will be

cleaned and you’ll be prepared for receiving
intravenous (IV) fluids into your arm. This allows
doctors to administer fluids and any type of
medications you may need. You will also have a
catheter put in to keep your bladder empty
during the surgery.

There are three types of anesthesia offered to

delivering mothers:

spinal block: anesthesia that’s injected

directly into the sac that surrounds your
spinal cord, thus numbing the lower part of
your body

epidural: a common anesthesia for both

vaginal and cesarean deliveries, which is
injected into your lower back outside the
sac of the spinal cord

general anesthesia: anesthesia that puts

you into a painless sleep, and is usually
reserved for emergency situations

When you have been properly medicated and

numbed, your doctor will make an incision just
above the pubic hairline. This is typically
horizontal across the pelvis. In emergency
situations, the incision may be vertical.

Once the incision into your abdomen has been

made and the uterus is exposed, your doctor will
make an incision into the uterus. This area will
be covered during the procedure so you won’t
be able to see the procedure.

Your new baby will be removed from your

uterus after the second incision is made.

Your doctor will first tend to your baby by

clearing their nose and mouth of fluids and
clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. Your
baby will then be given to hospital staff and they
will make sure your baby is breathing normally
and prepare your baby to be put into your arms.

If you’re sure you do not want any more

children, and have signed the consent, the
doctor can tie your tubes (a tubal ligation) at the
same time.

Your doctor will repair your uterus with

dissolving stitches and close your abdominal
incision with sutures.

Following up after a cesarean

delivery
After your cesarean delivery, you and your
newborn will stay in the hospital for about three
days. Immediately after surgery, you will remain
on an IV. This allows for adjusted levels of
painkillers to be delivered into your bloodstream
while the anesthesia wears off.

Your doctor will encourage you to get up and

walk around. This can help prevent blood clots
and constipation. A nurse or doctor can teach
you how to position your child for breastfeeding
so there’s no additional pain from the cesarean
delivery incision area.

Your doctor will give you recommendations for

home care after the surgery, but you should
generally expect to:

take it easy and rest, especially for the first

few weeks

use correct posture to support your

abdomen

drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost

during your cesarean delivery

avoid sex for four to six weeks

take pain medications as needed

seek help if you experience symptoms of

postpartum depression, such as severe
mood swings or overwhelming fatigue

Call your doctor if you experience the following

symptoms:

breast pain accompanied with a fever

foul-smelling vaginal discharge or bleeding

with large clots

pain when urinating

signs of infection — for example, fever over

100 °F, redness, swelling, or discharge from
the incision

Last medically reviewed on July 17, 2018

Parenthood Postpartum Care Post Delivery

How we reviewed this article:

SOURCES HISTORY

Our experts continually monitor the health and

wellness space, and we update our articles
when new information becomes available.
Current Version

Jul 17, 2018

Written By
Brian Krans

Edited By
Maggie Brown

Medically Reviewed By
Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC,
CHT

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