C Section: When do I need it and how does it happen?
If you’re a pregnant mom you probably have hundreds of questions in your mind pertaining to natural birth and C section and are wondering about the circumstances under which a doctor opts for a C section procedure. A baby may need to be delivered surgically for a variety of reasons. We can broadly categorise them as planned C section and emergency C section.
A planned C section is something you would know in advance. It could be due to a maternal or baby health condition or it could be a concern related to the pregnancy, for eg: the placenta is covering the mouth of the uterus or the baby is not in a favorable position for birth. In this situation the doctor will speak to you in advance and ask you to pick a date which is a few days ahead of your actual due date. The reason this is done is to ensure that you do not go into labor which could then become an emergency situation.
At times a mom may go into labor and then certain conditions may need to opt for a surgical birth. Some moms may just not go into labor and be over due, in this case if induction does not work then a C section is the only option. In few cases, a mom may go into labor but the cervix may not open and it is not possible to physically cut the cervix, hence the baby would have to be delivered by a C section. In other cases the mom may go into labor, the cervix would also open but the baby does not move down and that would result in a C section too. Also during the labor process if the baby shows signs of distress or the mom develops a temperature due to an infection or if her blood pressure shoots up, the doctor would go in for a C section procedure. If the condition is not an emergency the doctor will opt for a spinal block which means the mom can be awake and greet her baby at birth. If it is an emergency then the doctor will opt for general anesthesia and deliver the baby asap.
If it is a planned C section then you will be asked to come to the hospital a night prior. The antibiotics are started and you are asked to stay empty stomach for 12 hours. During the surgery itself there will be a drape placed in front of you so that you do not see the actual surgery.Your husband can be present but he will be near your head and he will also not need to see the surgery.
You will feel some tugs and pulls and some vacuum sounds which is normal.
Once the surgery begins the baby is delivered within the first six minutes. Post the birth, the placenta is delivered thru the same incision and the uterus is cleaned out before being sutured. Over all the process can take about 30-45 minutes.
You will also have an IV attached for nutrition and medication as well as a catheter for urination. These will stay in place for 24 hours.
Post the surgery you will be in a recovery room under observation for a couple of hours before you are moved to your room along with the baby. It is a good idea to attempt breast feeding in the recovery room itself.