What Happens During A C-section
If you are due to give birth by C-section then you are probably wondering what’s going to happen and in what order. This article walks you through a C-section and discusses what you can expect on the day and after your operation.
(A) Before your C-section
About a week before you have the operation, you’ll go into hospital to talk to the medical team. This is your chance to ask any questions and raise any concerns you have. You’ll also have a blood test to see if you’re anaemic and be given some medicine that you need to take on the evening before the operation.
Before you leave, you’ll be asked to sign a form that gives your consent for the operation. (See 1.)
1. NHS What happens - Caesarean section
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/what-happens/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20stop,day%20of%20the%20caesarean%20section. Accessed on 27/03/23
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(B) On the day of your C-section
Before you go in for your C-section, you’ll be asked to stop eating and drinking - as your stomach must be empty for the operation. Your midwife will tell you exactly when to stop.
When you get into hospital you’ll change into a surgical gown and go into the operating theatre. A catheter, which is a flexible, thin tube, will be inserted into your bladder to keep it empty during the operation.
You’ll also be given an anaesthetic – usually into your spine, or via an epidural – that will numb the lower half of your body. So, you’ll still be awake and will feel no pain, but may notice some tugging and pulling during the C-section.
However, in certain circumstances – for instance if you can’t have spinal/epidural anaesthetic, or if your baby needs to be delivered quickly - a general anaesthetic may be given, so you’d be asleep during the operation.
A thin tube called a canula will be put into your arm to give you fluids as the C-section takes place. The whole operation should last between 40 and 50 minutes and there will be many people operating and helping, including doctors, midwives, and the anaesthetist. In most cases, your birthing partner can also be with you.
The doctor will make a cut – usually horizontally, just above your bikini line – through your belly and into your womb to deliver your baby.
As soon as your baby is delivered, he or she will be shown to you and then brought to you, after being checked and dried by the midwife.
Further information on - (B) On the day of your C-section:
2. University of Iowa Hospitals - Pre-operative instructions for women having a planned cesarean (C-section)
https://uihc.org/educational-resources/pre-operative-instructions-women-having-planned-cesarean-c-section#:~:text=Your%20stomach%20must%20be%20empty,or%20cannot%20follow%20these%20instructions. Accessed on 27/03/23
3. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
4. NHS What happens - Caesarean section
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/what-happens/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20stop,day%20of%20the%20caesarean%20section. Accessed on 27/03/23
5. Tommy’s - What happens during a c-section?
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/caesarean-section/what-happens-during-c-section Accessed on 27/3/23
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(C) After the C-section operation
Following the operation, you’ll be taken to a recovery room, with your baby, to recover after the C-section. You’ll be given painkillers and treatment to reduce the risk of blood clots, such as injections or special stockings to wear.
You’ll also be able to have something to eat and drink and can start breastfeeding your baby if you want to.
The catheter will stay in for at least 12 hours, so you don’t have to get up to pee. You’ll also have a dressing on your operation wound for at least 24 hours.
Your stay in hospital will last about four days, although you may be able to go home sooner if you and your baby are both well.
Further information on (C) After the C-section operation:
6. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
7. NHS What happens - Caesarean section