Different Types Of C-Section
A caesarean section (or C-section) is a type of birth that delivers your baby through a cut made in your stomach and womb, rather than by a vaginal delivery.
It’s very common, with around 25% of women in the UK giving birth through C-section. Sometimes C-sections are planned in advance by your medical team, which is known as an elective section.
There may be many reasons why doctors would recommend a C-section, including the position of your baby, problems with your placenta, maternal high blood pressure, and certain infections such as genital herpes. Whatever it is, the reasons and details of the procedure will all be discussed with you.
1. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
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(A) Types of caesarean sections
You can also ask for a caesarean section for non-medical reasons, which will involve a discussion with your medical team about all the details and risks of the operation, so you can make an informed choice. If you still want to go ahead, you should be offered a planned C-section. (See 2.)
It may also be the case that you go into hospital for a vaginal birth but then your doctor decides during the delivery that you need a c-section. This is called an emergency c-section, but it just means that circumstances have made vaginal delivery unsafe. This could be because your baby’s head is too big, it’s in the wrong position, your baby is distressed, your labour isn’t progressing properly, or you have become severely ill during delivery.(See 3.)
When you have a C-section, a screen will be placed over the lower half of your body, so you can’t see what’s happening. But the doctors will talk you through the operation. You will have been given local anaesthetic, so won’t be in any pain - but you may still feel some pulling and tugging.
In certain circumstances – such as if your baby needs to be delivered very quickly – you’ll be given a general anaesthetic and will be asleep during the operation. A C-section normally takes between 40 and 50 minutes and you’ll be able to hold your baby as soon as they have been delivered, unless there is a need for immediate medical attention. (See 4.)
When you have a C-section there are two methods that may be used:
1. Lower segment caesarean section (LSCS)
This the most common type of C-section.
It’s favoured by doctors as it leads to the least scarring and fewest complications. With this method, the surgeon will make a horizontal cut of between 10cm to 20cm long across your lower belly – just above your pubic hair line - and into your womb to deliver your baby. (See 5.)
2. Midline abdominal incision
On rare occasions, the cut may be a vertical incision – also known as a classical incision.
This is only used in emergencies and with complicated situations, such as babies with abnormalities, or some cases of placenta praevia, which is where your placenta is lying low in your womb and is blocking your baby’s passage. (See 6. + 7.)
Further information on (A) Types of cesarian sections:
2. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
3. NHS Inform - Caesarean section https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/labour-and-birth/assisted-birth/caesarean-section-c-section Accessed on 25/03/23
4. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
5. NHS - Caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/ Accessed on 25/03/23
6. American Pregnancy Association - Cesarean Procedure
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/cesarean-procedure/#:~:text=Another%20type%20of%20incision%20that,of%20incision%20to%20be%20made. Accessed on 27/03/23
7. NCT - Placenta Praevia https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/placenta-praevia-low-lying-placenta Accessed on 27/03/23