Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia In some cases of emergency, general anesthesia is used, which means you will be asleep. Sometimes, your arms will be strapped down in a T-position away from your sides. This is done to prevent you from accidentally interfering with the surgery.
Next, something that completely surprised me: Some hospitals may strap your arms to the operating table (others leave them free)—done to prevent you from inadvertently knocking a member of the medical team while they are wielding a scalpel.
Traditionally during cesarean, the pregnant person's hands are layed out in a T shape and secured to arm rests that extend out from the bed. The idea being to prevent her from reaching down and touching near the surgical site. It is reasonable, however, to request that your hands be left free during surgery.
That way, they are awake to see and hear their baby being born. A curtain will be over your abdomen during the surgery, but you may be able to take a peek as your baby is being delivered from your belly. Sometimes, a woman who needs an emergency C-section might require general anesthesia.
Leaving the Mother's Arms Free: During a traditional C-section, your arms may be secured to the operating table. With a gentle C-section, your arms are free to move.
What is the Golden Hour? After the birth of the baby, both vaginal and c-section birth, the Golden hour consists of uninterrupted and immediate skin to skin contact, limited interventions that are not necessary, if possible and desired having delayed cord clamping, and having the first feeding of baby completed.
There's a lot of pressure on your abdomen as the c-section procedure starts and as your doctor pushes on your belly to help deliver the baby.
“The drape protects the mother, preventing the wound from becoming infected,” he said. “It also increases the bonding time between the mother and the baby. This is a birth that is gentler and more mother-baby friendly than not having a clear drape.”
If you feel more comfortable in something other than a hospital gown, you can certainly bring your own clothes. I recommend something comfortable, soft and stretchy. I preferred gowns myself for recovering since they are loose and comfy. If you are planning on breastfeeding, then a nursing gown would be a great choice.
During a c-section
You can usually stay with your partner during a planned or emergency c-section unless they need a general anaesthetic. The midwife or operating assistant will give you a top, trousers and hat to wear in the operating theatre.
Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia
In some cases of emergency, general anesthesia is used, which means you will be asleep. Sometimes, your arms will be strapped down in a T-position away from your sides. This is done to prevent you from accidentally interfering with the surgery.
Shivering involves involuntary rapid skeletal muscle contractions and body tremors and is a common problem during surgical operations [1, 2]. It occurs more frequently during cesarean sections, with a reported incidence between 10 and 85% [3,4,5,6,7,8], probably due to altered physiology during pregnancy.
Preparation. You'll need to stop eating and drinking a few hours before the operation. Your doctor or midwife will tell you when. You'll be asked to change into a hospital gown when you arrive at the hospital on the day of the caesarean section.
Women who have C-sections are less likely to suffer from urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse compared with women who deliver vaginally. A surgical birth can be scheduled in advance, making it more convenient and predictable than a vaginal birth and labor.
In a typical C-section, a drape is set up to provide a sterile operating field, meaning you can't see your baby being born. In a “gentle C-section,” we offer the option of using a clear drape or a drape that has a clear window, allowing you to get that first glance of your baby.
If you are awake, you can usually see and hold your baby straight after your C-section birth. You can begin skin-to-skin contact and possibly breastfeeding. Skin to skin contact is important for you and your baby after birth to enhance bonding and establish breastfeeding.
Shower and bath: The incision is water-tight within 24 hours after surgery. The bandage should be removed one day after surgery, and the incision should remain uncovered. Your first shower can be 24 hours after surgery.
It's no longer standard procedure to shave pubic hair, because it could permit unwanted bacteria into the body. (Nor should you shave or wax your own bikini area or abdomen right before a scheduled C-section, also due to the infection risk.)
Your stomach must be empty for surgery. We do not want food from your stomach to get into your lungs during surgery. Your surgery will be delayed if you do not or cannot follow these instructions.
Even though labor and vaginal birth can be hard work, they are generally easier on a woman's body than a cesarean. Recovery after vaginal birth is usually shorter and less painful than after a C-section, and allows the woman to spend more time with her baby.
How long does an average C-section take? Usually, a cesarean takes about 30-45 minutes.
The Gentle Cesarean
The goal of the family-centered cesarean, or “gentle cesarean,” is to make the delivery as natural as possible. For example, by using both solid and clear drapes, obstetricians could switch the solid drape for the clear one just before delivery and allow a mother to see her baby being born.
Realistically, the obstetrician will cut through the skin and layers of connective tissue in your abdominal area. Then, they will move aside the organs surrounding the uterus, like the bladder and intestines.
Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.
At first you may be asked to only eat ice chips or take sips of water, at least until your provider is certain you are not likely to have very heavy bleeding. Most likely, you will be able to eat a light diet 8 hours after your C-section.