For a planned C-section, you may have a choice of anesthetic, although you should be aware that a spinal block or epidural are generally considered the safest options for both you and your baby. In an emergency or when bleeding occurs, general anesthesia may be necessary.
How long does a C-section surgery take? The typical C-section takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. After your provider delivers your baby, they'll stitch your uterus and close the incision in your abdomen. Different types of emergencies can arise during a delivery.
Your midwife will ask you to remove any make-up, nail polish, piercings or contact lenses before your c-section. You will also need to take off any jewellery. You can usually wear one plain ring, such as a wedding ring, which will be taped in place.
Do not shave your abdomen, pubic area, or upper thighs for at least 1 week before your c-section. Take off all jewelry.
Women who have general anesthesia will not be awake during the cesarean birth. Regional anesthesia is generally preferred because it allows the mother to remain awake during the procedure, enjoy support from staff and her partner, experience the birth, and have immediate contact with the baby.
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
Using plastic adhesive drapes to protect the wound from organisms that may be present on the surrounding skin during surgery is one strategy used to prevent surgical site infection.
Prepare your skin
You need to stop shaving or waxing your pubic area or bikini line at least 1 week before your caesarean birth. This reduces the chance of infection.
You will usually stay in hospital for 2-4 days after your c-section. If you and your baby are well, and you have someone to help you at home, you may be able to go home after 24 hours. You may not feel ready to go home, especially if this is your first baby or if you or your baby have needed extra help.
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.
Overall, the differences between a scheduled C-section and an emergency C-section are slight and only in terms of patient recovery and neonatal complications. With respect to the patient, she might feel overwhelmed and too rushed during an emergency caesarean section.
The amount of time you will remain in recovery varies, depending on the type of anesthesia (general or regional) that you had. It's typically about a two- to four-hour period. If you had an epidural or spinal anesthesia, you'll stay in recovery until you can wiggle your legs.
Activity. Getting up and walking around once you are home will help you heal faster and can help prevent blood clots. You should be able to do most of your regular activities in 4 to 8 weeks.
Please be patient if you require assistance. We ask you not to touch drips, needles, catheters, wounds dressings, monitors etc. Due to Health & Safety considerations only one adult family member or partner may stay overnight.
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.
What should I wear to a planned C-section? Wear something comfortable to the hospital. You will need to be in a hospital gown for the surgery, but you may have some time sitting around and waiting before your C-section. Loungewear and yoga pants are both excellent options.
Once the anaesthetic is working properly, the doctor will make cuts in your tummy and your uterus. Both cuts will be about 10 cm long. Your baby will be lifted out through the cuts. You might feel a tugging or pulling sensation, but there won't be any pain.
Shower #1: Night Before Surgery
Use your regular soap (such as Dial). Clean your body well. Do not shave any area of your body that is near the surgical site. Dry off with a clean towel.
Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia
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. You may also have a catheter placed.
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.
After the incision, the C-section is performed to deliver your baby. After C-section, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to the belly button, then lifts a large skin flap, revealing the vertical muscles in the abdomen. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed.
Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching. Four of the five remaining layers are stitched with a single layer of stitching, but one layer is not restitched as it heals better – with no buckling and reduced chance of scar tissue developing, without restitiching.
After a C-section, she recommends women take eight weeks off and to avoid heavy activity to prevent complications. “A lot of women still have significant pain at two weeks after,” she said.