A caesarean section (c-section or 'caesarean') is a surgical procedure in which a baby is born through an incision (cut) made in the mother's abdominal wall and the wall of the uterus (womb).
The uterus consists of the serosal outer layer (perimetrium), the muscle layer (myometrium), and the inside mucosal layer (endometrium). All three of these layers are incised to make the uterine incision or hysterotomy.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
Cesarean section, C-section, or Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Health care providers use it when they believe it is safer for the mother, the baby, or both. The incision made in the skin may be: Up-and-down (vertical).
As with other surgical procedures, it is virtually impossible to perform a C-section without cutting into some nerves—especially those within the skin (Why do you think surgery hurts?).
The 2 types of cuts that can be used when you have a caesarean section are: A lower segment incision – will be used wherever possible. This is a horizontal (across) cut through the abdomen (stomach) and a horizontal cut through the lower part of the uterus, sometimes known as a 'bikini line' incision.
“They'll massage your uterus to help it contract down,” Bohn says. “And your nurse will press on your belly and massage it every 15 minutes for the first two hours after delivery.
People should avoid returning to their normal exercise levels for 6 to 8 weeks. Driving is usually not safe for 4 to 6 weeks also. The wound may feel sore for a week or two. The muscle surrounding the wound may also feel weak.
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. There will be a drape placed at your abdomen to keep you from seeing directly into the incision.
A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. After the abdominal incision, the health care provider will make an incision in the uterus. Low transverse incisions are the most common (top left). A C-section can be done in various ways.
A C section pouch refers to the excess skin and fat that accumulates around the abdomen after a C-section procedure. This is also referred to as a pannus stomach, mummy tummy or apron belly – and can be a huge source of emotional distress for many women.
Ultimately, a natural birth may be more painful than a cesarean section. However, the pain after your cesarean section combined with the heightened risks to you and your baby may outweigh the initial pain of childbirth. Make sure you consult with your doctors to get the best possible advice for you.
Pain intensity, wish for more analgesics and most interference outcomes were significantly worse after CS compared with hysterectomies.
Sometimes all your C-section pooch needs is time and regular massage of the scar. After 6-12 months, if that C-section shelf is still there, chances are high that it will always be there unless we treat it. Here are non-surgical ways to try to minimize and possibly get rid of the C-section pooch: Losing weight.
For some women, this scar tissue can't be removed with exercise or diet changes alone (which may mean surgery is the only way to completely eliminate a postpartum pouch). For others, following an exercise program and focusing on core exercises can be enough to flatten the appearance of this pouch.
Causes of Belly Overhang after C-section
As a result, the abdominal muscles lose their ability to support the abdominal wall, leading to sagging skin and a protruding belly. Weight gain during pregnancy can also contribute to belly overhang after c-section.
Discomfort while urinating can be par for the course as your body recovers from giving birth — whether you delivered vaginally or via C-section. But intense pain that doesn't ease up could be a sign of a postpartum urinary tract infection (UTI). Postpartum UTIs aren't uncommon.
A C-section adds a few common obstacles to successful breastfeeding. It's easy to become overwhelmed by the pain and the physical and emotional exhaustion. Take your time, accept help, manage your pain, get enough rest, and stick with it. Breastfeeding will get easier as you heal.
After a caesarean, you are not advised to sleep on your front. Your incision is across your abdomen, so putting pressure on it will be painful and risk interfering with healing. Usually, doctors recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach for six weeks post-C-section or until you no longer have any pain.
After making an incision in the abdomen and the uterus, your doctor will remove the baby and give it to you to hold. She will also remove the afterbirth. Your doctor will close your uterus with stitches, which will dissolve on their own, and close your skin with staples or stitches.
There has been some research into how c-sections affect the long-term health of children. There is limited evidence that children born by c-section may have a higher risk of childhood asthma up to the age of 5 and obesity up to the age of 12. The reason for this increased risk is not clear.
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.