You need to have a blood test 2 days or 1 day before your planned caesarean. This is to check your iron levels and blood type.
A health care provider might also recommend certain blood tests before a C-section. These tests provide information about blood type and the level of the main component of red blood cells (hemoglobin). The test results can be helpful in case you need a blood transfusion during the C-section.
You might need to plan a C-section if you're pregnant with two or more babies or if you have a medical condition or infection. If you run into an emergency during labor, you may also need a C-section. Here are a few examples of when this might be the safer option: Your labor isn't progressing as it should.
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 help you find a comfortable position for putting your baby to your breast. You will stay in the recovery room for 30–60 minutes. If you and your baby are well, you will then move to the postnatal ward.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
The average stay in hospital after a caesarean is around 4 days. You may be able to go home sooner than this if both you and your baby are well. While in hospital: you'll be given painkillers to reduce any discomfort.
Urinating after a cesarean section
If you're having difficulties urinating, then you might like to try some ways of triggering the urge – such as turning on a tap, hopping in a warm shower, or pouring a small amount of warm water over the area. If the difficulty persists, then the catheter might need to be reinserted.
Walking after c-section is encouraged and should be your go to for the first few weeks. You'll start to notice day to day movement getting easier and less discomfort lifting baby or moving around.
If everything goes smoothly, the procedure takes about an hour. The baby can usually be taken out in 10 to 15 minutes, or even faster in an emergency. After the baby is delivered, the womb and the various layers of the abdomen are carefully stitched up.
Bring music, books, inspirational photos etc to help you feel calm as you wait. You might even say a few words to baby as you prepare to meet him. If your cesarean is not planned or perhaps it was your greatest fear or worry, ask for a couple of minutes to adjust to this new reality before the birth.
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.
Painful urination after a C-section
That has to do with the fact that C-sections almost always include having a catheter placed, which can cause soreness and pee pain for a day or two. If you spent time pushing before having your C-section, that can cause the same temporary symptoms too.
Postpartum incontinence is also known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI), as leakage occurs when the bladder is “stressed.” It is prevalent, affecting about seven million new mothers in the US. Even low-stress deliveries and c-sections (cesarean sections) lead to incontinence in up to 50% of women.
During cesarean section, due to the impact on the body, it can cause bladder contusion. This results in bladder paralysis and urinary retention after delivery. In addition, postpartum urinary obstruction can occur due to pelvic nerve damage during delivery.
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.
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.
Gentle exercise, such as walking, will help you recover from your c-section. But avoid anything more active until you have no pain and you feel ready. For example, avoid driving, carrying anything heavy, having sex or doing heavy housework, such as vacuuming, until you feel able to.
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.
“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.”