You won't feel any pain during the C-section, although you may feel sensations like pulling and pressure. Most women are awake and simply numbed from the waist down using regional anesthesia (an epidural and/or a spinal block) during a C-section. That way, they are awake to see and hear their baby being born.
You will be numb from your abdomen to your legs and feel no pain. General anesthesia is the only pain relief method used during labor that makes you lose consciousness. You will not be awake for the birth of your baby. With general anesthesia, your baby may be exposed to some of the medications before delivery.
Under most circumstances, undergoing a c-section via Spinal Anesthesia or Epidural Anesthesia (rather than General Anesthesia) is preferred since it involves less risk and has the advantage of allowing you to be awake during your baby's birth.
If you are overly concerned that you will not be able to sleep, talk to your doctor who can prescribe a prescription sleep aid for the evening prior to your surgery. Your doctor may give you other prescription medications to be taken before your surgery as well.
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath after having a caesarean section can be a sign of fluid in the lungs or a pulmonary embolism (a blockage in the arteries of the lungs caused by a blood clot), Dr. Liriano explains. When you're pregnant, you're more likely to form blood clots for various reasons.
Most C-sections are done under regional anesthesia, which numbs only the lower part of your body. This allows you to be awake during the procedure. Common choices include a spinal block and an epidural block. Some C-sections might require general anesthesia.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
If you have had a general anaesthetic, you will stay in the recovery room until you wake up, usually in about 30 to 60 minutes. You will be able to see your baby when you wake up. Your baby may be allowed to stay with you unless the team is worried about your health or the baby's health.
How long does an average C-section take? Usually, a cesarean takes about 30-45 minutes.
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.
The biggest difference between spinal blocks vs epidurals is their amount of pain relief: spinal blocks provide total pain relief, while epidurals provide partial pain relief. The reason for this difference is that the former is an anesthetic, while the latter is an analgesic—no sensation versus no pain.
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.
General anesthesia involves being put to sleep during delivery. It works quickly, but is usually only an option for emergency C-sections or other urgent issues like excessive bleeding during delivery.
Sleepy baby
Babies born by caesarean section may be a little sleepy. They may need some extra encouragement to stay alert during the first few feeds. Skin-to-skin contact will encourage them to latch and feed more often.
It's best to wait until you've had your 6-8 week postnatal check with your GP before returning to your pre-pregnancy levels of exercise. If you weren't very active before your pregnancy, this is a good time to start exercising. Try to build up gradually and stop if you have any pain.
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.
A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby.
Cesarean delivery is associated with future subfertility and several subsequent pregnancy risks such as placenta previa, uterine rupture, and stillbirth.
Your muscles quickly spring back and begin to function with reduced pain by the end of the first week. An episiotomy or tear can mean that the muscles of the pelvic floor heal more slowly. There is often more pain and hesitation to move your bowels, which contributes to gas and abdominal pain.
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.
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.