What a woman needs to know about Caesarean section

Cesarean is usually done when complications during pregnancy make it difficult for a vaginal birth or endanger the mother or baby. Sometimes cesareans are planned at the beginning of pregnancy, but are most often performed when complications occur during. Reasons for making Caesarean section include: - the baby has developmental difficulties; - the baby's head is too big for the birth canal; - the baby first comes out; - the pregnancy complications; - the mother's health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart disease . The risks of a cesarean include: - bleeding - embolism (blood clotting) - breathing problems for the baby, especially if performed before 39 weeks of pregnancy - increased risks for future pregnancies - infection - harm to the child during surgery . If you and your doctor decide that a caesarean section is the best birth option, your doctor will give you complete instructions on what you can do to reduce the risk of complications and to have a successful cesarean section. As with any pregnancy, prenatal appointments will involve many examinations that will include other examinations to determine compatibility with a cesarean.

The doctor will note for possible transfusions during surgery. Blood transfusions are rarely needed during a cesarean, but the doctor will be prepared for any complications during surgery. Even if you do not intend to have a caesarean section, you should always prepare for the possibility of a complication that would require a caesarean. During doctor appointments, discuss the cesarean risk factors and what you can do to reduce them. Make sure all of your questions are answered and you understand what might happen if you have to go through an emergency cesarean section.

Because a caesarean needs extra time to recover from a normal delivery, an extra pair of hands will be helpful at home. Not only because you will recover from surgery, but your baby will also need attention. Plan to stay in hospital for three to four days for recovery. Before surgery, your abdomen will be cleaned and you will be ready to receive intravenous (IV) fluids in your arm. This allows doctors to administer fluids and any type of medication you need.

You will also have a catheter to keep your bladder empty. There are three types offered to the mother - in the spinal block, (in the vicinity of the spinal cord, it only affects the lower half of the body) and general anesthesia (reserved for emergency situations). After anesthesia and medication, the doctor will make a horizontal incision at the base of the pelvis. The scar left will be easy to cover. In emergency situations, the incision may be vertical.

Once the incision has been made and the uterus is exposed, the doctor will make an incision in the uterus. This area will be covered during the procedure, so you can not see the procedure. The baby will be removed from the uterus after the second incision. The doctor will cleanse the baby's nose and mouth and cut it off. The child will then be taken over by neonatologists and nurses who will prepare the baby before being presented.

Meanwhile, the doctor will suture the uterus and close the abdominal incision with sutures that will self-resorb. After cesarean surgery you will stay with your newborn in the hospital for about three days. Immediately after surgery, you will be connected to intravenous infusions. This allows the adjusted analgesic levels to be delivered in the blood while the anesthetic is removed. The doctor will encourage you to get up and walk.

This can help prevent blood clots and constipation. A nurse or a doctor can teach you how to position your baby so that there is no extra pain in the incision area of ​​the operation. .