C-Section: Procedure & Surgery, What to Expect?

A C-section is short for caesarean section. It is the process of delivering your baby through a surgical incision in your abdomen and uterus¹. This procedure is usually recommended during your pregnancy when vaginal delivery might be unsafe for you or your baby.

There are several medical reasons why a C-section might be necessary:

●      Your baby is positioned feet-first or bottom-first (breech position) instead of head-first

●      Your baby shows signs of distress or is not getting enough oxygen

●      Your placenta covers your cervix, which blocks your baby's exit (Placenta Previa)

●      You had a previous C-Section: some women may require a repeat C-section if they have had a previous one

●      You carry multiple babies: in cases of twins, triplets, or more, a C-section may be recommended due to the increased risk of complications during vaginal delivery.

Other reasons can influence a caesarean delivery. In any case, always discuss this with your doctor. 

During a natural delivery, your baby comes out of your vagina. Vaginal labour can sometimes last up to several hours, which can be exhausting. With a C-section, your baby exits through an incision in your lower belly. The birth itself is less strenuous with a C-section since it is often planned and happens quickly.

However, the natural birth recovery is faster:  you can resume normal activities within a few weeks. A C-section is a surgical intervention that cuts through deep tissues, so your body needs more time to heal. It typically takes 6 to 8 weeks.

The impact on your baby is also different. Vaginal birth is indeed natural, but it can inflict injuries, especially if forceps or a vacuum are used. However, this process allows for the expulsion of fluid and blood from your baby’s lungs and provides the right bacteria to help develop the tiny gut microbiome. C-section birth, while quicker and easier, does not provide this fluid expulsion and bacteria ^3-5. Don’t worry: your little one can catch up right from the start and grow up to be perfectly healthy with proper care.

Do you worry about the pain or the potential risks of both methods? Feel free to reach out to your doctor during your pregnancy!

A planned or elective C-section is prepared in advance. You schedule it with your doctors at a precise date and time during your pregnancy, and you know what to expect. It is often less stressful, as it is predictable. All medical necessities are ready, and the procedure runs smoothly. Your partner can also prepare themselves; family and friends can be waiting for you and supporting you.

On the contrary, an emergency caesarean is not planned. It happens because threats arise to your or your baby’s health during labour, like the medical reasons listed above. It can also occur when a C-section is planned, but your baby shows early signs of distress or your uterus breaks during the pregnancy. Either way, it happens because one or both lives are at stake.

But don’t worry of it happens to you: the medical staff is highly trained and will care for you and your newborn.

Did your healthcare provider recommend a caesarean delivery for you? They probably have good reasons to do so, for there are several motives for having a C-section:

• Ensuring your and your baby’s safety: You may present certain medical conditions like high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or gestational diabetes. Or maybe your baby is positioned feet or bottom first (breech position), which can lead to complications with a vaginal delivery. A C-section will also be performed if your baby shows signs of distress if their heart rate is abnormal, for instance.
• A scheduled delivery: The date and time of delivery are predetermined. This can help with planning and is made to control the end of your pregnancy, especially if it carries a high risk of medical conditions. This also can reduce anxiety about the unpredictability of labour.
• Avoid prolonged labour: The delivery is quick and smoothly performed under anaesthesia. This would be recommended by your healthcare provider if you present risks of uterine rupture be
• Controlled environment: It allows the medical staff to properly care for you and your newborn, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or if you experienced complications in previous deliveries.

Despite the benefits, C-sections also come with risks:

• A longer recovery time: Your body will need to heal from the lower belly incision, which takes longer than a vaginal delivery.
• Surgical risks are inherent since C-sections are a major surgery. You might lose a bit of blood, develop an infection, and need antibiotics.
• Impact on future pregnancies: You have a slightly higher risk of placenta previa or uterine rupture during pregnancy, so you might need to repeat C-sections.
• Your baby will miss some of the vaginal birth benefits, like the good bacteria, called Bifidobacteria, that help kickstart their immune system. They will also miss lung compression, which expulses mucus from their little lungs and is beneficial for their respiratory health.

If you’re preparing for a C-section, be sure to consider both the perks and downsides. This will help you and your partner prepare to tackle the issues if they present themselves.

There are two primary types of anaesthesia used during a C-section: spinal block and epidural. Both methods inject anaesthesia into your lower back, but they differ in their application and effect:

• A spinal block is a single injection into the spinal fluid (in your lower back). The effects are quick and effective: you feel numb from the chest down. It is typically used for scheduled C-sections and is known for its rapid onset.
• An epidural involves placing a small, flexible tube (called a catheter) into your lower back, just outside the area around your spinal cord. This tube allows doctors to give you pain relief continuously or adjust it as needed. Epidurals are commonly used when labour is already underway, and an emergency C-section becomes necessary.

In some cases, particularly during an emergency C-section, general anaesthesia may be used. With this type of anaesthesia, you will be unconscious. It is reserved for situations where there isn't enough time for spinal or epidural anaesthesia to take effect or if there are contraindications for their use.

Thanks to these types of anaesthesia, with a caesarean delivery, you can manage the pain. Consult with your doctor to know more!

If you're scheduled for a C-section, knowing what to expect can help ease your mind. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from home preparation to recovery afterwards.

Your doctor will likely ask you to stop eating and drinking several hours before the surgery. This ensures your stomach is empty, which helps reduce any risks during anaesthesia.

Make sure you have a hospital bag ready with essentials like comfortable clothes, toiletries, and items for your baby. Don’t forget any personal items that make you feel relaxed, like your favourite pillow or a good book.

Your hospital or clinic might provide some paperwork to complete beforehand. Getting this done early can make things smoother on the day of your surgery.

You are checked in and taken to a pre-op room at the hospital or clinic. Here, nurses monitor your vital signs, and you might have an ultrasound to confirm your baby’s position.

A nurse then inserts a small intravenous tube into your hand or arm. This will give you fluids and any necessary medications during the surgery. You meet with the anesthesiologist, who will discuss your anesthesia options and answer any questions you may have. This is when you decide on the type of pain relief, like an epidural or spinal block.

If you plan it, your family and friends can join you and your partner at the hospital or at the clinic. They won’t be allowed in the surgery room, but they give you support before and after. But your partner can be present with you in the surgery room! They have to be separated by a curtain from the sterile area, but they can still give you emotional support.

With an emergency caesarean delivery, your partner might still be able to be present, but it will depend on the situation.

Once you’re lying in the operating room and the anaesthesia has taken effect, the surgery begins.

The surgeon makes a small incision just above your bikini line. This cut is usually horizontal and low on your abdomen, so it’s less noticeable after it heals.

After opening the abdomen, the surgeon carefully makes an incision in your uterus. This cut is made across the lower part of your uterus, which helps reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies.

Now comes the exciting part! It’s time to welcome your baby. The surgeon gently lifts your baby out through the uterine incision. You might feel pressure or pull during this step, but it shouldn’t be painful.

As soon as your baby is delivered, the doctor clears their airway, and you’ll hear that first cry. Your baby’s umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and then you can hold your little one for the first time.

The surgeon then carefully removes the placenta from your abdomen. If necessary, your baby is handed to a paediatrician or neonatologist for immediate care. While this can be worrying, know that the medical team is doing everything possible to ensure the best care for your baby. You will be reunited as soon as it is safe to do so.

After the delivery, the surgeon closes the incisions in your uterus and abdomen. They use stitches and staples to minimise your scarring. You are then taken to a recovery area, where nurses closely monitor you as the anaesthesia wears off. You stay here for a couple of hours, and when everything looks good, you’re moved to your hospital room.

In your room, you have time to bond with your baby. This is a great time to start breastfeeding if you’re planning to. The nurses help you feed and check on both of you regularly. You will likely stay 3 to 5 days in the hospital or at the clinic before going home with your newborn.

Once you’re home, it's important to give your body time to heal. Keep your incision area clean and dry, and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for a few weeks. Feeling tired and sore is normal, so take it easy and ask for help when needed.

You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to check your incision and ensure your recovery is on track. Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider with any concerns or questions during your recovery.

Knowing each process step can help you approach your C-section with more confidence and peace of mind. If you need it, your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way, and your close ones for emotional support.

Recovering from a C-section requires time and care. You’ll start moving around in the hospital or clinic within a day to aid healing. Pain around your incision is normal. If you take your medication, you will feel better quickly.

At home, you will focus on resting. For about six weeks, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities. Listen to your body; you can gradually increase your activity as you feel better.

Emotional recovery is important, too! It’s perfectly normal to feel different, and even blue. You can talk to someone if you feel overwhelmed. Don’t forget to follow up with your doctor to ensure everything is healing well.

Take it day by day, and lean on support when needed. Your body is strong; you will recover with time.

Babies born via C-section have a slightly different start compared to those born vaginally since they don’t pass through the birth canal ^3-5.

C-section babies might also have a slightly higher chance of initial breathing issues, as they may need more help clearing fluids from their lungs, but this usually resolves quickly. They will also miss out on beneficial bacteria from your birth canal, which gives a natural immune boost since the microbiome plays a role in digestive and immune health. 

However, proper care can help them catch up on immunity. You can contact your healthcare provider to learn how to give your baby the best and help them catch up.

In the long term, and with proper care, they can reach the same milestones as other babies and thrive. Reach out to your healthcare provider to learn how to help your baby catch up!

A C-section is a standard and safe method for delivering a baby when natural birth isn’t possible. While recovery takes time and care, you and your baby will do well with proper support and understanding. As you heal, the key is to be informed, prepared, and gentle with yourself.