Sometimes, you are aware right from the start that you will have to undergo a caesarean section during delivery. You are prepared for it. However, in some other cases, just when you are about to go into labour, your doctor would recommend a caesarean section for you. It can come like a jolt out of nowhere, even though you might already know that it is an absolutely painless process. In this article, we will take you through some of the important points that you should know about having a caesarean section.
Planned and unplanned C-Sections
If you want to have a C-section, you can plan for it after your 39th week. You can talk to your doctor about your preferred delivery time and date. While some women opt for C-sections because it is a painless process, some women are recommended for the same by their doctors because of the following reasons:
- When the baby is in the bottom-down or breech position
- When carrying twins or triplets
- When the mother has low-lying placenta issues that block the baby’s natural birth
- When the mother is HIV positive
- When the mother experiences genital herpes or water leakage issues
Unplanned or sudden C-sections
- If you haven’t gone into past labour well past your due date
- Vaginal bleeding during labour
- You go into labour before your planned date
- Other health risks for you or the baby
Process of the caesarean section
- First, your doctor administers local anaesthesia in the form of an epidural or spinal block. He waits for some time for the anaesthesia to take effect before he begins incision.
- You are given enough antacids, fluids, antibiotics and other medications through IV to help you cope well during the process and keep you safe from infections after the C-section.
- To drain out the urine completely, a catheter is inserted into your urethra.
- Then, he cuts open your stomach and takes the baby out safely. You will not feel any pain during the process. He then stitches back your stomach and uterus properly. The entire process lasts for about 50 minutes only.
- You are taken back to your hospital room where you are kept under observation for about 2 hours. The doctor then brings your baby to you and helps you in holding him properly for breastfeeding.
You can have your partner with you, throughout the process of the C-section, if the hospital’s rules permit it. In most cases, you will be back to your normal self within one week of your delivery.
Side effects of C-Section
- You may experience back-pain at times during the first 6 weeks after your delivery. However, leading an active lifestyle and indulging in at least 30 minutes of physical and mental exercises every day can help you alleviate the pain.
- You may experience pain from the wound caused due to the cutting open of your stomach. However, your midwife or doctor would give you painkillers to reduce the same.
- You may experience constipation for a few hours after your C-section, but that’s not something that you need to worry about.
