Though every woman's situation is unique, the delivery of a baby via cesarean may take as little as 15 to 20 minutes, with a further 45 minutes needed to stitch up the uterus and abdominal incision. Sometimes during an emergency cesarean, the mom will be put to sleep under a general anesthetic to ensure a safe and fast cesarean delivery of the baby. If it's a planned cesarean, you will most likely be able to have an epidural or spinal block and remain awake during the baby's delivery.
Will I Be Awake During the C-Section Procedure? You will also be given antibiotics to help prevent infection.Īfterward, you will be closely monitored for several hours in a recovery room, but while you're in the recovery room, you can hold your baby, try to breastfeed, and enjoy skin-to-skin contact. While your baby's health is being checked, the placenta is removed, and the uterus and abdominal incision are stitched up. If you or your partner is squeamish, looking away as the baby arrives may be a good idea, although it is normal for a screening curtain to be placed between your upper and lower body.Īfter the birth, you will usually be able to see your baby however, at this point, it may be brief, because staff will need to check your baby's heart rate, color, and temperature. Your partner will usually be able to join you in the operating room wearing the sanitary scrubs provided by the hospital. Then, the umbilical cord is cut, and the baby is lifted away. You might feel a slight tugging sensation, as the doctor guides your baby out. He or she cuts through tissue and separates the abdominal muscles, and then cuts open the uterus. An epidural or spinal anesthetic will be administered in some cases, but for others, such as for some emergency c-sections, you might be put under a general anesthetic.ĭuring the procedure, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision about four to six inches long along the pubic bone (where your bikini line is). What Happens During a C-Section?Īs with any surgery, you will be medically prepped, hydrated with IV fluids, and washed with an antiseptic solution. Doctors will usually ask you to sign a consent form. Your physicians will also discuss pain management options with you ahead of time, and if it's a scheduled c-section, you will need to fast the night before. Preparation is much the same as for a vaginal birth - for example, you'll need to pack a hospital bag and perhaps create a birth plan. An emergency c-section may also be recommended if the baby has a poor heart rate, if the baby is in distress, if there is a problem with the umbilical cord, or if the baby doesn't move down the birth canal.
For example, a c-section may be necessary in these situations: if the mom has preeclampsia or placenta previa (where the placenta detaches and comes out first before the baby), if the cervix stops dilating mid-labor, if there is a uterine rupture, or if the mom has an active herpes infection at the time of labor. Doctors might advise a cesarean delivery late in pregnancy or even during labor. When Is an Emergency C-Section Necessary?Īlthough you might have hoped for a vaginal delivery, there are times when an emergency cesarean is required. Some moms-to-be elect to have a c-section however, doctors generally recommend a vaginal birth if it's a low-risk pregnancy. Other reasons for a scheduled c-section include if the baby is breech (feet or bottom first instead of head down), if the baby is very large, or if the mom has a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, any of which would make a vaginal delivery more dangerous. When Is a C-Section Scheduled?įor some moms, a cesarean birth is recommended by their doctor as a medical precaution even before they go into labor.Ī planned cesarean might be recommended for a multiple pregnancy, or if the mom has had a Cesarean before. Currently, a little more than 30 percent of deliveries in the United States are by c-section. What Is a C-Section?Ī cesarean, also known as a c-section, is when a baby is delivered through an incision in the mom's abdominal wall and uterus, rather than delivered vaginally. So, whether it's planned or unplanned, here are the most common questions and answers about having a cesarean. Given that it's a major surgery, it's natural to have many questions about what a cesarean birth is like. Even if you had hoped for a vaginal birth, sometimes a cesarean section is required to ensure the health of you and your baby.