How to prepare for a caesarean section

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 3: What is a Caesarean section
Method 2 of 3: Planning a Caesarean Section
Method 3 of 3: Recovering from a Caesarean Section
Tips

A cesarean section is a procedure in which the baby is surgically removed.This operation is performed when natural childbirth is impossible, or there is a high risk to the health of the mother or child, or when a cesarean section has already been done before, or even when the mother, for one reason or another, prefers this method of giving birth to a natural child. In some cases, a caesarean section is done on request. If you are planning to undergo a cesarean section on a planned basis or are afraid that it may be required urgently, then you need to know how this operation is going, do the necessary tests, and also discuss the hospitalization plan with your doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: What is a Caesarean section

1 Find out why your doctor recommends a caesarean section. Depending on how your pregnancy is progressing, your doctor may recommend a caesarean section, as a natural birth can negatively affect the baby or mother. Caesarean section is recommended as a preventive measure if:
- You have chronic illnesses such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or kidney disease.
- You have an HIV infection or acute genital herpes.
- The child's health is at risk due to some kind of disease or congenital defect. If the baby is too large to pass safely through the birth canal, the doctor may also recommend a caesarean section.
- You are overweight. Obesity can cause other risk factors, so if you are overweight, your doctor may also recommend a caesarean section.
- The child is in front of the legs, but at the same time it cannot be turned over so that during childbirth he walks in the right way.
- You have already had a cesarean section in previous pregnancies.
2 Stay up to date on how the operation is performed. Having a basic understanding of what surgery is like will help you psychologically prepare for a caesarean section. In general, most of these operations are carried out according to the same principle, and they can be divided into the following several steps.
- The nurses will clean the abdomen and insert a catheter into the bladder to collect urine. Next, you will be placed with an angiocatheter to supply the body with the necessary fluids and medications during the operation.
- Most cesarean sections are performed under regional anesthesia, which only numbes the lower body. This means that during the operation, you will be in full creation and will be able to see the baby being taken out of the womb. Usually anesthesia is done spinal, that is, the drug is injected into the space surrounding the spinal cord. In cases of emergency caesarean section, general anesthesia may be given, which means you will sleep during labor.
- During the operation, the doctor makes a horizontal incision in the abdominal wall, close to the pubic hair line. In an emergency caesarean section, a vertical incision is usually made almost from the navel to the beginning of the pubic bone.
- The doctor then makes an incision in the uterus. About 95% of all caesarean sections are done with a horizontal incision in the lower part of the uterus, because the muscle in the lower part of the uterus is thinner, which means less blood loss during the procedure. If the baby is in an unusual position (that is, the presentation of the fetus is different from the head) or too low, the doctor may make a vertical incision.
- After that, the doctor takes out the child, lifting him up through the incision made. A suction is used to clean the child's mouth and nose of amniotic fluid, then the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. You may feel like someone is jerking you when the doctor pulls the baby out of the uterus.
- The doctor then removes the placenta from the uterus, checks the health of the reproductive organs, and closes the incision with sutures. After that, they are usually allowed to get to know the child and attach him to the breast right on the operating table.
3 Be aware of the risks associated with the operation. Some women ask for a cesarean section for one reason or another. However, most gynecologists around the world recommend first and foremost natural childbirth, and caesarean section only when medically necessary. The choice in favor of a caesarean section (if there is no medical indication) should be made only after a serious discussion with the doctor: the doctor must tell about the procedure itself and about all the possible risks of surgery and anesthesia.
- Caesarean section is considered a major operation, and very often blood loss during this operation is much higher than during vaginal delivery. The recovery period after a caesarean section is also longer: you will have to spend two to three days in the hospital. Complete recovery from this surgery, like most abdominal surgeries, takes about six weeks. After a caesarean section, the risks of complications during subsequent pregnancies increase significantly. In subsequent births, your doctor will most likely advise you to have a caesarean section to prevent uterine rupture, that is, when the uterus "breaks" along the line of the cesarean section scar during a vaginal delivery. However, in rare cases, natural childbirth after a cesarean section is possible - it depends on how the operation was performed and other factors.
- There are also risks associated with the operation itself, since the operation will require regional anesthesia - various reactions of the body are possible to it. With a caesarean section, the risk of blood clots in the veins of the legs and pelvic organs increases. There is also always a risk of infection of the wound itself.
- A caesarean section can cause a variety of health problems in a baby, including transient tachypnea (when the baby is breathing abnormally during the first few days after birth). A cesarean section, if done too early, increases the baby's risk of breathing problems. There is also a high risk of surgical injury, as the doctor may accidentally cut the baby's skin during the operation.
4 Be aware of the potential benefits of the operation. Scheduling a cesarean section allows you to plan for the birth of your baby and have more control over when such a long-awaited event like a baby arrives. In contrast to urgent surgery, planned cesarean sections have a lower risk of complications, including infections. In addition, during elective surgery, many women do not experience negative reactions to anesthesia. A caesarean section also helps prevent damage to the pelvic floor during labor, which can lead to bowel problems.
- If the baby is very large (called fetal macrosomia), or if you have multiple pregnancies, your doctor may recommend a caesarean section because it will be the safest way to deliver. With a caesarean section, the risk of transmission of the infection or the virus from mother to baby is lower.

Method 2 of 3: Planning a Caesarean Section

1 Pass the required medical tests. Before surgery, your doctor will most likely ask you to have certain blood tests. These tests will give doctors important information about the blood type and hemoglobin level, which may be needed if a blood transfusion is needed during surgery.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medication, especially if the medication you are taking may interfere with the operation.
- Your doctor will ask you to consult with an anesthesiologist to rule out any medical conditions or drug allergies that could complicate the anesthesia.
2 Talk about a date for your caesarean section. The doctor will advise you on the best date for surgery based on your condition and your child's condition. Many women have a caesarean section at the 39th week of pregnancy, as this is what the doctor recommends.If your pregnancy is proceeding normally, your doctor will most likely recommend a date that is closest to your expected due date.
- Once you have chosen the date of the operation, you will be able to fill in all the necessary information on the registration forms of the hospital (maternity hospital) - this can be done in advance.
3 Know what to expect the night before your surgery. Before the operation, the doctor will be sure to discuss with you how the operation will be performed. You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. Try not to eat anything at all, not even hard candy, chewing gum, or drinking water.
- Get a good night's sleep before surgery. Shower before going to the hospital, but do not shave your pubic hair, as this increases the risk of infection. A nurse at the hospital will do this if necessary.
- If you are iron deficient, your doctor may recommend that you increase your iron intake by changing your diet and taking nutritional supplements. Since a caesarean section is a major operation, you will lose a lot of blood, and high iron levels will help you recover faster from the operation.
4 If possible, decide who will be in the operating room during the procedure. When planning a caesarean section, you should discuss with your spouse or someone who will support you during your caesarean section what he or she should expect before, during, and after the operation. You must indicate if you want this person to be with you during the entire operation, or only after the birth, with you and the baby.
- In many hospitals and maternity hospitals today, the presence of a loved one is allowed, who can also take pictures. In any case, you should discuss the entire process in advance and clarify whether the presence of unauthorized persons in the operating room is allowed.

Method 3 of 3: Recovering from a Caesarean Section

1 Plan to stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover. After the anesthetic wears off, the pain reliever will be administered intravenously (through an angiocatheter) using a dropper. Your doctor will ask you to get up and walk after surgery as this will help speed recovery and help prevent constipation and blood clots.
- Nursing staff will monitor the incision after a cesarean section for signs of infection and that you are drinking enough fluids for your bladder and kidneys to function properly. After giving birth, you should start breastfeeding your baby as soon as possible - as soon as you feel better. Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are extremely important to you and your baby.
2 Ask your doctor what pain medications you can take and about home care. Before you leave the hospital and go home, ask your doctor what pain medications you can take if needed and what preventive measures you should take (for example, what vaccines may be needed). Timely vaccinations will protect your health and that of your baby.
- Remember that if you are breastfeeding, some medications may be contraindicated for you, or for safety reasons you may want to avoid them.
- The doctor should also explain what the process of "involution" of the uterus is, when the uterus contracts back to its original size (as it was before pregnancy), and about postpartum vaginal discharge, which is called lochia. Lochia is a bright red bloody discharge that can last up to six weeks. After giving birth, you will need to wear special extra-absorbent menstrual pads, which are sometimes given in hospitals free of charge. In no case should tampons be used, as this may interfere with postpartum recovery.
3 Take care not only of your child, but also of yourself when you are at home. Recovery from a caesarean section can take anywhere from one to two months, so take your time to do all the housework and limit your physical activity. Try not to lift anything heavier than your child and minimize housework as much as possible.
- Assess your level of activity by lochia, as they worsen with excessive exertion. Over time, the spotting will turn pale pink, dark red, yellowish, or light in color. Do not use tampons or douching until the lochia is over. Don't have sex until your doctor tells you it's safe to do so.
- Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a healthy, balanced diet will help your body recover faster and also prevent excess gas and constipation. Try to keep your baby care essentials close at hand so you don't have to get up too often.
- Pay special attention to any fever or abdominal pain, as these could be signs of an infection. If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.