A cesarean section — or C-section — is the surgical delivery of a baby. If you're considering an elective C-section, here's what you can expect from a C-section versus a natural birth.
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Share on Pinterest. Should you schedule an elective C-section? If you have a baby by caesarean, it does not necessarily mean that any babies you have in the future will also have to be delivered this way.
Most women who have had a caesarean section can safely have a vaginal delivery for their next baby, known as vaginal birth after caesarean VBAC. But you may need some extra monitoring during labour just to make sure everything is progressing well. For more information, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has a leaflet on birth options after previous caesarean section PDF, kb.
Page last reviewed: 27 June Next review due: 27 June The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line. Around 1 in 4 pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean birth. Why caesareans are carried out A caesarean may be recommended as a planned elective procedure or done in an emergency if it's thought a vaginal birth is too risky.
Planned caesareans are usually done from the 39th week of pregnancy. A caesarean may be carried out because: your baby is in the breech position feet first and your doctor or midwife has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you'd prefer they did not try this you have a low-lying placenta placenta praevia you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure pre-eclampsia you have certain infections, such as a first genital herpes infection occurring late in pregnancy or untreated HIV your baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients — sometimes this may mean the baby needs to be delivered immediately your labour is not progressing or there's excessive vaginal bleeding If there's time to plan the procedure, your midwife or doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of a caesarean compared with a vaginal birth.
Sometimes, a woman who needs an emergency C-section might require general anesthesia, so she'll be unconscious or "asleep" during the delivery and won't remember anything or feel any pain. C-sections today are, in general, safe for both mother and baby. However, there are risks with any kind of surgery. Potential C-section risks include:. Some of the regional anesthetic used during a C-section does reach the baby, but it's much less than what the newborn would get if the mother had general anesthesia which sedates the baby as well as the mother.
Babies born by C-section sometimes have breathing problems transient tachypnea of the newborn because labor hasn't jump-started the clearance of fluid from their lungs. This usually gets better on its own within the first day or two of life.
Having a C-section may — or may not — affect future pregnancies and deliveries. Many women can have a successful and safe vaginal birth after cesarean. But in some cases, future births may have to be C-sections, especially if the incision on the uterus was vertical rather than horizontal. A C-section can also put a woman at increased risk of possible problems with the placenta in future pregnancies. In the case of emergency C-sections, the benefits usually far outweigh the risks. A C-section could be lifesaving.
As with any surgery, there's usually some degree of pain and discomfort after a C-section. The recovery period is also a little longer than for vaginal births. Women who've had C-sections usually stay in the hospital for about 3 or 4 days. Right after, you may feel itchy, sick to your stomach, and sore — these are all normal reactions to the anesthesia and surgery.
If you needed general anesthesia for an emergency C-section, you may feel groggy, confused, chilly, scared, alarmed, or even sad. Your health care provider can give you medicines to ease any discomfort or pain. Overview Cesarean delivery C-section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Abdominal incisions used during C-sections Open pop-up dialog box Close. Abdominal incisions used during C-sections A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. Uterine incisions used during C-sections Open pop-up dialog box Close. Uterine incisions used during C-sections A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Preoperative planning and patient preparation. Accessed May 17, Nixon N, et al. Anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Surgical technique. Cesarean delivery: Postoperative issues. Frequently asked questions. Labor, delivery, and postpartum care FAQ Postpartum depression. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Accessed May 18, Committee Opinion No. Cesarean delivery on maternal request. Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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