Contents:
Medical Video: Live C-Section Medical Course
Definition
What is a caesarean section?
Caesarean section is a procedure for giving birth to a baby with surgical operations. This operation is usually recommended for the following reasons:
- your baby is in a breech position
- your baby is not growing well or is depressed
- the placenta is above your cervix
- You have had a previous cesarean section
- twin pregnancy
- complications occur that make caesarean section better
- You have medical problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing a caesarean section?
Caesarean section is considered relatively safe. However, it sometimes creates a higher risk than normal labor. If you have a caesarean section, you will need a longer recovery time than normal vaginal delivery. If you plan to give birth normally and are worried about a caesarean section, consult your doctor or midwife first. Ask what type of caesarean section procedure is usually performed and what steps are recommended for normal labor.
Is there an alternative to caesarean section?
Alternatitives that can be done is to do normal labor or vaginal induction.
Process
What should I do before a caesarean section?
Almost all cesareans are performed with spinal anesthesia or epidural anesthetic. You will be asked about your health condition, because if you have a medical problem before taking an epidural, it can affect this operation.
How is the caesarean section?
The operation usually takes less than one hour. Your obstetrician will dissect your stomach horizontally in the lower abdomen. The muscles of your abdominal wall are separated, then the uterus is opened and the baby is removed through the gap.
What should I do after a caesarean section?
You can usually go home after three to five days. During the first two weeks care will be taken for your baby. Don't lift something heavy or do strenuous exercise for six weeks. Most women need three months to recover.
Complications
What complications can occur?
Risk to mother
The main risks when having a caesarean section include:
- used surgical wound infection
- cervical infection, known as endometritis, which can cause fever, uterine pain, and abnormal vaginal or heavy bleeding from the vagina
- blood clots (thrombosis) in your feet, which can be dangerous if a part of the blood clots breaks and there is a blockage in the lungs
- very heavy bleeding
- damage to the bladder or ureter (a tube that connects the kidney and bladder), which may require further surgery.
However, recent developments in the practice of cesarean section show that infections are now rare. Doctors will give a single dose of antibiotics to women before surgery to reduce the risk of infection.
Risk in infants
The most common problem in infants born by caesarean section is difficulty breathing, although this is common in premature babies. For babies born at week 39 or more by caesarean section, the risk of breathing difficulties is significantly reduced.
Having a caesarean section does not necessarily increase or reduce the risk of complications in your baby, such as injury to the nerves in the neck and arms, internal bleeding, cerebral palsy or death. Sometimes the baby's skin can be damaged when the opening in the uterus occurs. This happens in a ratio of 2 to 100 babies born by caesarean section, but usually can be easily treated.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
