Cesarean delivery mostly follows this process:
- You will be positioned on an operating table.
- A urinary catheter may be placed before entering the operating room.
- The physician may start an intravenous (IV) line in your arm or hand.
- The physician will shave the hair around the surgical site. They will clean the surgical site with an antiseptic solution.
- The physician may give you local anesthesia, either an epidural or a spinal block to numb you from the waist down.
- Once the anesthesia has taken its effect, the physician makes a cut above the pubic bone, mostly along the bikini line.
- The surgeon makes a deeper cut through the tissues and separates the abdominal and uterine muscles and then enters the uterine cavity.
- The physician will open the amniotic sac to deliver the child through the opening and cut the umbilical cord.
- The physician will give you medicine through the IV line for a contraction of the uterus and ejection of the placenta.
- The physician may watch for remnants of the placenta and tears in the uterus.
- Finally, the physician closes the muscles and tissue layers with sutures or surgical staples.
- The sutures may be removed on day 7.
What is cesarean delivery?
Cesarean delivery is the surgical delivery of a baby by making an incision in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus. Although cesarean delivery is generally safe, it should be performed during certain circumstances. About 30% of all babies in the United States are born through cesarean delivery.
There are certain disadvantages of cesarean delivery over vaginal delivery. They are as follows:
- Longer recovery period Prolonged hospitalization
- Uterine scarring, making further pregnancies riskier
Why is cesarean delivery needed?
Cesarean delivery might be planned due to a medical reason or performed due to any medical emergency. Cesarean delivery might be recommended in
- Cephalopelvic disproportion (a condition where the baby’s head or body is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis).
- Previous cesarean birth (attempting vaginal birth may cause the uterus to rupture).
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Placenta previa (a condition where the placenta covers partially or fully the opening of the cervix).
- Transverse lie (the baby lies in a horizontal or sideways position of the uterus).
- Breech presentation (the baby is positioned to deliver feet or bottom first).
- Mothers with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Mothers with infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or herpes.
An emergency cesarean delivery may be indicated in the following situations:
- Fetal distress (a condition where the fetal brain starts experiencing oxygen shortage)
- Failure of labor to progress
- Placental abruption (the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus)
- Cord compression (the umbilical cord is tangled around the baby’s neck or body)
- Prolapsed cord (the umbilical cord comes first before the baby)
Cesarean delivery should be avoided when
- The mother has a severe pulmonary disease.
- There is a defect in the child that may lead to their death.
What are the complications of cesarean delivery?
Cesarean delivery involves some risks that include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Embolism (a blood clot that breaks into the bloodstream)
- Fetal injury
- Injury to the bowel or bladder
- Tear in the uterine wall
- Risks from general anesthesia
- Abnormalities of the placenta in the consequent pregnancy
- Infection in the uterus
- Wound infection
- Trouble urinating or urinary tract infection
- Blood clots
Subsequent pregnancies may have an improper placental position due to a uterine scar from cesarean delivery done at present.
SLIDESHOW
Conception: The Amazing Journey from Egg to Embryo See SlideshowReferences
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/7246-cesarean-birth-c-section/risks--benefits
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=cesarean-delivery-92-P07768
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=cesarean-delivery-92-P07768
Complete List
Top How Is A Cesarean Delivery Done? Related Articles
Childbirth Delivery Methods and Types
Learn about the pros and cons of various childbirth methods, such as the Bradley method, C-section, natural childbirth, water birth, Lamaze, and vaginal delivery. Read about birthing centers, hospital and home births, midwives, and doulas.
Braxton Hicks Contractions (False Labor)
Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Though these irregular uterine contractions may occur in the second trimester, they're more likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. Unlike true labor pains, false labor pains are often irregular, may stop when you walk, rest, or change positions, and the contractions do not get closer together or stronger.
Labor Symptoms (Early Signs)
Every woman's experience with labor and delivery is unique for each woman, and thus "Normal" labor varies from woman to woman. Some of the common signs and symptoms of normal labor include the "baby dropping," increase urination, back pain, contractions, and diarrhea.
How Do You Do CPR On a Newborn?
Neonatal resuscitation (CPR) provides oxygen, stimulates breathing and gets the heart to start pumping normally. Most premature babies and babies with certain congenital conditions require extensive resuscitation.
Labor and Delivery
Early and later symptoms and signs of labor and delivery are unique to each woman. Early signs of labor are "lightning" and passing the mucus plug. Later symptoms and signs that labor that labor is are the woman's water breaking, and when contractions begin. There are three stages of labor, stage 1 is the longest and occurs when the cervix begins to thin and dilate. During stage 2 of labor the baby passes through the birth canal and remains there until delivery, and stage 3, is when the baby is delivered.
How Long Does It Take to Go Into Labor After Being Induced?
The time it takes to go into labor after being induced can take anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 days. Learn what to expect when inducing labor. Check out the center below for more medical references on labor and childbirth, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Stages of Pregnancy: Week by Week
See pictures on the various stages of pregnancy. See and learn what changes a woman's body goes through and view fetal images of how her baby grows during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.What Are the Steps in Neonatal Resuscitation?
Neonatal resuscitation is a series of emergency procedures performed by a doctor to support newborn babies who are not breathing, are gasping or have a weak heartbeat at birth. These skills allow a doctor to save the lives of newborn babies.Why Do Doctors Shave You Before Delivery of Your Baby?
Pregnancy labor shave of the perineum before delivery is usually a topic for debate. Doctors may shave you before delivery for hygiene reasons or to reduce the risk of infection due to a surgical incision or C-section incision. During a normal vaginal delivery, the doctor may use a vacuum to aid in the removal of the baby from the birth canal. This is also called vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. This procedure augments (speeds up) the process of delivery, reduces the risk of injury to the baby and helps avoid cesarean delivery because it has a high risk of maternal morbidity.Why Is Forceps Delivery Done?
Forceps delivery is a type of assisted delivery in which tong-shaped instruments are used to ease the baby out of the birth canal. These instruments are used to cradle the baby’s head in the vagina and turn the baby into a better position if needed so that they can be guided out.
Why Would a Newborn Need a Ventilator?
Some babies may have trouble breathing. Respiratory distress or failure may be the result of underdeveloped lungs or a congenital condition. The mechanical ventilator provides oxygen until the baby can breathe unassisted.