There are times when a woman needs help during labor and delivery, and inducing labor is not an option. The only other solution is to do a Caesarean delivery, or C-section.
These times include the following:
- If your baby stops moving down the birth canal and your cervix is no longer dilating.
- If your doctor feels that your baby’s heartbeat can’t safely handle any more labor.
- If your umbilical cord comes through the cervix, with concern that the baby’s oxygen supply will be cut off.
- If your placenta is starting to tear away from your uterine wall, making it imperative that your baby be delivered immediately.
- If you have genital herpes and your water breaks.
If there is time, your doctor will explain to you why a C-section is necessary and you will be asked to sign a consent form. Your partner will be allowed to be with you in most cases. The anesthesiologist will tell you about your different choices for pain control.
The most common type of pain control is the epidural or spinal block. The lower part of the body is numbed, but you will remain conscious to view the birth of your baby.
The process of the C-section
The doctor will cover your belly with antiseptic and cut through the layers of tissue from just above the pubic bone to the uterus. Once the doctor reaches the uterus, a horizontal cut is made and the doctor then reaches in and delivers your baby. After the baby has been examined and your placenta is removed, you will be given the baby to hold while you are being stitched up, layer by layer. After the surgery is done, then you are taken in to a recovery room where you will continue to be monitored for a few hours.
Once the anesthesia has worn off you may get either pain shots every 3-4 hours or an IV that will allow you to give yourself a safe dosage of pain reliever whenever you feel the need. With a C-section, you may expect to stay in the hospital for about 3-4 days, depending on the situation.
The first few days after your C-section
You will probably feel somewhat groggy and nauseous after your C-section. Your incision will probably feel numb and sore. The incision itself will look puffy and darker than the rest of your skin color. When you sneeze, cough, or laugh, the area around the abdomen will be sore for a few days. You may experience a gas buildup at first, but once you are able to get up and walk a little, your system will start working again. Your stitches will be removed in 3-4 days before you are sent home.
What happens when you leave the hospital?
Remember that you have had major surgery and you will not be able to do a lot of things for a while. So plan on accepting help from others.
Keep taking your medication as prescribed, drink plenty of liquids and walk, slowly at first. Your vaginal bleeding will take up to six weeks to go away.
What kind of emotions will you feel?
If you were planning on having a vaginal delivery and ended up with a C-section birth, you may feel disappointed and cheated. You may feel like an incomplete person because you did not get your magical birth moment. All these feelings are normal. Visit with your doctor about any feelings you have so you don’t have to feel like you have to suffer these feelings on your own. Also, try talking to others that have experienced the same thing, and get some perspective on what others have felt after their C-section.
You will still be likely to feel the same kinds of emotions that most mothers go through, whether they had a vaginal birth or a Caesarean birth.
The point is that you are not alone with your different feelings and emotions. So please share them with someone, if you need to. You will have enough stress with your hormones adjusting and settling in to a new life with baby around. The less stress you have, the more you will be able to relax and enjoy the precious moments with your little miracle.
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