All you need to know about Caesareans
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Around one in every four pregnant women in the UK ends up having a Caesarean, so it's a good idea to know what's involved, even if you're planning a vaginal birth. Just because the rate has increased in recent years doesn't make it any less of an operation. It's still major surgery and it's useful to know what to expect.
The basics
A Caesarean is where an incision is made through the skin and muscle of your lower abdomen, and into the womb, in order to deliver your baby.There are three 'types' of Caesarean:
- Elective: This is where the decision has been planned in advance by the mum-to-be and her obstetrician. It may be because the baby's lying in a breech position, the mum-to-be has had a previous Caesarean, has active herpes or has chosen for personal reasons not to give birth vaginally.
- Emergency: The baby may have started to show signs of distress in early labour or there might have been little progress during labour.
- Crash: This is a true emergency. If you don't have an epidural in place, you'll be given a general anaesthetic, as the baby needs to be delivered immediately. This may be because of a placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the womb wall, which results in bleeding), a prolapsed cord (where the placental cord falls into the birth canal ahead of the baby's head, potentially cutting off the blood supply) or the baby's heart rate is showing signs of distress.
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victoria lee, about 1 year
I had a emergancy c section. At the time i didnt realise what the after effects of his would be , i am 9 wks post op know and have had two infections in my scar, it is still sore at times and weeps very often. I am postin this as when i had my first infection i was really scared so want people to know they are not on there own, what you are experiencing is quite normal.
Report this commentMrs P Mallon, about 1 year
Beware, all women choosing to have elective C-sections! The aftermath, as with all abdominal operations, is ADHESIONS where the bowels get strangled with growths. I know, I had caesareans through necessity and am now crippled for life. Ironically this is one situation when a further operation is not feasible. I cannot sit up for any length of time without getting "tied in a knot" and spend the next six weeks vomiting, not eating and not drinking. It's bad! I was never warned but if I had been there would have been one baby only!
Report this commentDebbie Macken, about 1 year
I am just 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and it will be my 3rd c-section, for the past 48 hours my scar area has become really really sore and is giving me a lot of pain, is this normal - i never had this with the last one so was bit worried and i dont like pestering the hospital or midwives all the time.
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Antonia, 12 months
I had an emergency C section 7 weeks ago and the stitches have not dissolved. Is this normal? Should i be worried? I've looked for advice but can't find any on the internet and the doctors are closed for the weekend.
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