A C-section delivery is done when it is not possible or safe for the mother to deliver the baby through the vagina.
The procedure is usually done while the woman is awake. The body is numbed from the chest to the feet using epidural or spinal anesthesia.
The surgeon make a cut across the belly just above the pubic area. The womb (uterus) and amniotic sac are opened, and the baby is delivered.
The health care team clears the baby's mouth and nose of fluids, and the umbilical cord is cut. The pediatrician or nurse makes sure that the infant's breathing is normal and that the baby is stable.
The mother is awake, and she can hear and see her baby. The father or another support person is often able to be with the mother during the delivery.
Indications
The decision to have a C-section delivery depends on:
Your doctor
Where you are having the baby
Previous childbirth
Your medical history
Some reasons for having C-section instead of vaginal delivery include:
Problems with the baby:
Abnormal heart rate in the baby
Abnormal position of the baby in the womb, such as crosswise (transverse) or feet-first (breech)
Developmental problems such as hydrocephalus or spina bifida
Multiple pregnancy (triplets, and sometimes, twins)
Health problems and medical history in the mother:
Baby's head is too large to pass through the birth canal
Labor that takes too long or stops
Very large baby
Problems with the placenta or umbilical cord:
Placenta covers all or part of the opening to the birth canal (placenta previa)
Placenta prematurely separated from uterine wall (placenta abruptio)
Umbilical cord comes through the opening of the birth canal before the baby (umbilical cord prolapse)
Risks
A C-section is a safe procedure. The rate of serious complications is extremely low. However, certain risks are higher after C-section than after vaginal delivery. These include:
Infection of the bladder or uterus
Injury to the urinary tract
Injury to the baby
A C-section may also cause problems in future pregnancies. This includes a higher risk for:
Placenta previa
Placenta growing into the muscle of the uterus and has trouble separating after the baby is born (placenta accreta)
Uterine rupture
These conditions can lead to severe bleeding (hemorrhage), which may require blood transfusions or removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).
All surgeries carry risks. Risks due to anesthesia may include:
Reactions to medications
Problems breathing
Risks related to surgery in general may include:
Bleeding
Blood clots in the leg or pelvic veins
Infection
Expectations after surgery
Most mothers and infants do well after a c-section.
Women who have a C-section may have a vaginal delivery if another pregnancy occurs, depending on:
The type of C-section done
Why the C-section was done
Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) delivery is usually successful. However, there is a small risk of uterine rupture, which can harm the mother and the baby. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of VBAC with your health care provider.
Convalescence
The average hospital stay after C-section is 2 - 4 days. Recovery takes longer than it would from a vaginal birth. You should walk around after the C-section to speed recovery. Pain medication taken by mouth can help ease any pain.
References
Landon MB. Cesarean delivery. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, ed. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2007: Chap.19.
Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Cesarean delivery and peripartum hysterectomy. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2010:chap 25.
Review Date:
7/23/2012
Reviewed By:
Melanie N. Smith, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
