Cesarean surgery, also known as a C-section, is a procedure done to deliver a baby through an opening created in the abdomen. Pregnancy complications can lead to a scheduled C-section and delivery complications can lead to an emergency C-section. This procedure is typically only done when absolutely necessary for the baby and the mother's health. The Mayo Clinic suggests possible reasons for surgery delivery to be labor that is not progressing, a drop in baby's heartbeat, abnormal fetal position, health complications for the mother or multiple babies.
Pre-surgery Procedures
Cesarean surgery is a major procedure. To prepare, a woman will be given anesthesia. American Pregnancy Association explains that a general, spinal or epidural method can be administered. In the event that a woman already received an epidural during labor, she will be given a different drug in the same method to help numb the abdomen. The epidural anesthesia consists of a catheter that is inserted into the epidural space of the spine. This area is near the tailbone on the back. A spinal delivery of anesthesia consists of an injection at the spine of a numbing drug.
In preparation for this procedure the skin is cleansed and a catheter is inserted to take care of bladder elimination as long as the woman is numb from the waist down. In the surgery room the mother will be placed on a surgery table with her arms out away from her body. A sheet is placed up so that she is unable to see the surgery procedure.
Surgery Procedure
The first incision begins on the abdomen wall. The physician will make a horizontal cut as long as the delivery is not an emergency surgery, states American Pregnancy. In an emergency situation the cut is often made from the naval to the pubic area to allow a faster removal of the infant. The bikini cut, or the horizontal cut, is made just above the pubic bone in non-emergency situations. The stomach muscles will also be cut and pulled apart to reveal the uterus.
A second incision is made into the uterus. Like the abdominal incision, the cut is made horizontally unless it is an emergency. Once the uterus is opened, the amniotic fluid is suctioned away and the baby is withdrawn from the mother's body head first. As the baby is being pulled out, the nose and mouth will be suctioned to promote breathing. As the baby is handed off to a nurse, the placenta will be delivered before the surgery site is closed up.
Post-surgery Procedures
While the baby is being evaluated, the surgery team begins closing the uterus and abdomen. Surgical sutures are made to seal the uterus and the stomach muscles. Surgical staples are often used to seal the abdomen, states BabyCenter.com. The mother may begin to tremble from the anesthesia. She may also be drowsy. Once the site has been completely sealed, the mother and baby may be allowed to bond.
Most women spend an additional two days in the hospital while the C-section site heals. During this time it will be monitored for oozing or other signs of complications. On the last day of the hospital stay, the staples are removed and replaced with steri-strips, or surgical tape that keeps the skin together as it heals. These steri-strips may be removed at home under the advice of the doctor after several days or they may remain in place until the six week well-mother checkup.
