All about Cesarean section

Preparing for Cesarean section

Once you are at the hospital with signs of labor, a medical professional should check to make sure that you are actually in labor. If you are not, he or she may want to observe you for awhile and then suggest that you go home with instructions about what to watch for. If you are in labor, the medical professional will prepare you for your cesarean section. You are thoroughly checked the previous day before the scheduled day of cesarean surgery with necessary investigations to be fit for the Cesarean section.

About the Cesarean Surgery

You will be given anesthesia, and a plastic tube a catheter will be placed in your bladder to drain your urine during the procedure. Once you are asleep, your doctor will then make a 6- to 8-inch incision in your abdomen, directly over your uterus. If you've had a cesarean section before, your surgeon will usually try to go through the previous scar. Once the surgeon is inside, another incision will be made through the uterus. Your baby is then delivered through this opening. The umbilical cord is cut, and your baby is handed to a Pediatrician, who will take him or her to a small, warmly lit plastic crib, cleaned and put in warmer.

Also read: Hormonal changes during Pregnancy

Your placenta will then be carefully removed from your uterus. At this time, you may also receive Oxytocin, which is a drug that causes the uterus to contract and helps prevent serious bleeding.

Complications of cesarean are but not limited to

• Infections in the mother or baby

• Minor bleeding

• Separation of a scar on the uterus from a previous cesarean delivery.

• Hemorrhoids

• Constipation

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• Ileus, or a temporary stoppage of bowel activity

• Abnormal or painful scar

• Allergic skin reaction.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about possible complications associated with your cesarean section.

Recovery

It takes 5 to 7 days to be stitch removal and discharge from the hospital, Take as much rest as possible after your cesarean section. It can take from 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. Your doctor will plan a post-operative checkup after delivery to see how well you are healing.