Caesarean section A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line. A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so its usually only done if its the safest option for you and your baby. Around 1 in 4 pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean birth. Why caesareans are carried out A caesarean may be recommended as a planned (elective) procedure or done in an emergency if its thought a vaginal birth is too risky. Planned caesareans are usually done from the 39th week of pregnancy. A caesarean may be carried out because:
If theres time to plan the procedure, your midwife or doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of a caesarean compared with a vaginal birth. Asking for a caesarean Some women choose to have a caesarean for non-medical reasons. If you ask your midwife or doctor for a caesarean when there are not medical reasons, theyll explain the overall benefits and risks of a caesarean to you and your baby compared with a vaginal birth. If youre anxious about giving birth, you should be offered the chance to discuss your anxiety with a healthcare professional who can offer support during your pregnancy and labour. If after discussing all the risks and hearing about all the support on offer you still feel that a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option, you should be offered a planned caesarean. If your doctor is unwilling to perform the operation, they should refer you to a doctor who will. What happens during a caesarean Most caesareans are carried out under spinal or epidural anaesthetic. This mean youll be awake, but the lower part of your body is numbed so you will not feel any pain. During the procedure:
The whole operation normally takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Occasionally, a general anaesthetic (where youre asleep) may be used, particularly if the baby needs to be delivered more quickly. Find out more about how a caesarean is carried out Recovering from a caesarean Recovering from a caesarean usually takes longer than recovering from a vaginal delivery. The average stay in hospital after a caesarean is around 3 or 4 days, compared with an average of 1 or 2 days for a vaginal birth. You may experience some discomfort in your tummy for the first few days. Youll be offered painkillers to help with this. When you go home, youll need to take things easy at first. You may need to avoid some activities, such as driving, until you have had your postnatal check-up with the doctor at 6 weeks. The wound in your tummy will eventually form a scar. This may be obvious at first, but it should fade with time and will often be hidden in your pubic hair. Find out more about recovering from a caesarean Risks of a caesarean A caesarean is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery it carries a certain amount of risk. Its important to be aware of the possible complications, particularly if youre considering having a caesarean for non-medical reasons. Possible complications include:
Find out more about the risks of a caesarean Future pregnancies after a caesarean If you have a baby by caesarean, it does not necessarily mean that any babies you have in the future will also have to be delivered this way. Most women who have had a caesarean section can safely have a vaginal delivery for their next baby, known as vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). But you may need some extra monitoring during labour just to make sure everything is progressing well. Some women may be advised to have another caesarean if they have another baby. This depends on whether a caesarean is still the safest option for them and their baby. For more information, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has a leaflet on birth options after previous caesarean section (PDF, 357kb). BestCareCompare | ||||||
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