Cesarean Section Procedure, Step by Step
- Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia. ...
- Initial Incision. ...
- Follow-Up Incisions. ...
- Suctioning of Amniotic Fluids. ...
- Delivery of Baby's Head. ...
- Delivery of Baby's Shoulders and Body. ...
- Baby Is Born. ...
- Delivery of the Placenta. ...
- Closing the Incision. ...
Full Answer
Is a cesarean section a common and safe procedure?
While the c-section is a major surgery (any invasive procedure that enters a body cavity, such as the abdomen), the procedure is very safe and effective. That said, it does carry risks, like any surgery, such as of infection, blood clots, or hemorrhage. However, serious complications are rare. 4
How to prepare for a cesarean section?
Preparing for a C-Section
- Determine who is going to be with you.
- Ask if you can have the epidural or spinal block before the catheter goes in to reduce discomfort.
- Decide if you want the screen between you and your lower half up or down. (I.e., Do you want to watch your baby being born?)
- Make a skin-to-skin plan. ...
What is the best anesthesia for a cesarean section?
- Your medical history
- Your place of birth
- Your doctor's preference 2
- Whether the delivery is an emergency
- If you will be expected to have a longer surgery, such as additional procedures, or a concern about scar tissue
When to call your doctor after a cesarean section?
When to Call the Doctor
- If you have an increase in bleeding or clots from the vagina
- If you have a foul odor or colored discharge from the vagina
- If you have bleeding or discharge or foul odor from your abdominal incision
- If your incision comes apart
- If your pain is uncontrolled by the medications they’ve prescribed
- If you have a fever
What are the procedures step by step for a cesarean delivery?
Here is a picture essay, with a step-by-step explanation of a c-section birth.Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia. Photo © StockByte/Getty Images. ... Initial Incision. ... Follow-Up Incisions. ... Suctioning of Amniotic Fluids. ... Delivery of Baby's Head. ... Delivery of Baby's Shoulders and Body. ... Baby Is Born. ... Closing the Incision.More items...•
What is the process of a cesarean section?
The doctor might use either a vertical or transverse incision. (A horizontal incision is also called a bikini incision because it is placed beneath the belly button.) Next, a 3- to 4-inch incision is then made in the wall of the uterus, and the doctor removes the baby through the incisions.
How many layers are cut for C-section?
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
What are the 7 layers cut during C-section?
The seven layers are the skin, fat, rectus sheath (medical term for the coating outside the abs), the rectus (abs, which are split along the grain somewhat more than cut), the parietal peritoneum (first layer surrounding the organs), the loose peritoneum and then the uterus, which is a very thick muscular layer.
What organs are removed during C-section?
In most c-sections, the bladder and intestines are moved aside so the ob-gyn can keep them safely out of the way while delivering the baby and repairing the uterine incision. Those organs won't be moved outside the body, though.
How many types of stitches are used in cesarean delivery?
After the baby is born and the placenta removed, the surgeon stitches up the uterus and the different tissue layers. There are two types of caesarean section, which differ according to the direction of the incision on the abdomen. These are the classical cut and the bikini cut.
How long will you bleed after C-section?
How long do you bleed for after a c-section? You will have some vaginal bleeding (called lochia) for 2–6 weeks after the birth. Bleeding sometimes lasts longer than this, but it should have stopped by 12 weeks.
How long is recovery from C-section?
It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.
How many Cs can a woman have?
“So, every patient is different and every case is unique. However, from the current medical evidence, most medical authorities do state that if multiple C-sections are planned, the expert recommendation is to adhere to the maximum number of three.”
Which stitches are better for C-section?
The researchers found, however, that on average suturing takes 9 minutes longer to complete than stapling. “Based on these results, we recommend that C-section incisions be closed with stitches rather than staples,” says Dr.
What kind of stitches are used for C-section?
Since you'll receive two incisions — one in your abdomen and one in your uterus — your surgeon will close both incisions. Dissolvable stitches are used to close your uterus. These stitches are made from materials that the body can easily break down, so they'll dissolve gradually as the incision heals.
Do they remove uterus during C-section?
Cesarean hysterectomy refers to removal of the uterus at the time of cesarean delivery. It is a technically challenging procedure owing to the anatomic and physiologic changes of pregnancy, including a massive increase in blood flow to the uterus at term.
What to expect during a C section?
What to expect during a c-section. There are generally three different types of anaesthesia that are available. C- section surgery. Recovering from a C-section. A caesarean, also commonly known as a C-section or surgical birth (1) is a surgical procedure during which a baby is baby is born via two surgical incisions ...
Where is the incision made in the womb?
Your uterus will now be exposed, and an incision will be made on the lower part of your womb (or elsewhere, depending on the baby’s position).
Why do doctors recommend a C section?
Your doctor may suggest a caesarean section as opposed to giving birth naturally if you have a pre-existing health condition that necessitates , or if you’ve experienced some issues and complications during pregnancy or in previous pregnancies.
How long do you stay in hospital after a C section?
Recovering from a C-section. Generally, you will be in hospital for 3 nights and 4 days following your surgery. You will be transferred to your postpartum hospital room and you will initially receive pain medication through your IV which will then be switched to medication which can be taken orally.
What is the term for the placenta covering the cervix?
Placenta previa – occurs when the placenta covers -a woman’s cervix either partially or completely. Foetal hypoxia – the oxygen supply to the unborn child is compromised. Prolapse of the umbilical cord - This is when the umbilical cord drops into the vagina through the open cervix in front of the baby.
Why do women have c-sections?
Elective C-section. In some countries, women are given the option to elect to have a c-section for non-medical reasons, the primary of which are convenience and the reduction of anxiety (although the reduction of maternal anxiety is often considered a medical reason). With a c-section, the baby’s birth date and approximate time ...
What is the term for tearing the uterus during pregnancy?
Amniotic infection syndrome: Medically termed Chorioamnionitis, while rare, this condition can cause an infection of the placenta and possibly the foetus, and result in the need for an immediate delivery. Uterine rupture – tearing of the uterus that can occur in late pregnancy or during labour.
Where does a cesarean birth take place?
Cesarean Procedure. Cesarean birth happens through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus rather than through the vagina. There has been a gradual increase in cesarean births over the past 30 years.
How long does it take to recover from a cesarean birth?
Talk with your ob-gyn or other health care professional about your options. A hospital stay after a cesarean birth usually is 2–4 days. The length of your stay depends on the reason for the cesarean birth and on how long it takes for your body to recover.
What is the most common incision for a VBAC?
The most common incision is the low transverse incision. This incision has fewer risks and complications than the others and allows most women to attempt a VBAC in their next pregnancy with little risk of uterine rupture.
Why is the head of a baby delivered first?
The baby’s head will be delivered first so that the mouth and nose can be cleaned out to allow it to breathe. Once the whole body is delivered, the health care provider will lift up and show you your baby. THe uterus will be closed with stitches that will dissolve in the body.
Where is the incision made in the uterus?
They will be pulled apart so that the health care provider can gain access to the uterus. An incision will then be made into the uterus, horizontally or vertically.
Can an incision be made in both the abdomen and the uterus?
An incision will then be made into the uterus, horizontally or vertically. The same type of incision does not have to be made in both the abdomen and uterus. The classical incision made vertically is usually reserved for complicated situations such as placenta previa, emergencies, or for babies with abnormalities.
What is the best position for a woman to have a cesarean delivery?
The traditional position for a cesarean delivery is to have the woman supine but tilted to the left with a rolled towel or other wedge placed beneath the right side of the pelvis. The purpose is to shift the weight of the uterus (which is nearly always dextro-rotated) away from the compressible vena cava and onto the spine and aorta, thus preventing hypotension and the nausea and decreased fetal blood flow that might otherwise result. It is true that most women will do fine without the tilt but it is simple, logical and free and certainly sometimes useful.
Why is exteriorizing the uterus important?
Exteriorizing the uterus is probably a useful procedure in a teaching institution, because everyone can see what is being done. Whether it has any other advantage or risk is controversial, and the literature is conflicting. I find it time consuming, awkward, abrasive to peritoneal surfaces (increasing the risk of adhesions --- a factor not addressed by the literature I found). If we leave it where it belongs, we do not need to struggle to get it back inside after closure of the hysterotomy, worry about clots forming in the huge and distended broad ligament veins, nor about air embolus.
Can a Foley catheter be used for a cystotomy?
A full bladder can make entry into the abdomen dangerous, but if the bladder is already relatively empty, a Foley catheter is not necessary . If an inadvertent cystotomy occurs, a simple purse string suture of a rapidly dissolving material (such as chromic) can be used for closure, followed by two or three days of drainage. That is all that is needed. These injuries on the dome of the bladder heal much quicker than injuries made near or through the trigone, such as might occur during a vaginal hysterectomy. If the bladder is full enough to be in the way, it can be drained with suction tubing and a number
Do women like subcuticular closure?
prefer a subcuticular skin closure. It takes a minute or two longer than staples but the careful approximation of edges inherent in a subcuticular technique leads to rapid healing with a usually good cosmetic result. There are data (Tuuli et al., 2011) to suggest that a subcuticular closure results in fewer wound infections, which makes sense to me, since everything is beneath the surface. More importantly, women like it. Seeing staples in the skin is unpleasant for them, and they worry that removal will be painful (which, of course, it usually isn’t).