Possible Complications
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:
- Excess bleeding
- Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Damage to other organs in the belly
- The need for more surgeries, such as a hysterectomy or bladder repair
Things that may raise the risk of problems are:
- Prior surgery of the uterus
- Chronic health problems, such as obesity
- Smoking
Reasons for Procedure
A C-section may be done in these situations:
- A C-section birth was done in the past
- Pregnancy with more than one baby
- Failure of labor to
progress
- The baby shows signs of distress, such as an abnormal heart rate during labor
- A large baby
- The baby is not in a head down position
- Health problems in the mother, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, active
herpes infection, or HIV infection
- A problem with the position of the placenta
- Changes in the fetus
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
C-sections are often unplanned. If you have a scheduled
C-section, your care team may meet with you to talk about:
- Anesthesia options
- Any allergies you may have
- Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
- Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
- Arranging for a ride to and from the procedure
Anesthesia
The doctor may give:
- General anesthesia—you will be asleep
- Regional anesthesia—your lower body will be numb
Description of the Procedure
An cut will be made in the belly and uterus. The baby will be delivered. The uterus will be closed with stitches that will dissolve on their own. Staples or stitches will be used to close the cut in the belly.
Immediately After Procedure
The baby will be examined.
How Long Will It Take?
About an hour
Will It Hurt?
Pain is common in the first few weeks. Medicine and home care
can help.
Average Hospital Stay
The usual length of stay is 3 to 5 days. If you have any
problems, you may need to stay longer.
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital
Right after the procedure, the staff may:
- Give you pain medicine
- Place the baby on your chest to promote bonding
- Teach you how to feed your baby without putting pressure on your wound
At Home
It will take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully heal. Physical activity will be limited
during this time. You will need to ask for help with daily activities and delay
your return to work.
Problems to Look Out For
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, or increased pain from the wound
- Increased bleeding or other leakage from the wound
- Pain that you cannot control with medicine
- Swelling and pain in one or both legs
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Foul smelling vaginal discharge
- New or worsening symptoms
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
