C-Section

What Is a C-Section?

A C-section is a way of delivering a baby by surgery that opens up the mother’s abdomen and uterus. It’s also known as a cesarean birth.

Though many women are certain ahead of time that they’ll have a C-section for different reasons, you may plan to have a vaginal birth only to find that your plan has to change.

During labor or delivery, your doctor might decide that you need to have a C- section right away. This can be a sudden change if your health or your baby’s health takes a turn for the worse and it’s too risky for you to have a vaginal birth.

Even if you don’t think you’ll have a C-section, it’s smart to learn what one involves, just in case you need one. About 30% of all babies in the U.S. are born via C-section, so they’re fairly common.

C-sections are safe for mothers and babies. But it is major surgery, so you shouldn’t take it lightly.

Types of C-Sections

There are several different types:

Planned C-section

If you know in advance that your baby will be born via C-section, you’ll know the date and likely won’t even go into labor. Before the procedure, you’ll get an IV so that you can receive medicine and fluids. You’ll also have a catheter (a thin tube) put into place to keep your bladder empty during the surgery.

Most women who have planned C-sections get local anesthesia, either an epidural or a spinal block. This will numb you from the waist down, so you won’t feel any pain. This type of anesthesia lets you still be awake and aware of what’s going on. Your doctor may offer you general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep, but it’s unlikely for most planned C-sections.

The doctor will place a screen across your waist, so you won’t be able to see the surgery as it happens. They’ll make one cut in your belly, then another one in your uterus. You won’t feel them because of the anesthesia.

Why Are C-Sections Performed?

You may plan to have a C-section because of certain health issues with you or your baby:

• If you’ve already had a C-section, you may not be able to deliver your next baby vaginally.
• Mothers can give some infections, like HIV and active herpes, to the baby during a vaginal delivery.
• If you have certain conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure, a C-section may be safer.
• The placenta may be blocking your cervix.
• Multiple births may make a C-section necessary.
• Your baby may be too large or in the wrong position for vaginal delivery.
• Your baby may have birth defects that make a C-section safer.
• You may start out delivering vaginally but switch to a C-section if there are problems.
• Your labor may stop progressing.
• The doctor may notice signs of distress in your baby, like an irregular heartbeat.
• The umbilical cord may get wrapped around the baby, or enter the birth canal before the baby does.
• The placenta may separate from the uterus.

C-Section Risks

A C-section is a common procedure. But as with any surgery, there is a chance something could go wrong. Risks of a C-section include:

• Infection
• Heavy bleeding
• Blood clots
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Damage to organs like the bladder or intestines
• Injury to the baby

Having a C-section can damage your uterus and make it more likely you’ll have problems with future pregnancies. But many women go on to have healthy pregnancies and safe vaginal deliveries after a C-section.

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