C-Section Recovery & Support Blog

If you’re having a c-section for the first time, it’s important to know what the c-section procedure is all about and what actually happens.  The more you know, the less frightening the procedure is.

There are a number of things that happen before, during and after having a c-section, here’s a run down of what you can expect.

When you first arrive at the hospital you will be taken to a preparation room to prepare for your surgery.

At the start, you will be hooked up to a fetal monitor so that the doctor’s and the nurses can observe the baby and her vital signs.

Then you will be given your pain medication which will be an epidural or spinal.  This type of anesthesia will numb your body from about your waist area to your feet.  This allows for you to be awake during the procedure.  If your doctor determines that you should not be awake you will be administered a local anesthesia and you will not be awake at all.

You will also receive an I.V. (intravenous fluid) in your arm or hand to make sure your body is kept hydrated and medicated during the procedure.

Next, they will insert a catheter which is a plastic tube that will drain your urine during the surgery.  Be sure to ask that you get your anesthesia before the catheter is inserted; you want your anesthesia first, as inserting the catheter can sting a little.

When the time is ready you will be wheeled to the operating room where the c-section procedure will begin.

You will have surgical drape that will be placed directly in front of your view so that you will not be able to see the surgery, however your birthing partner will be suited up in sterile medical clothing and will be allowed to stand next to you.  If your partner wishes, s(he) will be able to view the surgery by looking around the drape.

Usually the anesthesiologist, the person who administered your pain medication, will sit directly beside you as well.  This is to help ensure you are comfortable and relaxed.  The anesthesiologist is also there to answer any questions you may have about the procedure, so if you want to know something at any time during your surgery, be sure to ask, they are there to help.

Before the start of the procedure your abdomen will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution and the area may also be shaved and draped with sterile sheets.

The actual c-section procedure involves the doctor making a small horizontal incision, about 8-10 inches just above your pelvic line. Once the incision is made you won’t feel any pain, but you may feel pulling and tugging sensations.  The doctor will lift the baby’s head and suction the amniotic fluid from her mouth, then he will lift the rest of your baby out.

The baby is then handed to the nurse where your baby will be weighed, cleaned and wrapped.  When having a vaginal delivery, the fluid that accumulated in your baby’s lungs is naturally squeezed out during the process of going through the birth canal, however with a c-section, your baby does not go through the birth canal and  will need a little extra help with squeezing out the fluid, in many cases oxygen may also given to baby.

If you are awake for the delivery, you may be able to see the baby before s(he) goes to the nursery. Your partner may also hold the baby.

While your baby is being tended to the doctor will take out the placenta, and the anesthesiologist will administer Pitocin which works to reduce bleeding by contracting the uterus.  You may also receive an antibiotic to help fight any chance of infection.  The doctor will sew you up using either sutures or staples.  You will have both a uterine (internal) incision and an outer (skin) incision.   If this is your first c-section this may take about an additional 15-20 minutes, it can be longer for subsequent c-sections.

Once completed you will be moved to the recovery room where you will be closely monitored before moving to your hospital room.  Next, you will be on your way to your c-section recovery.