How do they perform a C-Section procedure?

Question

What are the dangers involved?

Answer 1

One of the most controversial topics in modern obstetrics is cesarean section. Cesarean section refers to a major surgical procedure where a baby is removed from the uterus by making a cut into the abdomen, then into the uterus. Although in many cases a cesarean section, or C-section for short, is necessary to save the life of the baby or mother, there are other situations where women and their doctors are choosing this form of birth because they feel it is more convenient, because of fear about pain during vaginal delivery, or due to concerns about lawsuits. It is these "non medical" reasons for choosing a C-section that spark so much controversy. Education is the key to understanding this common and interesting surgical procedure, which should help women and their partners decide if this form of childbirth is appropriate for them.



Some complications that can occur during or after a C-section include heavy bleeding, damage to the bladder or intestines, major infections of the uterus, kidneys, lungs, or other areas, opening up of the skin incision, blood clots around the uterus or in the leg veins or lungs, an inability of the blood to clot, and damage to the uterus that makes future childbirth more dangerous. The uterus is a large, muscular organ that has an enormous blood supply. When an incision is made into the uterus, there can be a lot of bleeding. Modern doctors have medications and stitches to stop this, but even so, there are some women who need a blood transfusion during a C-section. (Others, on rare occasions, need a hysterectomy to save their life).

Most women who undergo a C-section need to take oral iron pills, since the blood loss is at least twice as much as during a vaginal delivery. A number of women develop uterine infections, requiring extra days in the hospital and powerful antibiotics.

Another reason why many believe that vaginal delivery is preferable to a C-section is that some patients who have a C-section must always have another C-section, due to the type of cut made into the uterus. While the cut on the skin does not matter, the cut on the uterus is very important. We try to make a side-to-side cut on the uterus, called a "low transverse uterine incision," since these are safer and have a very small chance of breaking open during later pregnancies. Since the chance of the incision breaking open during a later pregnancy is very small (probably at or under about 1%), doctors now consider it safe to try for a vaginal delivery during later pregnancies if the patient has a prior low transverse incision. This is called a "vaginal birth after cesarean" or VBAC (pronounced "V-Back"). An up-and-down uterine cut, in contrast, has a much higher chance of breaking open, which can cause heavy internal bleeding or even stillbirth, so we consider it unsafe to try for a vaginal delivery when there is a history of a prior vertical incision. These patients should have a repeat C-section.

Babies also need special attention during a C-section. Their lungs are not compressed by the vagina during a C-section, so they often have lungs with a little extra fluid in them. Not all problems occur during a C-section; some occur later. These include pelvic pain or pain with intercourse from scar tissue (called adhesions), difficulty using "sit-up muscles," and development of scar tissue between the afterbirth and the uterine lining in later pregnancies (which can lead to hemorrhage or emergency hysterectomy).

Answer 2

A c-section can be a lifesaving operation when you or your baby experience certain problems before or during labor. You will be given an epidural or some other "spinal Block" medication (local anesthesia) to numb your body from the waist-down. Then the operation will be performed and you will be awake and alert for the baby's arrival unless there is a serious emergency. If it is serious and the baby must come out immediately the doctors will "knock you out" (general anesthesia). A c-section (Cesarean Section) is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision (a cut) in the abdomen and the uterus. The baby is then pulled out of your abdomen and thoroughly checked over. You may feel some tugging or pulling and hear some strange noises when the baby is pulled out. Your placenta will then be removed and then the incisions will be closed.

Answer 3

Assuming the c section is planned the will put you under local anesthetic. First they hook up your IV's. Then I was given an antacid to drink. Then they take you in the operating room. Then they administer anesthesia. I was given a spinal block. You get the anesthesia while you are sitting up they insert a needle in your back. Then after thats done you lay down with your arms out next to you. I was given an oxygen mask one time, but didn't need one another time. My husband was in the room. They put a drape up on your chest so you can't see what the doctors are doing. They tell you they are going to begin and then they start. It doesn't take very long from the first incision until you feel them pull the baby out. I forgot to mention the spinal block allows you to still feel pressure but no pian. You are aware of tugging and pulling and pressure but it doesn't hurt. Once the baby is out he or she will be shown to you briefly then they go weigh and measure the baby and do the apgar. They show the baby again and then dad and baby go to the nursery. The doctors then remove the placenta and begin stitching you up. Once thats done you are taken to a special recovery room. If you and baby are both okay baby can come in the room with you. After the anesthesia wears off (2 hours or so) you can return to your room. You recieve pain medicine. The risks are those of any surgery. It is fairly routine but still a MAJOR surgery which ppl sometimes forget. I didn't have too much pain afterwards but I know some friends who have had bad recoveries. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Very painful! I had to have my son via an emergency c-section after pushing for 6 hours straight! The pushing, and labor itself did not compare to the pain of the c-section. The cut right across your pubic bone, and the pull on it. The pain afterwards is excrutiating, not to mention you're trying to breastfeed your newborn while in this pain. The recovery was slow, and my incision got infected which caused scar tissue to form underneath. I would NEVER reccommend for anyone to have a c-section! Ouch!

Answer 5

Back in December of '05 I had an emergency c-section. I'm not sure if emergency c-sections are performed different than normal ones but from what I remeber (because I was so heavily medicated), my son's heart stopped beating will I was pushing so they rushed me to the o.r., upped my epidural dosage, put up a sheet (like a clothing line) that prevented my from seeing what they were doing. All I felt and heard was my skin ripping like a pair of tight jeans. What I felt wasn't painful at all, but I could still feel it. I felt when they pulled my son out. After he was out, they pulled my placenta out, then started pushiing down around my rib cage, I guess to get the access fluid out. Again, I felt all of this but it wasn't painful, if anything, it was annoying. Now when they stapled me up (i received 13 staples), I didn't feel a thing. When they put me back in my room, they attached a machine to my i.v. that allowed me to pump a certain amount of morphine into my body to help ease the pain. It wasn't until after they took this machine away that I was in agonizing pain. About a week after I got out of the hospital, I had to get my staples removed. After they removed the staples, I just went about my business as if I had a vaginal delivery.

Answer 6

This from personal experience (3 months ago) with a planned c-section:
Went to the hospital, they put me in a room. The nurse came back and I signed the paperwork. Changed, then waited 5 minutes. Nurse came in gave me an IV, the doctor that does the epidural came in. A couple minutes later my doctor came in, they take me to the operating room. Then it was done. We have a beautiful baby girl.
I was in bed for 3 days. Period lasted 6 weeks. (probably not what you wanted to hear) i was hurting for 3 wks. But doing good now. Good luck!

Answer 7

http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/surgical_videos/cesarean.html

to see 1 performed.

Dangers? too many to mention

(edit) Try this site for more information on C section facts

http://www.compleatmother.com/factsheet.htm