What is the process of a cesarean delivery?

Currently, many pregnant women are prescribed by doctors to have a cesarean section to ensure the health of both mothers and babies. But very few mothers know how the caesarean section works? Pregnant women need to prepare anything to feel more secure before stepping on the operating table.

Most pregnant women are advised to give birth normally to have a healthy baby, and the mother will recover more quickly. In cases where pregnant mothers are diagnosed with difficulties at giving birth, each cesarean delivery, large fetus ... doctors have to appoint pregnant mothers to have a cesarean section to ensure safety for both mother and baby.

Please refer to this article of aFamilyToday Health to learn carefully how the caesarean section takes place so you can easily imagine your upcoming birth.

Find out why you need a cesarean section

Caesarean section or cesarean section is one of the most common types of surgery. For pregnant mothers who are assigned to give birth by this method, doctors will operate and remove the fetus through an abdominal incision instead of giving birth through the vagina.

In some situations, the appointment of a cesarean section will ensure safety for mother and baby, here are the reasons why you should have a cesarean section:

1. No progress in labor

Delayed labor is one of the most common reasons for choosing a caesarean section. Delayed labor can happen if your cervix doesn't widen enough or doesn't open even though the uterus keeps contracting and pain continues to occur.

2. The fetus is in a dangerous situation

If you notice abnormal changes in the baby's heartbeat, doctors will usually order you to have a caesarean to ensure your baby's safety.

3. The fetus is in an unfavorable position

When the fetus is in an unfavorable position such as horizontal, the mother will have to cesarean section. In this situation, if you still want to have a normal birth, the baby is at risk of not getting enough oxygen or failing to conceive. As for the case of buttocks , the mother may have a cesarean section or not depending on the situation.

4. Pregnant mother with multiple pregnancies

Birth is often difficult for pregnant women with multiple pregnancies . Twin pregnancies can be considered for birth depending on the circumstances, but pregnant women with three or more pregnancies are more likely to require a cesarean section.

5. There is a problem with the placenta

Placenta forwards and placenta placenta are two common problems with the placenta. The forward placenta is when the placenta is low in the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix. Placenta disruption occurs when the placenta is removed from the lining of the uterus, which interferes with the fetal oxygen uptake. Both cases occurred in the third trimester and are the cause of the pregnancy that causes pregnant women to have cesarean section.

6. Lay the umbilical cord

Status cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord slipped through the cervix and out before the baby is born. Although this is rare, it is still a risk and hinders normal delivery. If you fall into this situation, the pregnant mother will be assigned emergency surgery.

7. Pregnant mother has health problems

If you have some infections that risk spreading to your baby during normal birth, pregnant mothers will be advised to have a caesarean section to avoid infecting the baby. A mother with HIV and hepatitis B still gives birth normally.

In addition, pregnant mothers should choose a cesarean section if there is one of the health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease ...

8. Mechanical obstruction

If you have a large forward tumor blocking your vagina, your baby will find it difficult to pass through your pelvis.

9. Ever had a cesarean section

Mother who has had a caesarean section is likely to have to re-operate in some cases such as: the previous cesarean section is too close (about 12-18 months), has had 2 previous surgery, buttock pregnancy, narrow pelvis, large fetus ...

The risks of cesarean delivery

Like many other major surgery, caesarean section also has potential risks for both mother and baby.

Possible risks in the baby include:

Have respiratory problems: Babies who have a cesarean section often find it harder to breathe, because during normal birth, the mother's uterine contractions are very beneficial for the baby's lungs.

Asthma Risk: A bacteria found in the gut is also thought to cause allergies and later asthma attacks.

Surgical Injury: Although rare, it is still risky to ignore surgical instruments that can damage the baby's skin during a cesarean delivery.

The risks that mothers may face when having a C-section:

Infections: Pregnant mothers who have a caesarean section can face the risks of infections such as metritis, urinary tract infection , and caesarean section infection.

Losing a lot of blood: A cesarean section causes you to lose more blood than a normal birth, especially during surgery.

Effects of anesthetics: Pregnant mothers will usually receive spinal anesthesia (some cases of epidural anesthesia due to the need to relieve pain after surgery) to lose the feeling of the mother's abdomen. This method is safer than general anesthesia, but the mother can still face risks such as severe headache or nerve damage.

Blood clots: Caesarean surgery also increases the risk of developing, forming blood clots. If a blood clot stays in the lungs, it causes lung congestion, which is life-threatening.

Surgical Injury: Although rare, surgical trauma to the bladder or intestines can occur during a caesarean section.

Adhesion: This is the formation of scar tissue that causes internal organs in the womb to stick together or stick to the abdominal wall. Mothers who have a second C-section are at higher risk. This condition will make the mother feel pain, affecting the movement.

Pregnant mothers need to prepare for a caesarean section?

If you are prescribed a cesarean section before the sign of labor, you can talk to your obstetrician about the type of anesthesia, problems that can increase your risk of complications during and after delivery. have the best preparation.

You may also be offered certain blood tests prior to surgery such as: blood clotting test, blood type ... These tests will provide information about your blood type and blood level. pigment, the main component of erythrocytes. This will be helpful in case you need a blood transfusion while the surgery is in progress.

Even if you have the perfect planning for a normal birth, there is a need to be mentally prepared for the possibility of a cesarean delivery if unexpected circumstances arise. The reason is that when an emergency occurs, the doctor won't have time to explain the procedure or answer your question in detail about a caesarean section.

After undergoing a cesarean section, you need plenty of time to rest and recover. So just before your baby is born, you might consider seeking some help early after your baby is born.

What is the caesarean section process and what needs to be prepared?

The caesarean section process is divided into 3 different stages as follows:

1. Before the surgery takes place

You should shower with an antiseptic shower gel the night before or the morning of your surgery. In the morning of the cesarean section, you are often asked to pump an enema so that you can have a clean bowel movement, to avoid the case of your mother having a bowel movement during delivery.

After you step into the operating room, your abdomen will be clean and sterile. The doctor will place a catheter to allow urine to flow into the storage bag during the operation to ensure hygiene. You will also receive intravenous fluids in your hands so you don't become dehydrated.

After that, you will be under anesthesia. Most cesarean deliveries are subject to local anesthesia, so the mother remains awake throughout the delivery process. In some emergencies, the pregnant mother will be under general anesthesia, meaning you are unconscious during the operation.

3. During surgery

First, the doctor will make an incision on the wall of your abdomen, usually the doctor will make a horizontal incision in the bikini area. In some cases, the doctor may make a vertical incision from the navel to just above the pubic bone. Your doctor will then perform layered incisions through your adipose and connective tissue, separating the abdominal muscles so that they can reach the uterus in the abdominal cavity.

If it is an incision of the uterus, it will usually be across the lower part of the uterus. Other types of uterine incisions may be used depending on where the baby is in your uterus and whether you have complications, such as placental problems.

The surgeon will take the baby out through the uterine incision. The baby was then cleaned of the nose and mouth, and then the umbilical cord clamped. If you are awake, you will be able to see your baby and her skin-to-skin on your chest-abdomen area. The doctor will then remove the placenta, clean the uterus, and stitch the cuts one after another with self-digesting threads.

3. After a caesarean section

After the surgery, you will be taken to the postoperative room for the medical staff to follow and care for about 5-10 hours. After that, you will be taken back to the rest room, the health staff will encourage you to drink a lot of water to drain the catheter so you can urinate normally. After about 24 hours of surgery, you will be encouraged to walk to prevent constipation and the formation of deep vein thrombosis.

You will have to stay in the hospital from 3 to 5 days for the doctor to monitor the condition of the incision to find out if there is any sign of infection as well as take care of your health and pain relief.

As soon as you get back in the room, you can start breastfeeding if you feel comfortable with it. There are many questions about whether to breastfeed immediately after a cesarean section. The answer is that a caesarean section does not have much effect on breastfeeding, so it's best to breastfeed as soon as possible.

Before you leave the hospital, talk to your obstetrician about any preventive care or services you need, such as post-caesarean birth control or any unusual signs that you need to be aware of.

When can you be discharged?

After the caesarean section, it's normal for you to experience feelings like fatigue and discomfort. For faster recovery, you need:

Rest whenever you can: Try to keep everything you and your baby may need within reach. During the first few weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby's weight. Also, avoid sitting up suddenly from a squatting or lying position.

Use pain relievers : To ease the pain caused by the incision, doctors may recommend heating pads, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other medications for pain relief. Most pain relievers are safe for use by a nursing woman.

Avoid having sex: To prevent infection or damage to the surgical wound, you should avoid having sex for six weeks.

It is a good idea to check your incision regularly for early detection of infection. Pay attention to any signs or symptoms you experience. Get to the hospital immediately if you experience symptoms such as:

Your incision is red, swollen, or bleeding

You have a fever

You bleed a lot

Your pain gets worse

Giving birth is a noble gift that God has bestowed on a woman. If unfortunately you cannot give birth naturally, don't worry too much. Find out carefully how the caesarean section will take place to prepare well!

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