Women's Health
Maternity
Labor and Delivery
Cesarean Section Surgery
Once you are in the operating room, you will lie on your back
on the operating table. Your abdomen will be washed with antiseptic
solution and draped with sterile sheets. A screen will be placed
between your head and abdomen that prevents you and your coach
from viewing the surgery. You will be given either spinal or
general anesthesia. If an epidural is already in place, it may
be used for your surgery.
The surgery will take about an hour but it will only be five
or ten minutes before the baby is born. The remainder of the
time is needed to close your incision. If you are awake for the
surgery, you may feel a variety of sensations such as tugging
in your abdomen, shoulder pain, pressure, burning, nausea, or
shortness of breath. Tell the anesthetist how you feel. After
the baby is delivered, you may be given some medication to help
you relax during the rest of the surgery. Your uterine and abdominal
muscles will be repaired with absorbable sutures. Your skin incision
will be closed with either removable sutures or surgical staples.
If you are awake for the delivery, you may be able to see the baby before it goes to the nursery. Coach may hold the baby or, if coach is not in the operating room, the nurses will show him or her the baby as soon as possible.
If you have general anesthesia for your Cesarean birth, coach
may not be able to be in the operating room however, the nurses
will make sure that he or she sees the baby as soon as possible.