Cesarean Birth
Frequently Asked Questions: Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Care
What are the reasons for cesarean birth?
Is a cesarean birth necessary if I have had a previous cesarean birth?
What are the preparations for cesarean birth?
What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure?
How is the procedure performed?
What should I expect after the procedure?
What should I expect during recovery?
What is cesarean birth?
Cesarean birth is the delivery of a baby through incisions made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus.
What are the reasons for cesarean birth?
The following situations are some of the reasons why a cesarean birth is performed:
- Failure of labor to progress—Contractions may not open the cervix enough for the baby to move into the vagina.
- Concern for the baby—For instance, the umbilical cord may become pinched or compressed or fetal monitoring may detect an abnormal heart rate.
- Multiple pregnancy—If a woman is pregnant with twins, a cesarean birth may be necessary if the babies are being born too early, are not in good positions in the uterus, or if there are other problems. The likelihood of having a cesarean birth increases with the number of babies a woman is carrying.
- Problems with the placenta
- A very large baby
- Breech presentation
- Maternal infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus or herpes
- Maternal medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure
Is a cesarean birth necessary if I have had a previous cesarean birth?
Women who have had a cesarean birth before may be able to give birth vaginally. The decision depends on the type of incision used in the previous cesarean delivery, the number of previous cesarean deliveries, whether you have any conditions that make a vaginal delivery risky, and the type of hospital in which you have your baby, as well as other factors. Talk to your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other health care professional about your options.
Can I request cesarean birth?
Some women may request a cesarean birth even if a vaginal delivery is an option. This decision should be weighed carefully and discussed with your doctor. As with any surgery, there are risks and complications to consider. Your hospital stay may be longer than with vaginal birth. Also, the more cesarean births a woman has, the greater her risk for some medical problems and problems with future pregnancies. This may not be a good option for women who want to have more children.
What are the preparations for cesarean birth?
Before you have a cesarean delivery, a nurse will prepare you for the operation. An intravenous line will be put in a vein in your arm or hand. This allows you to get fluids and medications during the surgery. Your abdomen will be washed, and your pubic hair may be clipped or trimmed. You will be given medication to prevent infection.
A catheter (tube) is then placed in your urethra to drain your bladder. Keeping the bladder empty decreases the chance of injuring it during surgery.
What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure?
You will be given either general anesthesia, an epidural block, or a spinal block. If general anesthesia is used, you will not be awake during the delivery. An epidural block numbs the lower half of the body. An injection is made into a space in your spine in your lower back. A small tube may be inserted into this space so that more of the drug can be given through the tube later, if needed. A spinal block also numbs the lower half of your body. You receive it the same way as an epidural block, but the drug is injected directly into the spinal fluid.
How is the procedure performed?
A cut (incision) is made through your skin and the wall of the abdomen. The skin incision may be transverse (horizontal or "bikini") or vertical. The muscles in your abdomen are separated and may not need to be cut. Another incision will be made in the wall of the uterus. The incision in the wall of the uterus also will be either transverse or vertical.
The baby will be delivered through the incisions, the umbilical cord will be cut, and then the placenta will be removed. The uterus will be closed with stitches that will dissolve in the body. Stitches or staples are used to close your abdominal skin.
What are the complications?
Some complications occur in a small number of women and usually are easily treated:
- Infection
- Blood loss
- Blood clots in the legs, pelvic organs, or lungs
- Injury to the bowel or bladder
- Reaction to medications or to the anesthesia that is used
What should I expect after the procedure?
If you are awake for the surgery, you can probably hold your baby right away. You will be taken to a recovery room or directly to your room. Your blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, amount of bleeding, and abdomen will be checked regularly. If you are planning on breastfeeding, be sure to let your doctor know. Having a cesarean delivery does not mean you will not be able to breastfeed your baby. You should be able to begin breastfeeding right away.
You may need to stay in bed for a while. The first few times you get out of bed, a nurse or other adult should help you.
Soon after surgery, the catheter is removed from the bladder. The abdominal incision will be sore for the first few days. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication for you to take after the anesthesia wears off. A heating pad may be helpful. There are many different ways to control pain. Talk with your ob-gyn or other health care professional about your options.
A hospital stay after a cesarean birth usually is 2–4 days. The length of your stay depends on the reason for the cesarean birth and on how long it takes for your body to recover. When you go home, you may need to take special care of yourself and limit your activities.
What should I expect during recovery?
While you recover, the following things may happen:
- Mild cramping, especially if you are breastfeeding
- Bleeding or discharge for about 4–6 weeks
- Bleeding with clots and cramps
- Pain in the incision
To prevent infection, for a few weeks after the cesarean birth you should not place anything in your vagina or have sex. Allow time to heal before doing any strenuous activity. Call your ob-gyn or other health care professional if you have a fever, heavy bleeding, or the pain gets worse.
Glossary
Breech Presentation: A situation in which a fetus’s buttocks or feet would be born first.
Cervix: The opening of the uterus at the top of the vagina.
Diabetes Mellitus: A condition in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high.
Epidural Block: A type of regional anesthesia or analgesia in which pain medications are given through a tube placed in the space at the base of the spine.
Fetal Monitoring: Procedures used to evaluate the well-being of the fetus.
General Anesthesia: The use of drugs that produce a sleep-like state to prevent pain during surgery.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A physician with special skills, training, and education in women’s health.
Placenta: Tissue that provides nourishment to and takes away waste from the fetus.
Umbilical Cord: A cord-like structure containing blood vessels that connects the fetus to the placenta.
Urethra: A tube-like structure through which urine flows from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Uterus: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.
If you have further questions, contact your obstetrician–gynecologist.
FAQ006. Copyright May 2018 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
This information is designed as an educational aid to patients and sets forth current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care, nor does it comprise all proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for a treating clinician’s independent professional judgment. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.