WHAT IS CESAREAN SECTION

 

WHAT IS A CESAREAN SECTION

C-section,  Cesarean section, or Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Types of C-sections, there are two types of C-sections; elective and emergency cesarean sections. Insertions made in the skin may be Up-and-down (vertical) or Across from side-to-side (horizontal). The up-and-down (vertical) incision extends from the belly button to the pubic hairline. 

The Across from side-to-side (horizontal) incision extends across the pubic hairline. It is used most often because it heals well and there is less bleeding. That insertion depends on the health status of the mother and the fetus.

Causes of CESAREAN birth

1. Abnormal fetal heart rate. The normal rate varies between 120 to 160 beats per minute. If the fetal heart rate shows there may be a problem, your provider will take immediate action. This may be giving the mother oxygen, increasing fluids, and changing the mother's position. If the heart rate doesn’t improve, he or she may do a Cesarean delivery.
2. Abnormal position of the fetus during birth.  Sometimes a fetus is not in the right position. This makes delivery more difficult through the birth canal. The normal position for the fetus during birth is head-down, facing the mother's back. 
3. Problems with labor. Labor that fails to progress or does not progress the way it should lead to Cesarean delivery.
4. Size of the fetus. If the baby is too large for your provider to deliver vaginally.
5. Placenta problems. It includes placenta previa, in which the placenta blocks the cervix. (Premature detachment from the fetus is known as abruption.)
6. Certain conditions in the mother. If the mother is diabetic, has high blood pressure, or HIV infection
7. Active herpes sores in the mother’s vagina or cervix may lead to Cesarean delivery.
8. Twins or other multiples may lead to Cesarean delivery.
9. Previous C-sections may lead to Cesarean delivery to avoid uterus rapture. 

Risks associated with  Cesarean birth

some of the complications of  Cesarean delivery are Reactions to the medicines used during surgery, Bleeding, Abnormal separation of the placenta, especially in women with previous Cesarean delivery, Injury to the bladder or bowel, Infection in the uterus, Wound infection, Trouble urinating or urinary tract infection, Delayed return of bowel function, and Blood clots.

Symptoms after Cesarean delivery include; fever. worsening pain,increased vaginal bleeding,increased redness at the incision site, drainage or swelling of the surgical incision, breast pain with redness or fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pain when urinating. A woman may not be able to have a vaginal birth in a future pregnancy after a C-section. Depending on the type of uterine incision used. Vertical scars are not strong enough to hold together during labor contractions, so a repeat C-section is necessary.

How to get ready for C-section

• You have to be explained the procedure and you can ask questions.
• Signing a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure.
• Your health provider will ask you when you last had anything to eat or drink. If your C-section is planned and requires general, spinal, or epidural anesthesia, you will be asked to not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure.
• If you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicine, latex, iodine, tape, or anesthesia tell your healthcare provider.
• All medicine (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, herbs, and supplements that you are taking tell your healthcare provider about them.
•  If you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants), aspirin. or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may be told to stop these medicines before the procedure tell your healthcare provider.
• Your health provider may give you medicine to decrease the acid in your stomach. These also help dry the secretions in your mouth and breathing passages.
• Have someone stays with you after a C-section. You may have pain in the first few days and will need help with the baby.
• Follow any other instructions your provider gives you to get ready.

The process to be followed during a C-section

• undressing and putting on a hospital gown.
• positioning on an operating or exam table.
• A urinary catheter may be put in if it was not done before coming to the operating room.
• An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand.
• Hair around the surgical site may be shaved. The skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• Your abdomen (belly) will be draped with sterile material. A drape will also be placed above your chest to screen the surgical site.
• The anesthesiologist will continuously watch your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the procedure.
• Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your provider will make an incision above the pubic bone, either transverse or vertical. You may hear the sounds of an electrocautery machine that seals off bleeding.
• Deeper incisions through the tissues and separate the muscles until the uterine wall is reached. He or she will make a final incision in the uterus. This incision is also either horizontal or vertical.
• Your provider will open the amniotic sac, and deliver the baby through the opening. You may feel some pressure or a pulling sensation.
• He or she will cut the umbilical cord.
• You will get medicine to help the uterus contract and expel the placenta in your IV.
• Your provider will remove your placenta and examine the uterus for tears or pieces of placenta.
• He or she will use sutures to close the incision in the uterine muscle and reposition the uterus in the pelvic cavity.
• Your provider will close the muscle and tissue layers with sutures. He or she will close the skin incision with sutures or surgical staples.
• Finally, your provider will apply a sterile bandage.

What happens after a C-section in the Hospital

Nurses will watch your blood pressure, breathing, pulse, bleeding, and the firmness of your uterus in the recovery room. you can be with your baby while you are in the recovery area usually. Babies born by Cesarean will first need to be monitored in the nursery for a short time in some cases.  

Breastfeeding can start in the recovery area, just as with a vaginal delivery. You will be moved to your room for the rest of your hospital stay after an hour or 2 in the recovery area. You may get pain medicine as needed as the anesthesia wears off. 

This can be either from the nurse or through a device connected to your intravenous (IV) line called a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) pump. Pain medicine may be given through the epidural catheter until it is removed in some cases.

You may have gas pains as the intestinal tract starts working again after surgery. You will be encouraged to get out of bed. Moving around and walking helps ease gas pains. . You may feel some uterine contractions called after-pains for a few days. 

The uterus continues to contract and get smaller over several weeks. The urinary catheter is usually removed the day after surgery. You may be given liquids to drink a few hours after surgery. You can gradually add more solid foods as you can handle them.

 You may be given antibiotics in your IV while in the hospital and a prescription to keep taking the antibiotics at home.

what is C-section

Types of C-section

causes of C-section

Risks associated with  Cesarean birth

The process to be followed during a C-section

What happens after a C-section in the Hospital