Caesarean Birth
Preparing For Surgery
You would have discussed with Dr Alexander the date and time of the procedure. Dr Alexander will discuss with you any special preparations if needed depending on the course of your pregnancy. You will also be reminded to refrain from eating or drinking for eight before your surgery.
Checking Into The Hospital
Present to the Mater Mothers Hospital 5th floor reception desk the morning of your surgery, usually two hours before the operation time.
Once you’ve arrived at the hospital, you’ll check-in and be shown to your room, where you’ll change into a hospital gown. Once in your room you will be admitted and assessed by the midwife including physical assessment (which includes checking vital signs and reviewing your medical history), the hairline 3 cm above pubic bone might be shaved down.
The Operation
When the time comes, a nurse will bring you and your partner to the operating complex. You will meet with an anesthetist to discuss your options for anesthesia, and also meet the midwife, and Paediatrician.
Your partner is allowed to sit at your side during your operation, he will be given hospital scrubs to wear during your surgery. During the operation, your partner will be prohibited from videotaping, however, still, photos are allowed.
After an anesthetic is administered, you will lie down on an operating table and a catheter will be inserted to drain urine during your C-section and until you can attend to your own bathroom needs. Your doctor or attending nurse will then set up a curtain above your chest to separate you from your surgical team (giving you both some privacy during your operation). Your arms may be secured to keep you from accidentally reaching into the sterile surgical area. If you have regional anesthesia ( epidural or spinal ), the method generally preferred by doctors and hospitals, you’ll be awake during the operation. You won’t feel pain, but if you’ve had an epidural, you will probably feel pressure and pulling throughout the procedure. You should be able to talk to your partner and your doctor during the procedure.
Post-Op: Moments After Surgery
Once your baby is born, he or she will be examined by the paediatrician in the same operating room and that takes 5-10 minutes. The baby then is brought to your arms until the procedure is finished. You will then be moved to a post-op recovery room where you’ll be closely monitored, usually for the next one hours.
A lot of what you’ll experience is based on the type of anesthesia. Women who’ve had general anesthesia will feel more groggy and sleepy. While those who had a spinal or epidural may be experiencing “the shakes.”
This uncontrollable shivering is harmless and is caused by a combination of the birth process and the medications you received in your spinal or epidural. If you received morphine through your spinal or epidural towards the end of the surgery, you may also have an all-over itchy feeling—a common side effect. There are medicines which will help control the itching, should it become unbearable.
If all is going well, you’ll be moved to your hospital room.
You will still be closely monitored by nurses. Throughout your first day after delivery, you can expect checks of your vital signs, your incision, and your vaginal discharge. Your nurse will check the amount of urine you’re passing and will use a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds. Your nurse will also assess your pain and help with pain management.
You can have water after 4 hours, and if you feel well and not nauseous you will be allowed to have free fluids after 6 hours, and diet as tolerated the day after. The bladder catheter will stay for at least 12 hours, that is usually removed the second morning after the procedure and you will have what we call Trial Of Void. The nurse will measure the volume of urine that is left in the bladder after you urinate. That practice was put in place to ensure the proper functioning of the bladder after spinal or epidural anaesthesia.
Breastfeeding
If you had a Caesarean due to a complicated pregnancy or delivery, or if you or your newborn are ill, it may take longer to begin nursing, But if you and baby are both feeling well, you may have started nursing in the recovery room. Expect to need help with breastfeeding, especially at first. Your hospital’s lactation nurse can help you. Always remember that there are many techniques and many opinions, please do not get confused, you might need to try all and settle on one that suits best your baby and yourself.
On Your Feet: Day Two
You’ll probably be free of the catheter on your second day after delivery. And if you are feeling well enough, you’ll begin eating and drinking again.
Around this time, your nurse may also help you take those first post-op steps and will help you have a shower, you will also be visited by a physiotherapist who will teach you few bracing techniques, and exercises.
Dr Alexander will come to check on you the second day, discuss your concerns if any with him, the paediatrician will also come to check on the baby.
Pain control usually, oral medicine, is ordered for you by Dr Alexander and the Anaesthetist, some are given regularly and some as required. Take your pain relief, and keep on the top of it. Use the time that you spend in the hospital, obviously to recover but also to get to know your baby and gain confidence in preparation to discharge home.
You will be going home from the hospital on Day 5 if all is good. The first week or two you are home, don’t push yourself.
You can also ease your recovery by continuing to be gently active and remembering not to lift anything heavier than your newborn.
Having a pillow on hand can help tremendously during these days after surgery. Press it gently against your belly to help soften pain when walking or sneezing, and tuck it behind your back to help you feel more comfortable when sitting. Try to have sleep whenever you can, you and your partner should take “shifts”, when you feel tired frustrated and “nothing working” take a break and have a couple of hours sleep. With each day that goes by in the first two weeks, you typically feel a little better.”
Your Postpartum Checkup: Six To Eight Weeks Later
Most women will be on track by week 3-4, You’ll have your final postpartum checkup with Dr Alexander. Take that opportunity to discuss your concerns if any and clarify various issues as the need arises. Discussion regarding contraception and pap smear will also be done.
By six weeks, you should have stopped bleeding, pain-free and back to normal everyday life. You will have some numbness still typically above the scar as the superficial nerves that were cut will regenerate not before 6 months.
Emotional Rescue
It’s not uncommon for some women who deliver via Cesarean, especially the unplanned ones, to feel guilty about the procedure, but even those with planned operations. Discussing the issue with Dr Alexander and explaining the reasons for the unplanned emergency C-Sections tend to alleviate those feelings.
The most important thing that you should remember is that you and your baby are healthy.
Though planned Cesareans aren’t foolproof, it can be reassuring to know that, for the most part, you have the ability to prepare for one of the most exciting events in your life. Armed with knowledge, many mothers find that delivering via C-section is less stressful than they expected. With a good birth plan and open communication between your doctor and your birthing team, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the birth of your child.
