Cesarean Procedure

If this is a planned procedure, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Many women are given a spinal anesthetic rather than general anesthetic for this procedure. A mother is awake with a spinal and will not suffer from nausea as she might from a general anesthetic after surgery. Additionally, Mom can hold her baby after it is delivered and Dad can be in the room for the birth. You will be given an I.V. for the surgery and a Foley bladder catheter will be placed in your urethra and bladder. This will drain your bladder so it won’t get in the way of the surgeon. Your pubic area may or may not be shaved for this, depending on your doctor’s preference. You won’t have to watch the operation because a screen will be placed in front of you. Anesthetic will be rubbed on your belly. If you are allergic to latex or iodine, notify your doctor well in advance to the surgery.

ou will have a hip roll placed under your right hip. This will tilt you slightly to the left so the uterus will not rest on your vena cava, which can restrict the blood flow to your baby. You will have drapes placed around you and the surgeons will move to either side of you so they can begin the surgery. You may hear the physician ask the anesthesiologist, “Is Allis home?” A strange question to hear just before your baby is delivered! This is a way for your doctor to ask if you are pain free and completely anesthetized. It refers to an Allis Clamp that is used to pinch the patient as a test to see if they feel any pain. If you are ready, the anesthesiologist will reply, “Allis is home.” This means you did not respond to the clamp and cannot feel any pain.

The doctor will cut a small incision horizontally across your bikini line. Several layers of tissue will be cut, ending with the uterus, which will be an incision about 8 to 10 inches across. You will not feel pain, but rather pulling and tugging sensations. Your amniotic fluid will be suctioned and your baby will be lifted out. The umbilical cord will be cut and your baby’s nose and mouth will be suctioned. Your baby will be warmed and watched carefully. In a vaginal delivery, fluid is naturally squeezed out of your baby’s lungs. With a c-section, your baby will probably need a little more attention – he may need some oxygen or she may have her back rubbed to help expel the fluid.

The doctor will take out the placenta, and the anesthesiologist will administer Pitocin to contract the uterus, reducing bleeding. You will receive an antibiotic to decrease your chance of infection. Your incision will be sewn, sometimes with a second layer which may help to prevent a rupture of your uterus in the future. Any additional bleeding will be cauterized, and your uterine area may be irrigated with sterile water. All the layers will be closed with either sutures or staples.

Surprisingly, your baby will be delivered within the first five to ten minutes. The total time of your surgery will be about 40 minutes. Now it is time for your recovery from your cesarean procedure.

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