In the Operating Room
• Many people (the medical team) and your
husband will be there since the surgery is a team
effort.
• The incision area will be wiped clean
with an antiseptic. You will be placed on the
operating table which will be tilted to the left
or a pillow will be placed under your right lower
back to keep the pressure of your womb and the
baby off key arteries and thereby prevent your
BP level from dropping. A sheet will be formed
into a tent like structure to serve as a shield
so that your view is blocked.
• Once the procedure begins, the birth happens
very fast, over in 10 minutes or less. The incision
with bikini cut being the most popular, is a horizontal
incision just above your pubic hairline. In some
emergencies a vertical or classical incision may
be made under the belly button.
• During the operation you should not feel
any sharp pain; if you do inform your anesthesiologist
immediately. An occasional tug, push or pull is
normal.
• Once the cut has been made through all
the layers to reach the uterus, the amniotic sac
will be punctured. Your baby will be lifted out
of the pelvis and through the incision at which
point you may feel a strong tug if awake. The
cord will be clamped and your baby will be shown
to you briefly and then taken away for evaluation.
• The rest of the procedure will take about
30-40 minutes. This involves the delivery of the
placenta, positioning back your organs and to
repair the layers of incision. After the placenta
is removed, you may feel the pulling and pushing
of tissues and organs; your intestines, bladder
and uterus will be put back into proper place
and the layers of abdominal tissues will be sewed
closed in two layers. The internal stitches will
dissolve on its own while staples may be used
to seal the outer incision which can be removed
painlessly later.
• You will be sent to a recovery room after
the surgery where you will be monitored for postoperative
complications, postpartum bleeding and pain.
Recovery
from Cesarean
• Post surgery, your vital signs will be
monitored closely every 15 minutes until you have
stabilized. In the recovery room your blood pressure,
temperature, pulse and respiratory rate will be
observed. Abdominal bleeding will be checked so
will your sanitary pad for vaginal bleeding. The
urinary catheter will also be monitored to check
your urine level.
• You and your partner can use this space
and time to spend some minutes alone with your
newborn. You can begin breastfeeding if you feel
up to it.
• You will be moved to a room in the maternity
ward after a couple of hours. Your nurse will
be monitoring you over the next 24 hours. Your
vital signs, incision, uterus and lochia will
be periodically checked.
• You will be medicated for pain when the
anesthesia wears off – these can be given through
the IV or injection.
• If the surgery was done early in the day
you will be encouraged to move around on the same
day. Typically you will be encouraged to walk
briefly about 8 hours after the op because walking
is vital to your recovery.
• The urinary catheter is usually removed
within 12 hours of surgery. If there is no excessive
bleeding or fever, the IV line is usually removed
the day following surgery. You can take a shower
on the day after the surgery.
• You will be allowed sips of water or ice
chips for the first 12 hours following the surgery;
you will probably receive fluids intravenously.
Following this you will be put on a liquid diet
and can start on a regular diet a day after surgery.
• Discharge can be as early as the third
day after the operation. Since anemia is very
likely you will be treated with oral iron tablets.