Caesarean Section
The Team
The medical team involved in the surgery, are:
The MidwifeProviding support and assistance to both mother and Obstetrician throughout
The anaesthetist
Who will be providing freezing during the surgery.The obstetrician
Who will be performing your C-section.
The surgical assistant
Who is a fellow, resident, or another doctor.
The nursing team
Who will assist with the surgery.
The respiratory therapist
Who will monitor the baby immediately after delivery.
Preparation
Once the spinal or epidural is working the abdomen will be cleaned with a special cleaning solution.
A small tube (Foley catheter) will be placed inside your bladder to keep it empty for the procedure. This is usually left in until after the surgery.
Mums body will be covered by a sterile sheet to protect you during the surgery.
The team will test mums skin to make sure it's numb.
At this point mum's support person will join you in the operating room.
Delivery
A bikini skin incision is made on the lower abdomen.
The muscles are separated (not cut) to access the uterus.
An incision is made in the lower uterus.
At this point, mum will feel pressure while the doctors press on your abdomen to deliver your baby.
At this point, if the baby is crying, the team may proceed with delayed cord clamping.
Generally, baby will be in the room with mum the whole time.
The baby can be on the warmer, held by your support person, or held on your chest by your support person during the remainder of the surgery.
After the Delivery
After the baby is delivered the placenta is removed.
Then the uterus and the layers of the abdomen are closed.
Usually the skin is closed with a stitch that will slowly dissolve so that you do not have to have the stitches removed. Other options may include a dissolvable glue or staples which require removal.
Sometimes tapes called steri-stips will be placed over the incision and these should be removed 7 days after surgery.
The incision is then covered with a bandage.
Caesarean Section During Labour
Conditions that may develop during labour that might put either mother or baby at risk eg: severe infection of the uterus
Baby is Struggling With Labour
ie: drop in heart-rate
Labour Stops progressing
Either the cervix does not fully open
despite contractions or the baby stops moving down the pelvis
Cord Prolapse
Where a portion of the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and is at the front of the baby's head, which can limit blood supply to the baby
Planned C-Sections
Previous Caesarean Sections
Breech
Placenta Previa
Previous surgeries
Fibroid Block
Indication - Maternal Choice
Multiple pregnancy
