Caesarean section
Surgical delivery is also called caesarean section. During a surgical delivery, the doctor makes an incision in the mother’s belly to take out the baby.
The most frequent reasons for a caesarean section are:
- The mother’s pelvis is too small for the baby to pass through;
- The placenta is in front of the entrance of the uterus (cervix) or the placenta is coming loose;
- Part of the umbilical cord has come out through the cervix;
- The head of the baby is not facing downwards;
- More than 1 baby needs to be born;
- The mother or child has an illness which makes natural delivery impossible.
Doctor performing a caesarian section.
Caesarean section: the operation
A planned caesarean section takes place as follows:
You are admitted to hospital in the morning. You usually need to fast (no food or drink) for at least 6 hours. You prepare for surgery. For instance: you put on a surgical gown, take off jewellery and remove your make-up.
The doctor will give you an epidural anaesthetic. This is an injection in the lower back. The injection can be given while you are sitting or lying.
Doctor giving a pregnant woman an epidural anaesthetic.
During delivery, your partner or another person of your choice can stay with you. The doctor makes an incision in your belly, just above the pubic hair. You do not feel any pain, but you can feel that you are being operated on.
The doctor takes out your baby. The entire operation takes up to 1 hour.
Then the umbilical cord is cut.
If you have an emergency caesarean section:
- You usually receive a general anaesthetic instead of an epidural (local) anaesthetic;
- Only your partner can accompany you after the anaesthetic has been administered.