Caesarean Sections - What You Should Know
A C-section may be something that is planned for medical reasons, for example if your baby is breech or if you have had two or more sections previously. It may be something that needs to be done when natural labour doesn’t go as planned.
General Anaesthetic
If you are given a general anaesthetic, you may be asleep for the procedure but it is rare that this step is required in the C-section process.
What Will Happen
● There will be a team of people in the theatre to look after you.
● Your blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen levels will be monitored.
● You will be put on a drip prior to anaesthetic being administered.
● An epidural will be administered as well as a urinary catheter.
● You will be on your back, slightly tilted to the left.
● Mention any feeling of un-wellness to the anaesthetist who can administer treatment to help you.
● A screen will be put up to separate you and your partner from the site of the section.
● Your abdomen will be washed and sterilised.
● As the operation is underway, you will be kept up to date by the theatre team.
● Immediately after your baby is born, skin to skin contact begins.
● It takes another half an hour for the operation to be finished, and if you feel ill your birthing partner can do the vital skin-to-skin with your new baby.
Useful Link
Theraline C-Section Belt - The Theraline C-Section Belt is designed to protect, support and soothe in the weeks after a caesarean
Back to Labour and Birth Category