Your C-Section Guide: What Expecting Parents Need to Know

A C-section birth is when your baby is delivered through surgical cuts in your belly and uterus instead of through the vagina. It is a common and safe method of delivery, often used when a vaginal birth may not be the safest option. 

Your doctor may recommend a Cesarean section if: 

• Labor is not progressing 
• Your baby is in distress 
• You're having multiple babies, especially if they are in hard-to-deliver positions 
• Your baby is very large 
• The baby is in a breech position 
• You have placenta issues like placenta previa or placental abruption 
• You have health conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease 
• You have an active genital herpes infection 
• You choose to have one after talking with your provider 

• A planned C-Section is one that is scheduled on a specified date in advance (typically during the 39th week of pregnancy, unless other medical conditions require earlier delivery) after you and your doctor have discussed the risks, benefits, and alternatives of C-Section 
• An unplanned C-section happens if concerns come up during labor 
• An emergency C-section is done quickly if the mom or baby is in danger 

Like other surgeries, C-sections do have risks. Risks include: 

• Infection 
• Bleeding, need for transfusion, and in very rare cases, hysterectomy and removal of the uterus if bleeding cannot be controlled and is life-threatening.   
• Development of blood clots in the legs, pelvic organs, or lungs 
• Injury to other organs, such as the bowel or bladder 
• Allergic reactions to medications or anesthesia 
• Impact on future pregnancy, including risk of placenta problems, rupture of the uterus, and hysterectomy 

Because of these risks, Cesarean section is usually recommended only when the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks.

Before the procedure: 

1. You will have an intravenous line IV placed in a vein in your arm or hand. This allows you to get fluids and medication that are required before surgery. You will also get medication to prevent infection. 

2. Your belly will be washed, and pubic hair may be clipped or trimmed 

3. A catheter or tube is placed in your urethra to drain your bladder. Keeping the bladder empty helps prevent bladder injury. 

4. You will have compression devices that will massage your legs and help prevent blood clots 

5. Anesthesia is given, usually a spinal or epidural, so you’re awake 

6. During the C-section: 

7. A cut is made through the skin and the wall of the abdomen, typically a side-to-side, aka “bikini cut.”  

8. The muscles in your abdomen are separated and typically do not need to be cut.  

9. Another cut is made in the wall of the uterus. The baby is delivered through the incision.  

10. The umbilical cord is cut, and the placenta is removed from the uterus.  

11. The layers will be closed with a dissolvable suture. The skin will be closed either with suture (typically dissolvable), staples, surgical glue, or a combination. Staples and certain types of stitches must be removed a few days after the procedure. Most closures are absorbed by the body and do not have to be removed.  

Yes, in most cases, you’ll be awake with regional (spinal or epidural) anesthesia. General anesthesia is only used when absolutely necessary. 

If you’re awake, you may be able to hold your baby soon after birth. In the recovery room, we’ll check your vital signs, and you can usually begin breastfeeding if you choose.

Most parents stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days. It usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks to heal fully. You may feel pain, cramping, and numbness near the cut. 

• Avoid driving for two weeks 
• You can lift your baby 
• You can climb stairs slowly, but avoid lifting anything heavy 

C-section recovery can hurt more in the beginning, but pain medicine and guidance will help you feel better day by day.

Yes, many people can safely have a VBAC, or vaginal birth after Cesarean. It used to be said that once a C-section, always a C-section; however, there are benefits to VBAC, such as avoiding the risks of C-section and decreased recovery time. There are risks to trial of labor after Cesarean (TOLAC), so careful consideration of your individual history is important. The decision to have to a TOLAC is based on several factors. Your OB/GYN will look at: 

• The type of incision from your last C-section 
• How many births you’ve had 
• Any current risks to you or your baby 

There’s no exact number, but multiple Cesarean deliveries can raise risks: 

• Placenta problems 
• Uterine rupture 
• Scar tissue that affects nearby organs 
• Need for a blood transfusion or hysterectomy 

Always work closely with your OB/GYN to plan what’s safest.