Caesarean section
medication. It takes about four to six weeks to recover from a C-section. Risk factors include: • Heavy blood loss (may result in maternal death) • Infection and blood clots • Nausea, vomiting and headache (related to anaesthesia) • Bowl problems • Possible injury to other organs • Risk of injury to the baby • Baby may have lung and breathing problems/go to neonatal ICU • Infertility and placenta abnormality problems in future pregnancies • Strong likelihood of a C-section in subsequent pregnancies
your baby will need to spend a few hours in an incubator.
A C-section is medical procedure where your baby is born through an incision made in your abdomen. Your doctor may suggest a C-section if he/she believes that you or your baby could be at risk if baby is delivered normally. An elective C-section is one where the mother decides to have the procedure but there is no medical reason for doing so. C-sections cost around 50% more than normal birth, so check with your medical aid on the rules of the scheme in terms of elective C-sections. General anaesthesia may be used in an emergency situation, but in most instances you are given a spinal block and/or epidural and are awake when your baby is delivered. An emergency C-section may be performed if you experience any complications during normal birth. A paediatrician is present in theatre to check the baby directly after the birth. After a C-section birth,
Medical reasons for having a C-section • The doctor considers a vaginal delivery a risk to mother or baby. • Mother is monitored during a long labour and the foetus shows signs of distress. • The baby is bridge position (buttocks down). • The mother has placenta praevia – placenta is very close to or is covering the cervix. • Cord prolapse – the cord pushes through the cervix into the vagina The World Health Organisation says C-sections should only be performed when medically necessary. While a C-section is considered safe, it is major abdominal surgery. Your stay in hospital will be between three and five days. You will have pain at the incision site and will require pain Risks and complications of a C-section
Resources 1.
www.who.org
2. 3. 4. 5.
www.webmb.com
www.mayoclinic.org www.healthline.com www.medicalbrief.co.za
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