Caesarean delivery (c-section)

Need to know

• What happens icon plus

  If your caesarean is planned before you go into labour, this is known as an elective caesarean. All non-planned caesareans are called emergency caesareans. Caesareans are usually carried out under a regional anaesthetic, such as an epidural. This means you’ll be awake but you'll have anaesthetic to numb the lower part of your body. A screen will be placed over your abdomen so you can’t see the operation. Your consultant will cut your lower abdomen and then your womb. Your baby will be delivered through the opening. The umbilical cord will be cut and clamped and the placenta removed. Your consultant will then stitch up your womb and abdomen.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Talk to your consultant obstetrician about the procedure and ask them to explain what happens. If you've planned to have an elective caesarean, your consultant will ask you not to eat for six to eight hours before the procedure. When you arrive for delivery, your doctor will do an ultrasound scan to check your baby’s position in the womb.

• Afterwards icon plus

  You’ll usually be able to leave the hospital three or four days after your baby is born. It usually takes longer to recover from a caesarean delivery than a vaginal delivery. Your consultant will let you know what to expect. If you plan to breastfeed your baby, you’ll usually be able to start a few hours after the delivery. The day after the operation, your consultant will encourage you to get up and start walking around. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.