A caesarean section is an operation to deliver a baby and involves making a cut through the woman’s abdomen and into the womb. A planned caesarean section may be recommended if a vaginal birth is considered too risky for the woman during the course of her pregnancy.
A planned caesarean section may be carried out if:
A sample of your blood will be taken to check for anaemia, blood type and antibodies few days before your scheduled caesarean section. You will be contacted by a hospital staff on the working day before your delivery date regarding the details of your caesarean delivery. You will usually be admitted on the morning of your operation and should be fasted at least six hours before the surgery. You are encouraged to have a shower or a bath at home before leaving for the hospital. Do not wear nail varnish or jewellery to the hospital.
On the day of your admission, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown prior to going into the operating theatre. Your husband / partner will be shown to a waiting area next door to the theatre. You will be seen by the anaesthetist who will discuss all options for anaesthesia with you. The medical team will then prepare you for the procedure.
If you had regional anaesthesia (epidural or spinal) for your delivery, you will be able to experience skin-to-skin contact with your baby. A healthy baby may be placed on your chest with supervision by a midwife shortly after the delivery.
Following your caesarean section, you will be transferred to a recovery area. Your baby will be shown to your husband/accompanying person and transferred to the observation room within the ward. Once you have recovered from anaesthesia, you will be transferred to the postnatal ward. Your baby will join you in the postnatal ward once his/her condition is stable.
If you and your baby are medically fit, both of you will be discharged about two to three days after your caesarean section.
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