C-Section

The obstetrician uses a knife to make a small horizontal incision in the abdominal wall, especially along the bikini line so that it is low enough on the pelvis that it can be covered by underwear or bikini bottom. Some women might get a vertical cut. 

After the abdomen is slightly opened, a small incision is made in the uterus. Generally, a side-to-side cut is made that bursts the amniotic sac around the baby. When this protective membrane is slightly ruptured, the baby is then removed from your uterus and the umbilical cord is cut to remove the placenta. The baby is then examined and given to the mother.

Postoperative Complications and Risks-

• Infection 
• Inflammation of the uterus
• Bleeding
• Surgical injury to the bladder and the intestines
• Amniotic fluid embolism (in which amniotic fluid/fetal material enters into the maternal bloodstream)
• Risk to future pregnancies

Benefits-

For women who haven’t had a c-section earlier, a planned c-section may reduce the risk of:

• pain during and after birth
• injury to the vagina
• the womb, bowel, vagina, or bladder pushing against the vaginal wall (pelvic organ prolapse)
• severe bleeding after the birth
• partial loss of bladder control

After a C-section, women might spend between 2-4 days in the hospital, however, it might take her up to six weeks to feel like herself again. Her abdomen would feel slightly sore after the surgery and the skin, as well as nerves in the area, would need more time to heal. Women would be given pain medications to take the overall edge off post-surgical pain. Most women generally use these medications for around two weeks afterward.

A woman might also experience bleeding for around 4-6 weeks after a surgical birth. She is also advised to avoid sex for some weeks after the C-section and refrain from strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects.