C-Section: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

A C-section, also called cesarean section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the uterus and abdomen. A C-section is only recommended in necessary cases like in some high-risk pregnancies and when the baby is in a critical position and cannot be flipped before labor starts.

An emergency C-section is a cesarean that happens right away as there is an immediate risk to the health or of your baby. Most C-sections are done with general anesthesia, which numbs only the lower part of the body, an emergency section would require general anesthesia that means you will be fully unconscious.

During labor or delivery, the doctor may decide that you need to have a C-section. This could be a sudden change if the health or your baby’s health is affected and it’s very risky for you to go for a vaginal birth. Even if you do not think you will have a C-section, it is smart to learn what it involves. Around 30 percent of all babies in the United States are born through C-sections, so it is fairly common. C-sections are quite safe for mothers as well as babies. But it is major surgery, so one should not take it lightly.

If you know before that the baby will be born via C-section, you will know the date and likely will not even go into labor. Before the procedure, you will get an IV so that you receive medicines and fluids. You will also have a catheter put into the place to keep the bladder empty during the surgery.

Most of the women who have C-sections get local anesthesia, either epidural or spinal block. This would numb you from the waist, so you will not feel pain. This type of anesthesia will let you be awake and aware of what is going on. The doctor might also offer you general anesthesia, which would put you to sleep, but it is unlikely for most of the planned C-sections.