A cesarean section is a common surgical procedure performed on pregnant women who cannot safely give birth the natural way. These can be planned in advance or become necessary due to complications during labor.
If the baby has a fetal illness, an abnormality, a large fetus, or is in non-vertex fetal position, a cesarean section may be required. Other complications that could necessitate a cesarean section include displaced placenta, mother or child distress, halted labor, non-dilated cervix, compressed umbilical cord, and oxygen cutoff to the baby.
The procedure involves making a horizontal incision in the lower abdomen through which the baby is lifted out. The umbilical cord is cut and the fetal membranes are removed. The surgeon will then stitch the uterus and abdominal wall closed. In most cases, Dr. Ayalon will use spinal anesthesia, which will cause the patient to not feel any pain. If the situation is an emergency, general anesthesia may be used.
Those that have received a cesarean section usually need to spend additional time in the hospital to recover. It’s important to stay active, but lifting should be kept to a minimum.