The Miracle of C-section

Introduction

Caesarians definitely sound scarier than vaginal deliveries! But if you were to read about the miracle of C-section in detail, you would realize there is no safer way of delivering a baby than a C-section in case any complications arise! The incisions that are made to deliver the baby in the would-be mom’s uterus and abdomen will heal with no scars left eventually. The Miracle of a C-section ensures that your baby will be safe, and that is what matters the most. This article discusses the key aspects of the C-section and attempts to put some of the worried minds at ease!

It is necessary if!

Vaginal birth is the go-to method but not when there are complications. In this section, we are going to talk about some of these complications in detail. One of the most common reasons that force doctors to the C-section route is that the labor might not be progressing well at all. But there are other reasons apart from stalled labor as well! For example, a baby’s upset heartbeat can also be the reason that makes you consider delivery via C-section. Placental problems and mechanical obstructions are some of the other reasons for considering delivery through a C-section. A previous C-section can also dictate another C-section.

Preparation

Nothing too complicated there, don’t worry! When preparing for delivery through the C-section, major preparation involves having a talk with an anesthesiologist, and have some blood tests. When you are going for a planned C-section, things happen in a sequence, as if on their own. However, things can definitely haywire in case of an emergency. As far as the blood tests are concerned, these provide information about the level of hemoglobin in your blood. The number is crucial with regards to bleeding! So, it is best if you plan these things.

What can you expect during the procedure?

Is C-section really a crude surgical process? Read this section and decide it for yourself! The first step in C-section is the cleansing of your abdominal area. Then, a catheter is installed in your bladder. This is for urine collection. Also, IV lines are inserted into your arm veins for providing the required fluids and medicines via the IV route. The anaesthesia administered during a C-section is regional anaesthesia which effectively numbs only the lower region of the body.  You are awake during the C-section! But in emergency cases, the preferred option is general anesthesia. For more clarity, you can read about the difference between C-section and normal delivery.

What are the risks?

Of course, there are going to be risks! And not just to you, but we will talk about the baby a little later. In this section, we are going to talk about the risks that the mother faces during a C-section. Infection is one of the most common risks post Caesarean, which can be treated easily. But there are more complicated risks like Postpartum Haemorrhage, which refers to heavy bleeding during and post-C-section. Chances of blood clotting are higher, as are of the several wound infections. But the most significant risk in our opinion is the one that lies in the future. That is right, we are talking about the increased risk during your future pregnancies. Other than these, reactions to anesthesia are rare but cannot be ruled out either.

Risks to the baby

We have talked about the possible risks for the mother, now, we want to talk about the risks that the baby might face because of the C-section. These risks include breathing problems mostly. And the most common breathing problem that a baby might face because of the C-section is Tachypnea. It refers to a condition in which the baby’s heart beats a little too fast for some days post-birth. Things can get challenging, so you should be mentally prepared for this. Also, there is a risk of surgical injuries as well. But these are not of critical nature and involve minor nicks at max. You don’t have to worry about these too much! 

What to do once you are home?

The miracle is over, the baby is born. What are you, now a mother, supposed to do when you return home? Rest, duh! Take to the bed as you have never ever before, but this is advice that is valid for just a few days. Once your wounds heal to a great extent, you can start taking small steps and strolls. But nothing too is too straining that puts pressure on your abdominal muscles. To soothe the incision sores, you can opt for a heating pad. But experiment with this only after the advice of your doctor. Any tinkering or quacking can do more harm than good. Also, it is advisable to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least a couple of months since this reduces the chances of infection.

The Miracle of C-section, Consult the doc if!

You should be vigilant and on alert for any symptoms that might be causing you pain post your Caesarean. Consulting a doctor becomes crucial in case your incision is swelling in an uncontrolled manner. The same follows for any signs of infection that might become visible such as redness. Then, consulting the doc is not a bad idea if you are suffering from a high fever also. In a more complicated situation like bleeding, you will have to visit the gynecologist and seek the professional’s opinion once the bleeding site is examined in person. And it is always good to let your doc know if the pain is increasing instead of decreasing post a cesarean! 

Conclusion – The Miracle of C-section

Well, moms, we got to wrap up this article now. If you recently had a caesarian, follow the instructions about resting. If you are due for one soon, best of luck with that. The most important bit is not to worry too much about things. Things always go fine when you are optimistic and hopeful. And it is good for the baby if you can stay positive during and post-C-section! And on that optimistic note, we bid you farewell from this discussion. May everything go just as well as you are hoping for it!

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