Can i have cesarean section

A scheduled surgery for nonmedical reasons is called an elective cesarean delivery, and your doctor may allow this option. Some women prefer to deliver by surgery because it gives them more control in deciding when their baby is born.

It can also reduce some anxiety of waiting for labor to start. There are pros to a scheduled cesarean delivery, but there are also cons. Some health insurance plans also will not cover elective cesarean deliveries.

A cesarean delivery might be scheduled by your doctor in advance of your due date. Or it may become necessary during labor because of an emergency. It happens when a new mom is in labor for 20 hours or more. Babies that are too large for the birth canal, slow cervical thinning, and carrying multiples can all prolong labor. In these cases, doctors consider a cesarean to avoid complications.

In order to have a successful vaginal birth, babies should be positioned headfirst near the birth canal. But babies sometimes flip the script. They can position their feet or butt toward the canal, known as a breech birth, or position their shoulder or side first, known as a transverse birth.

A cesarean may be the safest way to deliver in these cases, especially for women carrying multiple babies. Your doctor may choose to deliver via emergency cesarean if your baby is not getting enough oxygen. To reduce delivery complications, doctors will choose to deliver babies diagnosed with certain birth defects, like excess fluid in the brain or congenital heart diseases, through a cesarean to reduce delivery complications.

This is known as vaginal birth after cesarean VBAC. Moms-to-be should talk with their physician to decide whether a VBAC or repeat cesarean is the best and safest option. Women may deliver via cesarean if they live with certain chronic health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes. You should be able to see your baby once you are awake. You will be encouraged to breastfeed. The earlier you start to breastfeed, the easier it is likely to be for both you and your baby.

Having a caesarean section can make breastfeeding harder to start, so ask for all the support you need. Breastfeeding is the best possible food to help your baby grow healthy and strong, and the midwives are there to help you.

Some hospitals encourage women to breastfeed their baby in the recovery room if there is a midwife to assist. Tell your midwife or doctor when you are feeling pain so they can give you something to ease it. Pain-relieving medication may make you a little drowsy.

You may have a drip for the first 24 hours or so, until you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You can start to drink after any nausea has passed. The midwife or doctor will tell you when you can eat again. Your catheter will stay in until the anaesthetic has worn off and you have normal sensation in your legs to walk safely to the toilet.

This may not be until the next day. Walking around can help with recovery. It can also stop blood clots and swelling in your legs. A midwife will help you the first time you get out of bed.

You may also have an injection to stop blood clots. You may need antibiotics after the operation. You may have trouble with bowel movements for a short time after the operation.

It should help to drink plenty of water and eat high-fibre food. The doctor or midwife can give you more advice. When your dressing is taken off, you will be instructed to keep the wound clean and dry. This will help it to heal faster and reduce the risk of infection. Special care for your baby after a caesarean section After a caesarean, your baby is more likely to have breathing problems and be admitted to the special care nursery for a period of time although they are usually ready to go home when you are.

Risks and complications of a caesarean section In Australia, a caesarean section is a common and relatively safe surgical procedure, but it is still major surgery. Some of the more common risks and complications include: above-average blood loss blood clots in the legs infection in the lining of the uterus a longer stay in hospital three to five days, or 72 to hours, on average pain around the wound you will be given pain relief problems with future attempts at vaginal birth a need for a caesarean section for future births complications from the anaesthetic.

First six weeks after a caesarean section After a caesarean section, women usually stay in hospital for about three to five days. Tips to help with recovery in the first six weeks include: Get as much rest as you can. Ask family or friends to help, or organise paid help if you can afford it. One way that family and friends can help is by preparing meals that can be frozen and heated up — this is more useful than giving flowers.

If you feel you need extra support at home, talk with the doctor or midwife, or maternal and child health nurse. Do not lift any weight that is heavier than your baby. Take a gentle walk every day. This can have physical and emotional health benefits. Do your pelvic floor exercises. Regardless of the type of birth you have had, your lower abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles will have weakened after pregnancy, and need strengthening. Eat a healthy, high-fibre diet and drink plenty of water.

Do this every day to avoid constipation. Use warmth on your wound. Warmth can have a soothing effect. Try a wheat bag or hot water bottle. If you are breastfeeding, check that any medication you are using is safe for your baby too.

Keep your wound clean and dry. Look for signs of infection such as redness, pain, swelling of the wound or bad-smelling discharge. Report these to your doctor or midwife. While some women like loose clothing, many prefer firm, high-waisted compression underwear or control briefs to offer abdominal support.

This can reduce pain and be worn for comfort for the first six weeks. Avoid sex until you feel comfortable. It is quite normal to for it to take weeks, even months, before you are ready to have sex.

Numbness or itching around the scar is normal. This can last a long time for some women. Talking with other mums who have had a similar experience to you can be very helpful. Long-term health outlook after a caesarean section It is unlikely that you will have the same problem again with future pregnancies or births.

Vaginal birth after caesarean section Many women who have previously had a caesarean section can safely give birth vaginally. The benefits of VBAC are: lower risk of developing complications than with repeat elective caesarean section avoiding other risks associated with surgical procedures such as infections, deep vein thrombosis, increased blood loss faster recovery generally less risk for the baby for example, there is a decreased risk of your baby being admitted to a special care nursery for respiratory problems.

More information here. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. Your due date is 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period LMP. If you deliver on your due date, your baby is actually only about 38 weeks old — that's because your egg didn't become fertilized until about 2 weeks after the start of your last menstrual period. Women who have irregular periods or first-trimester bleeding might be mistaken about when their last menstrual period was. An ultrasound can help to narrow it down, but the estimated date of conception could still be off by a couple of weeks.

Babies born late pre-term are generally healthy but may have temporary problems such as jaundice , trouble feeding, problems with breathing, or trouble keeping an even body temperature. You might be impatient to meet your little one, but vaginal delivery usually carries fewer risks than a C-section.