Caesarean section is either an emergency or elective operation.
An emergency Caesarean section is done when there is an urgent complication in pregnancy or labour which significantly compromises your or your baby's well being (or both). This implies that continuing the pregnancy or labour for a significant time will be very dangerous. How quickly the Caesarean needs to be done will vary from extremely urgent (viz immediately) to within the next few hours.
An elective Caesarean section is a pregnancy planned event. The reason could be previous pregnancy or labour problems, maternal health issues, complications in this pregnancy and sometimes personal patient request. Some women prefer to have a Caesarean section rather than a vaginal birth. An elective Caesarean section is booked on a date close to term but before the onset of labour. In these situations it is safer to avoid labour. If you are booked for an elective Caesarean section and you go into labour before the scheduled date please advise the hospital and attend immediately. I (Dr Sykes) will do your Caesarean section as soon as possible after you arrive at the hospital.
Theatre Procedures
Before you arrive in the operating theatre.
In Labour Ward / Birth Unit (if emergency) or on the antenatal / postnatal ward (if elective) you will be given a pubic shave (if needed) and a Sodium Citrate drink (to neutralise acids in your stomach in case a general anaesthetic is needed). You should be fasting for six hours at least before a Caesarean section. Sometimes this is not possible with an emergency Caesarean section. You will also need to sign a hospital consent form for a Caesarean section. If elective this will have been done in my office. Please remember to bring your completed consent form to hospital with you. Blood is usually collected for a grouping and holding (in the unlikely chance you will need an urgent blood transfusion).
You will be taken to an area in the theatre complex but outside the actual operating theatre on a trolley (with your midwife escorting if emergency). When you arrive at the theatre complex your personal details will be checked and you will have a consultation with the anaesthetist (if this has not already happened).
In the operating theatre.
An intravenous line will be set up then the anaesthetic commenced. Most anaesthetists prefer a spinal or epidural or combined regional anaesthetic as it is considered safer than a general anaesthetic, you can see you baby immediately after birth and your husband can be with you. If you have an epidural in-situ this will usually be used instead.
Once the anaesthetic is working you will be catheterised, your abdomen cleaned with antiseptic solution and sterile drapes placed over you. Dr Sykes will do the operation. After delivery of your baby he will show your baby to you and then give your baby to the attending midwife.
Husband/partner in theatre.
Your husband/partner is encouraged to be with you for support in operating theatre. This is another reason for a regional anaesthetic. Make sure he brings the camera so you can get lots of baby photos of your baby being born and afterwards.
After your Caesarean section.
The midwife, your husband and baby will return to the maternity section toward the end of the operation. You will go to recovery ward for the minimum time possible and then to maternity to join your baby and husband. A rectal suppository will usually be given at the end of the operation for pain relief. These will be offered to you twice a day, but soon you will only need oral analgesia.
"Baby friendly" Caesarean section.
At the San you can request a
"baby friendly" Caesarean section if it is an elective procedure. That
means that the your baby, your husband and the midwife all stay with you
in recovery and so you are not separated from your baby after birth.
Please advise me when he is booking your Caesarean section if a
"baby friendly" Caesarean section is your preference.
The next day
The catheter and intravenous line are usually removed the day after. You are encouraged to be as ambulatory as you can as soon as possible the day after your Caesarean section.