Planned caesarean section

A caesarean section is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb.

The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line.

A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it’s usually only done if it’s the safest option for you and your baby.

It can be a planned / elective or emergency caesarean.

Around 1 in 4 pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean birth.

A caesarean may be recommended as a planned (elective) procedure or done in an emergency if it’s thought a vaginal birth is too risky.

Planned caesareans are usually done from the 39^th week of pregnancy.

A caesarean may be carried out for numerous reasons including worries with yours or baby’s observations during labour, your baby is breech (bottom down), certain infections, or if your placenta is low lying.

You will see a doctor at the hospital by 36 weeks of pregnancy and they will go through a consent form, including risks and benefits, and book your caesarean section date. They will give you a prescription for some medication to take prior to your section.

We will offer a pre assessment appointment prior to your caesarean section, where a midwife from the theatre team will speak to you and go through a checklist. They will explain where to go on the day of your birth. You can talk to them about your birth plan and any preferences.

Recovering from a caesarean usually takes longer than recovering from a vaginal delivery.

The average stay in hospital after a caesarean is around 1-3 days.

You may experience some discomfort for the first few days. You’ll be offered painkillers to help with this.

When you go home, you’ll need to take things easy at first. You may need to avoid some activities, such as driving, until you have had your postnatal check‑up with the doctor at 6 weeks.

The wound in your tummy will eventually form a scar. It is important you keep this area clean and dry and if you have any concerns speak to your midwife.

You have lots of decisions to make during pregnancy, in labour and when you have had your baby. In order to make informed decisions about your care you can use a decision making tool like the BRAIN tool.

B Benefits. What are the benefits?

R Risks. What are the risks and considerations?

A Alternatives. What are the alternatives, and what are the risks and benefits of those?

I Intuition / information. How do you feel? Do you need more information?

N Nothing / not now. Do I need to decide now? What if I do nothing?

Most women experience some discomfort for the first few days after a caesarean, and for some women the pain can last several weeks.

• gently clean and dry the wound every day
• wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear
• take a painkiller if the wound is sore – for most women, it’s better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen (but not aspirin) while you’re breastfeeding

Non-dissolvable stitches or staples will usually be taken out by your midwife after 5 to 7 days.

The wound in your tummy will eventually form a scar.

This will usually be a horizontal scar about 10 to 20cm long, just below your bikini line.

Contact your midwife or a GP straight away if you have any of the following symptoms after a caesarean:

• severe pain
• leaking urine
• pain when passing urine
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• your wound becomes more red, painful and swollen
• a discharge of pus or foul-smelling fluid from your wound
• a cough or shortness of breath
• swelling or pain in your lower leg

These symptoms may be the sign of an infection or blood clot, which should be treated as soon as possible.