Obstetrics & Gynaecology Forum Volume 29 | Issue 2 | 2019

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET CAESAREAN SECTION O&G Forum 2019; 29: 30 - 32 PATIENT INFORMATION WHAT IS A CAESAREAN SECTION? ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES TO A CAESAREAN SECTION? WHY DO I NEED A CAESAREAN SECTION? WHAT COMPLICATIONS CAN HAPPEN? WHAT DOES THE OPERATION INVOLVE? A Caesarean section is a procedure to deliver a baby by a surgical operation. Your doctor (surgeon who specialises in childbirth) has recommended that you have your baby delivered by caesarean section. However, it is your decision to go ahead with the operation. This document will give you information about the benefits and risks to help you to make an informed decision. If you have any questions that this document does not answer, ask your obstetrician or the healthcare team. The alternatives are normal labour or induced labour (where medication is used to get labour started) followed by a vaginal delivery. If you are worried or have any questions about why a caesarean section has been recommended for you rather than a vaginal delivery, you should discuss this carefully with your obstetrician. The following are the more common reasons why a caesarean section may be recommended. • Your baby is positioned in a way other than head down such as breech (bottom or feet first) • Your baby is not growing properly or is distressed • The placenta is lying in front of your baby and either completely or partly over your cervix preventing a vaginal birth (placenta previa) • You have had a caesarean section before • You have a multiple pregnancy (for example twins) • You have a particular complication of pregnancy which makes a caesarean section more preferable than vaginal delivery • You have medical problems such as high blood pressure or diabete Your obstetrician will discuss with you why a caesarean section has been recommended for you. In your case a caesarean section is the safest method of delivery for both you and your baby. Sometimes a caesarean section is the only safe method of delivery, for example, if you have placenta previa. The healthcare team will try to make the operation as safe as possible but complications can happen. Some of these can be serious. You should ask your doctor if there is anything you do not understand. 1. Complications of anaesthesia Your anaesthetist will be able to discuss with you the possible complications of having anaesthetic 2. General complications of any operation • Pain – the healthcare team will give you medication to control the pain and it is important that you take it as you are told so you can move about as advised • Bleeding during or after the operation – on average, women Almost all caesarean sections are performed under regional anaesthesia (either a spinal or epidural anaesthetic). This means you will be awake so you can see your baby as soon as it is born but will not feel pain. Your anaesthetist will discuss the options with you and recommend the best form of anaesthesia for you. You may be given antibiotics just before your baby is born to reduce the risk of infection. The operation usually takes less than an hour. Your obstetrician will place a catheter (tube) in your bladder to help you to pass urine. This is usually removed the next morning. Your obstetrician will make a low horizontal cut on your “bikini” line or a vertical cut from your umbilicus to the pubic area. They will separate the muscles of your abdominal wall and open your uterus (womb). Your obstetrician will deliver your baby through the cut. After the delivery, they will repair your womb and abdomen. There is usually a short delay before you can be in “skin to skin” contact with your baby but there will be plenty of time for this. You will be able to breastfeed soon after the operation. OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY FORUM 2019 | ISSUE 2 | 31