Some possible reasons for doing caesarean sections:
1. Breech: A baby lying with its bottom closest to the mother’s pelvis
2. Face presentation: The face of the baby attempts to enter the pelvis first
3. Brow presentation: The brow presents at the pelvic brim
4. Transverse: A shoulder presentation or transverse lie occurs when the shoulder of the baby is jammed in the pelvis
5. Placenta Previa: The placenta lies very low or cover the cervix and prevent the baby from being delivered normally
6. PIH: Hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy
7. Gestational diabetes: Diabetes in pregnancy
8. Pre maturity
9. Multiples
10. Placenta abruption: Part of or the entire placenta tear loose from the uterus
11. Cephalic pelvic disproportion: Baby is too begin comparison to the mother's pelvic opening
12. Foetal distress
13. Unforeseen emergencies
Hospital admission:
When and if caesarean birth becomes part of the birth plan, we may feel afraid, confused or many other emotional responses. Along with joy at the imminent arrival of baby there may be disappointment and fear.
The process:
1. Mom will be admitted and prepared for theatre in the ward
2. A porter will fetch you from the ward
3. You will be wheeled to the theatre in your hospital bed
4. At theatre you will be handed over to the theatre staff and they will show your partner where to change
5. After waiting for a short while in the theatre reception area, you will be wheeled into theatre. Your partner can stay with you at all times
6. In theatre the anaesthetist will start a drip
7. Spinal block done by Anaesthetist in theatre
This is when local anaesthetic is injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. It is administered in the same way as an epidural but no tube remains in the back and it takes effect very quickly. The blocking of sensation is heavier.
8. Doctor or sister will insert a urinary catheter
9. The scrub sister will then start to clean your abdomen and apply sterile drapes
10. Keep one hand on your chest in order to be able to touch and hold your baby after the delivery
11. Remember that there will be at least 7 people in the theatre helping with the delivery. This is normal
12. Do not touch the sterile theatre drapes, keep hands under the drapes. Advice your partner to do the same.
13. Your gynaecologist will now deliver the baby
14. The sister from labour ward will receive the baby and after the Paed has checked that baby is ok will allow you to hold the baby
15. Later the baby will receive a Konakion (vit K) injection. The identification bands will be applied on both legs and 1 by the umbilical cord clamp; baby will be dressed and then handed back to you or your partner to admire.
16. If there are any concerns about baby, the Paed will discuss it with you and may need to take the baby to the Neonatal unit if there are complications.
17. When the doctor is finished with the operation, you will be moved back onto the ward bed and wheeled to the recovery room with your baby tucked in bed with you. Sometimes they try to latch baby on your breast in recovery room at assist breastfeeding.
18. After checking that all is well with mom, they will phone the ward to fetch you and baby
19. You and baby will be wheeled back to the ward in the same bed
The procedure takes +- 11/2 hours from the time that you leave the ward until the time that you and baby are back in the ward again
20. You can now have something to drink. You will be on a clear fluid diet at first to make sure your bowls are working and then soft diet as prescribed by Doctor
21. In the ward the nursing staff and your partner will take the baby to the nursery for admission and to check the weight and blood glucose
22. As soon as the baby is admitted (10-15 minutes later) the staff from the nursery will bring the baby back and help you to breastfeed
23. We encourage rooming in so baby can now stay in your room with you if you prefer.
24. The drip and catheter will normally be removed early the next morning and then you can get up with assistance and have a shower.
25. It’s important to walk around little bits at a time
26. Pain management post-op will be explained on admission. Please take pain medication 6 hourly as prescribed by doctor.