Cesarean Births: What To Know Before Labor Begins!
Let’s start this off with making this super clear: Cesarean births are not the easy way to give birth by any means! There’s not a way to “easily” give birth. Even more important to understand, you are not a failure!
Are there things you can do to lower your risk? Absolutely! But sometimes, you can do everything right and you have to change your mindset from:
“What did I do wrong?” to “I’m grateful there’s an option to keep my baby and I safe.”
A lot of women struggle with self-blaming and if you end up struggling I would definitely encourage you to seek counseling or a trusted person, to help you process and heal!
In this post I want to break down what to know about Cesareans, steps to take to prevent 1 and how to heal emotionally and physically should a cesarean be necessary!
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Types of Cesareans:
C-sections happen for a variety of reasons and there are 3 Types of Cesarean births!.
- Emergency C-section:
- True emergency c-section are performed when there is an immediate threat to you and/or your baby.
- Reasons may include fetal distress, placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, or maternal complications like severe preeclampsia/eclampsia or uterine rupture.
- This type of cesarean section is performed without delay to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.
- 5% of cesareans are true emergencies.
- Planned C-section:
- Scheduled in advance, typically before the onset of labor, based on medical or personal reasons.
- Medical reasons for an elective C-section may include placenta previa (placenta covering the cervix), breech presentation (baby positioned feet or buttocks first), multiple gestation (twins, triplets), or previous cesarean deliveries.
- Personal reasons for choosing an elective C-section may include maternal request, fear of labor or vaginal birth, or previous traumatic birth experiences.
- Unplanned Non-Emergent Cesarean Section:
- The most common!
- An unplanned non-emergent cesarean section falls between an elective and an emergent C-section. It is not scheduled in advance but is not performed as an emergency due to immediate life-threatening conditions.
- Reasons for an unplanned non-emergent C-section may include labor complications such as ““failure to progress” (I loathe that description), prolonged labor, arrest of descent, or fetal distress that does not require immediate delivery.
- These situations may arise during labor when it becomes evident that vaginal delivery is not progressing safely or effectively, leading to a decision to proceed with a cesarean section.
- Although unplanned, these C-sections are not emergencies and allow time for proper preparation and evaluation before the surgery. So, breathe and ask questions!
What To Expect During Cesarean:
Before the Procedure: If your C-section is planned or unplanned but not emergent, you’ll have time to prepare mentally and emotionally. You’ll be asked to remove any jewelry, clothing, or accessories and change into a hospital gown.
During the Procedure: You’ll be given anesthesia, typically either spinal or epidural anesthesia. In emergency situations, general anesthesia might be used for immediate effect. If it’s not an emergency, you’ll be able to stay awake! Then a catheter will be placed to drain urine during the surgery. A drape will be placed over your abdomen to maintain a clean environment and the surgical team will carefully monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure. The surgeon will make an incision to your abdomen and then uterus to safely deliver your baby.
You may feel some pressure, pulling, or tugging sensations during the surgery, but you should not feel pain.
After the baby is delivered and any necessary medical interventions are completed, the surgical team will close the incisions.
After the Birth: After the birth, you will be monitored closely during recovery to ensure a smooth transition and address any immediate needs. Pain management and postoperative care instructions will be provided to help you. You can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days for monitoring and support before being discharged with your newborn.
No matter the circumstances of your cesarean birth, the medical team is there to ensure the safety and well-being of both you and your baby. Don’t hesitate to communicate with your healthcare providers about any questions, preferences, or concerns you may have!
How To Lower Your Risk For Cesarean Birth:
There’s a lot you can do to prevent those “non-emergent” c-sections.
- Choose an OBGYN with a low C-section rate! Some high rates can be caused by personal “practice style” rather than individualized care.
- Consider a Midwife.
- Stay active during pregnancy to be ready for labor.
- Arrange to have continuous labor support from someone with experience, like a doula, who can help with comfort and good labor progress.
- Avoid an induction of labor unless there is a medical reason.
- Labor at home for as long as possible.
- In labor, stay upright and move about. “Motion is lotion!”
- Ask to have your baby’s heartbeat monitored intermittently or with wireless monitors.
- If you’ve had a cesarean, choose a care provider and birth setting supportive of VBAC.
- If your baby is breech near the end of your pregnancy, ask your doctor or midwife about turning the
baby to a head-first position (external version). There are also positions and methods to try! Find out more about those in my Childbirth Course.
Childbirth Reference Guide
Save it on your phone to have with you during your labor, so you and your partner know what’s happening during each phase and what you can be doing to help with progression and comfort!
How To Heal From A Cesarean Birth:
Hydration & Nutrition!
I know it seems like a given, but you just had a baby and you’re going to have to prioritize this more than ever. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll have to increase your calorie intake by 450 to 500! This is because to create and provide breast milk to your baby, your body is burning more calories than you’re used to. So you’ll need plenty of fuel and hydration! Freezer meals and meal trains are genius during postpartum.
Increase your water intake by double the recommended amount for the average person, as well. This means drinking at least 16 glasses or 128 ounces of water! I recommend having a giant water bottle near you at all times.
Balance Rest & Walking
While it’s important to get adequate rest to allow your body to heal, gentle walking can promote circulation, prevent blood clots, and aid in your recovery process. Listen to your body and work with your healthcare team to find the right balance that supports your healing journey and bonding time with your new baby.
Pain Medication
It’s really important to take the pain medication prescribed after a cesarean birth to manage discomfort and promote healing!
I get it, I don’t like pain meds either… I’ve had surgeries and procedures where I’ve been prescribed them and I take them for a day and then just “woman up”.
But by controlling pain, you can better focus on caring for yourself and bonding with your newborn!
Many pain medications are safe to use while breastfeeding, but it’s essential to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. They can help you choose medications that are compatible with breastfeeding and monitor for any potential side effects to ensure both you and your baby stay healthy.
Incision Maintenance
Keeping your incision clean and dry is crucial for a smooth and infection-free recovery after a cesarean. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to clean and care for your incision to prevent complications.
General Advice: Gentle cleaning with mild soap and water, patting the area dry, and avoiding harsh products or rubbing can promote healing. It’s important to monitor the incision for any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge and to contact your healthcare provider if you notice any concerning changes!
Supplements
Eating high collagen foods can aid in healing faster but you might want to consider a Collagen supplement as well! Taking a collagen supplement after a can help with the formation of new tissue for the overall strength and elasticity of the skin and underlying tissues.
A good Probiotic supports a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut! They play a vital role in maintaining digestive health and supporting the immune system.
By consuming probiotic-rich foods or supplements, mothers can help replenish beneficial bacteria in their gut, which may have been affected by factors such as antibiotics or stress during childbirth. This can contribute to better digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall well-being during the postpartum recovery phase.
Additionally, probiotics may also help reduce the risk of certain digestive issues such as constipation or gastrointestinal discomfort that can occur after childbirth or surgery. It’s important to discuss probiotic supplementation with your provider to ensure it’s appropriate and safe for your needs and circumstances.
Essential Items For Cesarean Recovery
There are a lot of items that I consider “essential”. But some are just for comfort and making the healing time more pleasant, so keep that in mind.
- A pillow for counter-pressure! When you cough, laugh or sneeze it can be quite painful. So you’ll want to keep one near by at all times to press (gently) on your abdomen.
- Comfy, loose clothing and soft-stretch underwear.
- C-Section Recovery Band / Post-Op Incision Protector
- C-Section Belly Binder
- Heating Pad
- A C-Section Recovery Kit with everything you might need for hygiene!
Support and Care From Others
So, it’s often said “it takes a village!”. I totally agree, but I don’t think it takes a village to raise a baby. It takes a village to support a mother. This is even more important while healing from a cesarean.
As women, it can be super difficult to ask and actually receive help! But this is not the time to “power through”.
Allow trusted loved ones to come to you in your time of need! This isn’t just for c-section recovery, this should be applied for postpartum period. I know it can be hard when your only options are maybe a Mother-In-Law that oversteps or friends that just don’t know how to support you. So create a list and set those boundaries!
How can they help?
Daily household chores, meals, emotional and physical support, taking care of your baby so you can get some rest, and so much more!
Postpartum Doula support makes a huge difference as well! A compassionate professional can help with all of the above, as well as lactation support and newborn care assistance.
Proper support is the best way to also prevent certain mood disorders like Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. You’ll never forget the way someone makes you feel during pregnancy and postpartum. Choose your people wisely!
How Long Is Recovery After Cesarean?
Every woman’s cesarean recovery journey is unique, and it’s important to listen to your body and give yourself the time and care you need.
Generally, cesarean recovery can take several weeks (6-8) to a few months for full healing, depending on individual circumstances and the extent of the surgery.
Initially, you may experience discomfort or pain around the incision site, but with proper pain management and self-care, such as rest, gentle movement, and following your healthcare provider’s guidance, the intensity of pain tends to subside gradually.
Remember to reach out to your healthcare team if you have any concerns or questions during your recovery process, as they are there to support and guide you.
Education & Empowerment Childbirth Course
You may have heard tales of birth painted as fearful, agonizing, and beyond your influence!
But let me share the real story of childbirth with you.
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