What You Should Expect During Your Cesarean Section

I remember my first C-Section. My heart had to be racing with nerves and anticipation. I didn't know what to expect I was so scared. I just wanted it to be over with and I wanted to go home. I never wanted to have children again. I thought it was going to be the end of the world. Well, I am here to tell you that everything is going to be just fine. It was the easiest thing I ever had to go through and I did it twice now. Being informed of what was going to happen eased my nerves.

The first thing you will encounter when you go to the hospital for your Cesarean Section is you will be checked in. They will have you change into a gown and lie in bed while they admit you. You will be given an IV in which they will probably start giving you medicine in it. They will also take some blood samples and answer any questions that you may have. A doctor will come in and explain the anthestics you will be given and how your surgery will go. Then it will be time to go to the operating room.

Once you are in the operating room you will be given your anthetics. There will be two options you will either be given; a spinal or an epidural. If you are given your choice I would go for the spinal. For a spinal you will be given a shot in your back to make you numb from your breasts to your toes. I have heard you will feel less than you would in an epidural, because that only numbs your middle section. In an epidural, you also will have it stuck in your back and it will be taken out later after surgery. Nothing stays in your back in a spinal.

After that is done, they will lay you down. You will immediately feel the effects of the drugs and begin to feel absolutely nothing. They will probably poke at you, just to make sure the medicine has kicked in and you cannot feel anything. Once they have done that they will start to shield you, wash your stomach and prep for your incision. You will have a sheet in front of your face so you will not be able to see anything, so do not be afraid.

Once they are finished prepping you they will make their incision. It only takes a few minutes longer after they do this, so you are past the worst. You will feel your belly moving and that is it. When they are about to deliver the baby you will begin to feel some pressure. Usually, one doctor will be pushing on your lower chest and the other will be pulling the baby out. It only lasts for about 30 seconds and doesn't really hurt, just a little uncomfortable. And it is all done! They will hold your newborn up for you to see and then take them to a warmer to clean them up. You will be stitched back up and taken to recovery. That's it.

Most likely you will be able to have one person with you in the delivery room. Check with your hospital, but that is most hospital's policy. There will be several doctors as well with you in the operating room. Some for you and some for the baby. It will go faster than you think and you will get to see the baby before they are sent out to get cleaned up and have their tests done. If you are still concerned about the whole procedure, I would talk to your doctor at your weekly appointments and they would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Congratulations on your new baby!