Written By: Amanda Tattersall, MSN, WHNP-BC
Preparing for a Scheduled C-Section
So you’ve just been told at your prenatal appointment that you will likely need to be scheduled for a cesarean delivery (C-section). This may not have been part of your plan or what you expected for your pregnancy. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and fear of the unknown may be at play. But we, your support team at Kamm Mckenzie, are here to help! Knowing what to expect during a C-section birth, can be very helpful for putting your mind at ease.
During your prenatal visits, your doctor or nurse practitioner will explain why a C-section is recommended in your case, and give you time to ask questions. On the day of your C-section, the Kamm McKenzie doctor taking care of you will go over the surgery plan, expectations, and risks, and address any lingering concerns.
What Happens on the Day of Your C-Section?
The entire team at WakeMed wants you and your family to have a good experience! We will take into consideration your birth preferences, and do whatever we can to make your C-section birth a positive one.
You and your support person will be apart just while the Anesthesia team gets you comfortable in the operating room, but we will bring them to the OR before the birthday party gets started.
Most patients are able to be awake during their C-section, with anesthesia to ensure you are numb from about the chest down.
What Happens During a C-Section Birth?
A C-section typically takes around 30 minutes to perform, and your baby will be delivered within the first 5 minutes of this! Your baby will be in your sightline the whole time, and if they are doing well, can often do skin-to-skin with you while your surgeon finishes operating.
Recovery Immediately After a C-Section
After surgery, you will spend about 2 hours in the recovery room, then you will move over to the postpartum unit. The nurses will help shuttle your things between rooms with a cart, so don’t worry about that!
Hospital Stay After a C-Section
The length of hospital stay for a C-section mom is typically 3 to 4 days. It is important to allow clinical staff to assess for any immediate postoperative complications, and to ensure both you and your baby are stable before going home. During this time, your care team will make sure:
- Your pain is well controlled
- You are able to urinate on your own
- Your bleeding is appropriate
- Vital signs are within normal limits
If you are breastfeeding, lactation services will visit you in the hospital to offer assistance and prepare you for nursing/pumping once you are home.
C-Section Recovery: Wound Care
Wound care management is important following a cesarean delivery. As the anesthesia is wearing off and you begin to take oral pain medications, it is important to stay ahead of your pain. The pain quality can be burning, sharp, aching, and radiating.
Important ways to care for your incision include:
- Taking pain medications as prescribed
- Regular ambulation (walking)
- Supporting your incision with a pillow when coughing/sneezing/changing positions
- Keeping your incision clear and dry
- Avoiding lifting anything heavier than the baby in its carrier (~25lbs) are some of the most important ways to help care for your incision
Please call Kamm McKenzie as soon as possible if there is ever:
- Warmth
- Redness
- Rashes
- Pain
- Drainage around/coming from the incision
Routinely after a C-section, you will be scheduled for a 2 week incision check and a 6 week postpartum appointment, but if you need assistance outside of those visits, all you have to do is call or text and we will schedule a problem visit for you right away.
Postpartum Hormones and Emotional Health
Finally, it’s important to note that hormonal fluctuations in the postpartum period can be challenging. Many women experience both physical and mental changes.
“Postpartum blues,” which typically last for up to 2 weeks, are common for women to experience in the days after giving birth. Should severe or persistent anxiety and/or depression symptoms occur, please notify us at Kamm Mckenzie. We are here to help.
Physical symptoms such as vaginal dryness, breast engorgement, and uterine cramping while nursing are just some of the many things women might experience due to hormonal shifts. If any symptoms interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, reach out to us to discuss.
When to Call Your Provider After a C-Section
Seek medical care if you experience any of the following:
- Fever or chills (>100.4F)
- Headaches, visual changes, loss of vision
- Severe or sudden onset of swelling
- Shortness of breast, heart palpitations
- Vaginal bleeding that is soaking entire pad in less than 1 hour for more than 2 hour and/or repeatedly passing clots bigger than golf ball
- Pain not being controlled with medications
- Drainage from incision, swelling/redness around site
- Painful breast(s), redness to one or both of your breasts, body aches, fever (possible mastitis)
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Helpful Resources for Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, Myra J. Wick
- What To Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers, Karen Kleiman
- Your Postpartum Body, Ruth E. Macy & Courtney Naliboff
Final Thoughts: You Are Supported Every Step of the Way
A C-section birth may not be what you originally planned, but it can still be a safe, positive, and empowering experience.
Understanding what to expect during and after a cesarean delivery can help you feel more confident and prepared. Your care team is here to support you, answer your questions, and ensure the best possible experience for you and your baby.
