• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Pregnancy Logo 2018

Pregnancy Magazine

Pregnancy and infancy news, tips, and reviews

“Great
  • Pregnancy
  • Labor & Delivery
  • Baby
  • Breastfeeding
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • mom

C-sections: A crash course

by Lizzie Goodman 2 Comments

What really happens during a C-section.

No matter how much you prepare for labor and delivery, there’s always a chance things won’t go exactly as planned. While you may have your sights set on a vaginal delivery, there are countless reasons why your health care provider may call for a cesarean – or as it’s more commonly called, a C-section. Maybe labor has stalled and your contractions have petered out, or perhaps your little one is malpositioned and won’t fit through the pelvis. Whatever the case may be, it’s good to be prepared for the possibility of ending up on the operating table. Here’s what you can expect:

Surgery prep

  • You’ll be loaded into a wheelchair and delivered to the operating room. Most hospitals will allow your spouse or labor partner to join you.
  • Be advised: Phones, cameras and any other recording devices may not be allowed in the OR.
  • Your health care team will transfer you to the operating table where you’ll receive either a spinal block or epidural to block the pain. If you’ve been in labor up to this point, you’ll experience your last contraction here (hallelujah!). From here on out, you’ll be numb from just below your breasts and down. You will be awake for the surgery, but feeling relaxed.
  • Depending on the hospital, your team may gently restrain your arms for the surgery.
  • You’ll receive a catheter in your bladder.
  • The doctor will hook you up to an IV.
  • A curtain will be hung above your belly, blocking the surgery from your view.

Read more: 3 reasons not to stress about a C-section

The action

  • Rest assured, you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. What you will feel is a bit of pressure and some slight tugging. You may hear some surgical sounds and smell some strange odors.
  • The doctor will make a horizontal incision in your belly, at your bikini line.
  • Next, he or she will make a similar cut into the uterus, opening the amniotic sac and removing the baby.
  • Your medical team will clear the baby’s eyes and nose of any fluids, cut the umbilical cord and remove the placenta.

Post surgery

  • If the baby is healthy, the nurses will clean him or her up and, depending on the hospital, may allow the baby to rest on your chest to breastfeed for the first time. Meanwhile, the doctor will stitch up your incisions.
  • You will be wheeled to the recovery room while your partner and baby head to the nursery for vaccinations and a first bath. In family-friendly hospitals, baby and your partner will join you in recovery.
  • It will take 1-2 hours before you regain feeling in the lower part of your body.
  • A typical hospital stay for a c-section is three to five days.

Read more: Diary of a C-section: What really happens during surgery 

online pharmacy buy kamagra-oral-jelly no prescription with best prices today in the USA
online pharmacy order lexapro without prescription with best prices today in the USA

Recovery

buy https://virtualvision.health/wp-content/uploads/dynamic/signatures/986a4a9/zovirax.html online https://virtualvision.health/wp-content/uploads/dynamic/signatures/986a4a9/zovirax.html no prescription pharmacy
online pharmacy buy nolvadex no prescription with best prices today in the USA
  • You’ll be sent home with prescription medications to help monitor the pain. If breastfeeding, your health care team will provide drugs that are safe for nursing mothers and their babies.
  • Following a c-section, your doctor will advise you to take it easy. No driving, stairs, sex or heavy lifting for at least six weeks.
  • Your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection, such as fever or irritation around your incision.

Read more: How to handle that C-section scar

Most women never expect to find themselves facing a C-section. But while you prepare for your baby’s arrival, it’s a good idea to learn about all your birthing options. When it comes to labor and delivery, what’s your ideal situation? What fears are you facing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Filed Under: The Big Day

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. olaoluwa says

    at

    My greatest fear is,how can i deliver my baby without undergoing a c-section, being a first time mum; i have realised most first time moms undergo c-section in order to deliver their baby. am worried about the defects of C-section

    Reply
  2. Karina says

    at

    Don’t go in feeling like you have to have a c-section unless it’s life saving. In my opinion for both my first and second child (VBAC), I now realize how niaeve I was. I had a c-section for my first child because “she was to big for her age”, and because of her rate of growth was faster than her age, my dr. thought there was some risk. My second I was initially induced with a foley bulb/ pictocin/ manual water break. My child, in my opinion, was not ready. I did have an epidural and obviously had contractions but never had the urge to push. Because I didn’t know any better, I allowed this. Yes some things were told to me, but not to MY FULL understanding… Eventually I ended up having a c-section. Now I feel as though I should have waited longer to induce (if even needed). I guess what I am saying is ASK QUESTIONS; A lot of questions! and go with your motherly instinct for as long as possible. If you “doubt/uncomfortable” with something the doctors/nurses say, have them explain until you get it. Don’t be afraid to speak up! Because now, of all the things I have gone through, this experience, I sadly in some ways…regret. I feel robbed! I don’t say this to discourage you but rather encourage you! I hope this helps… in some small way; maybe! 😉

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe

Peaceful Discipline by Sarah Moore

More to See

parent coaching

Parent Coaching: 3 Ways to Create a More Joyful Home

By Sarah Moore

The perfect workout for pregnant women (sponsored)

By Isa Herrera, MSPT CSCS

3 Smart Baby Monitors That Also Use a Monitoring Sock To Track Baby Safety

By Paul Banas

postpartum recovery

10 Postpartum Recovery Kits to Consider Before Baby Comes

By Hadley Banas

Footer

Copyright 2025 Pregnancy Magazine Group

Emails powered by Wishpond: PregnancyWishpond

Dedicated WordPress hosting: PregnancyFlywheel

WordPress Theme: PregnancyTheme

This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for an examination by your healthcare provider. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

 

Recent

  • Best Baby Car Monitors from Budget to Deluxe in 2025
  • 3 Smart Baby Monitors That Also Use a Monitoring Sock To Track Baby Safety
  • 10 Postpartum Recovery Kits to Consider Before Baby Comes
  • 3 unique ways to care for your health as a mom
  • What to Do When You’re Expecting And Still Need to Support Your Family

Search

© Copyright 2025 Pregnancy Magazine Group · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT