Surgical delivery (caesarean section)
Surgical delivery is also called caesarean section. During a surgical delivery, the doctor makes an incision in the mother’s belly to take out the baby.
A caesarean section is usually planned. In this case, you already know that it is going to be a caesarean section before you go into labour.
Caesarian section: the operation
A caesarian section takes place as follows:
You are admitted to hospital in the morning. You must have been fasting (no food or drink) for at least 6 hours. You prepare for surgery. For instance: you put on a surgical gown, take off jewellery and remove your make-up.
The doctor will give you an epidural anaesthetic. This is an injection in the lower back. The injection can be given while you are sitting or lying.
During delivery, your partner or another person of your choice can stay with you. The doctor makes an incision in your belly, just above the pubic hair. You do not feel any pain, but you can feel that you are being operated on.
The doctor takes out your baby. The entire operation takes up to 1 hour.
Then the umbilical cord is cut.
If you have an emergency caesarean section:
- you will have a general anaesthetic instead of an epidural (local) anaesthetic;
- nobody can accompany you.