Tips for a Planned C-Section

Being fully prepared for your newborn’s arrival can provide a positive birth experience and a smooth recovery, especially if you’re delivering via a planned C-section.

For starters, what exactly is a C-section? It’s a procedure in which a baby is removed from the uterus via surgery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 32% of all babies in the US are born via C-section. C-sections typically fall into three categories: unplanned, emergency, and planned.

In the case of a planned C-section — also called a scheduled C-section — you and your physician decide that the safest option is getting a C-section surgery date on the calendar. Typically this date would be around the time of your estimated delivery date.

Read on to learn the difference between an unplanned emergency C-section and a scheduled C-section, what to expect, and tips for recovery to help you create a birth plan for a C-section delivery.

What is a planned C-section?

birth_plan_for_c_section_1.jpg
iStock

There are several factors that could contribute to your doctor scheduling a planned C-section. The surgery, which typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour, excluding recovery time, is typically planned when there are extenuating circumstances that would prevent you from delivering vaginally.

During my first pregnancy, a planned C-section was scheduled because I had a complete placenta previa, and delivering vaginally would have resulted in hemorrhage. What we didn’t anticipate was my going into labor before my scheduled C-section, which resulted in an emergency C-section.

Another reason a planned C-section may be performed is if your baby remains in a breech position at 36 weeks. If your physician is unable to manually move them in a procedure known as an external cephalic version (ECV), or “version” as it’s more commonly known, you will likely be a candidate for a planned C-section. Additional reasons for scheduling a Cesarean section include:

  • Maternal diabetes or high blood pressure, which could make vaginal birth risky
  • HIV or genital herpes, which could be transmitted to the baby during a vaginal birth
  • You’re pregnant with multiples
  • Your baby is in distress or has an umbilical cord issue or birth defect

“There are some ways to avoid a C-section. But you may not be somebody for whom that’s an appropriate choice, and a C-section would be an appropriate delivery mechanism,” explained Dr. Shelby Dickinson of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Some other examples would include if you’ve had a C-section before, a prior shoulder dystocia — where the shoulder gets stuck during delivery — or if you’ve had a tear that was bad enough that you had complications after a prior delivery.” Dr. Dickinson also noted that scheduled C-sections are also performed if doctors determine that your baby is too big to be delivered safely vaginally.

While it’s often thought that mothers who have had C-sections will deliver subsequent babies via C-section as well, a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) is possible in some cases. Check with your doctor if this would be safe and appropriate for you, and if your hospital has the staff and resources to handle VBAC.

Tips for your planned C-section birth plan

birth_plan_for_c_section_2.jpg
iStock

Create a birth plan for C-section delivery with the help of your birth partner and your doctor at least a few months before your surgery date. This gives you a chance to mention any special requests you might have in good time for the birth. For example, you could ask that your birth partner cut the newborn’s cord. With a planned C-section, it’s best to keep your birth plan simple and flexible. This allows your delivery team to prioritize health and safety issues above other concerns.

While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that planned C-sections only be performed for medical reasons, some patients and their physicians have scheduled surgeries for the convenience factor or by request of the patient. This is why when choosing an obstetrician, it’s important to address these issues early on in your pregnancy so you’re all on the same page.

For her second pregnancy, mom of two Susan Yara opted for an elective C-section after a difficult delivery when her first child was born. “I’d ended up in an emergency C-section, which was really scary,” she shared in her YouTube video. “And probably the biggest difference in having an elective C-section is that you’re not dealing with those same kinds of fears — the what-ifs and stuff.”

After a C-section: Tips for recovery

birth_plan_for_c_section_3.jpg
iStock

For a planned C-section, it’s likely that you will receive a regional anesthetic, which numbs the area below the waistline. Regional anesthesia allows you to remain conscious so that you can see your newborn immediately after delivery, provided there are no complications.

Some tips for a successful recovery at the hospital and at home:

  • Arrange for at least one supportive person to accompany you on the day of surgery, and also someone to accompany you home. Check with your health care provider if you would like your birth partner to remain with you during delivery, as hospital regulations can vary.
  • Typically, moms stay in the hospital for two to four days after a Cesarean section. Once home, try to rest as much as you can, and avoid lifting anything heavier than your newborn. Although a C-section is minor surgery, it’s still surgery, and your body needs time to heal.
  • Don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends! One way they can contribute is to help stock your refrigerator and freezer with a range of nutritious foods so you won’t have to worry about meals your first few days home from the hospital.
  • It’s normal to experience heavy bleeding after a C-section, and therefore hospitals usually provide extra-absorbent menstrual pads for you to use. However, you might prefer to bring your own menstrual pads if you think they are more comfortable, and make sure you have some on hand for when you return home.
  • If you plan to breastfeed your newborn, pack a small, foam cushion or a folded bath towel into your hospital bag to use as a “tummy pillow.” A tummy pillow is helpful when you are lying on one side to breastfeed your baby, as you can place it between the bed and your abdomen to help support and protect your incision.

*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.