You may need to deliver a baby either vaginally or by Emergency C-Section. A C-section may not be a painful procedure, as you would with regional anesthesia – such as an epidural or spinal block. It’s important to remember that during a C-section, you may feel some pulling or pressure, but you won’t feel pain. However, recovery from a C-section can be more painful and take longer than recovery from a vaginal birth.
In case you deliver the baby by emergency C-section, you will need time to recover. Therefore, before undergoing a C-section and during a C-section, you need some medical and physical management tips. The tips are as follows:
Shower before emergency C-section
Cleanse your body with a bar of soap. Take a clean towel and dry it. Use chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipes given to you by the nurse and wipe the front of your body – under the breasts, under the thighs and over the abdomen. Allow your skin to dry and dress in clean clothes. You should avoid shaving near the surgical site and wipe the genital area. Bathe again the morning of surgery and repeat all those things you did the night before surgery.
Your diet before an emergency caesarean section
8 hours before the caesarean section, you should drink water, juice, broth, tea, etc. If you have diabetes, you can consume a sugar-free sports drink to stay hydrated before your emergency C-section. You can have a light meal or low-fat snack up to 6 hours before your C-section.
Discontinuation of Medications
It is important to take your doctor’s advice when it comes to stopping medications before an emergency C-section. If, for example, you are taking blood thinners, your doctor may recommend stopping them before surgery. In cases where your last heparin injection was within 24 hours of your emergency caesarean section, general anesthesia may be needed. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for the best possible result.
Arrival at the Hospital
Check with your healthcare provider about your arrival time. Plan to arrive 2 hours before your scheduled surgery time. This will give you time to get admitted and prepare for labor and delivery of your child.
Assistance in the Labor and Delivery Room
Yes, that’s true! You can include support, for example your midwife, your partner or any other friend or family member – who will sit next to you, hold your hand and help you breathe and relax before and during the operation.
Things to do just before surgery
You may need to sign consent forms for surgery, if you haven’t already, and meet the anesthesia and delivery team. Next, the nurse will put an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to draw blood (blood sugar test), trim pubic hair, and also check the fetus’s heart rate. He or she will put bandages on your legs to prevent blood clotting. The nurse will also put a Foley catheter into your bladder to drain the urine. The anesthesia team will do spinal anesthesia or an epidural.
In the surgery
You will tend to be in the operating room for about 60 to 90 minutes to deliver the baby. Most of the time, you will deliver the baby in 10 minutes. Once the baby is born, healthcare professionals will check your baby’s health, bring your baby close to your skin, and help you start breastfeeding. The healthcare professional will transfer the baby to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) if additional care is required.
After the Surgery
The new mother, after giving birth, can move, eat and use the toilet for a few hours. After the surgery, within 72 hours, there are chances that you will experience fever, infection or digestive problems. There may also be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, headache, vision changes, etc. If your doctor deems it necessary, a wound vacuum will be placed. They will discuss this option with you and provide you with all the information you need. So, as a recovery stage, walking will help you heal. You should eat small meals. Breastfeeding works your whole body and mind. Finally, your catheter will be removed.
Ways to control pain
12 to 18 hours after surgery, you will be given medication to reduce pain. In addition, you will need to take medication for bowel movements, postpartum nausea, and heartburn. You may also need to take birth control pills if you wish.
However, In terms of natural remedies, you can do the following:
- Take a warm bath.
- Try not to rub your incision.
- Reduce housework. Try not to lift weights around the house.
- Avoid using tampons, sexual activity, or inserting anything into your vagina.
