Key takeaways:

• A cesarean delivery, or C-section, is when the baby is delivered through the abdomen vs. a vaginal delivery is when the baby is delivered through the birthing canal.
• A C-section may be planned or arise in case of an emergency during labor.
• C-sections account for approximately 32 percent of all United States births.
• St. Joseph’s/Candler has dedicated operating rooms for delivery on the labor and delivery unit at the Telfair BirthPlace.
• Recovery is different for a c-section: longer hospital stays, typically more pain medication and a longer healing time.

St. Joseph’s/Candler OB/GYN Dr. Tiffany Loftus explains why a cesarean delivery doesn’t have to be a negative experience

For nine months (or maybe your lifetime), you’ve been envisioning the ideal delivery of your new baby. The majority of the time, women envision a vaginal birth.

However, the safest thing for the mother and the baby does not always result in a vaginal birth, but instead a cesarean delivery. In some instances, your OB/GYN may recommend a scheduled cesarean delivery or you may need a C-section in the event of an unexpected emergency.

“Unfortunately, there is a stigma that persists in our society that having a C-section is a sign of failure, however that is not true” says Dr. Tiffany Loftus, St. Joseph’s/Candler OB/GYN. “At the end of the day, a safe and healthy mom and a safe and healthy baby is the top priority that we obstetricians strive to achieve.”

Throughout your prenatal care and even during your labor course, make sure to talk to your provider about modes of delivery, vaginal birth vs. cesarean, to ensure that you feel well informed during your care.

Related Article: Planning to get pregnant? Do these things now.

What is a cesarean delivery?

A C-section occurs when the baby is delivered through the abdomen with a low transverse incision, explains Dr. Loftus. Typically, a C-section is done when there’s indication for one prior to delivery or in emergency situations during labor.

Examples of when you might need a C-section include:

• You’ve had previous C-sections in the past.
• Your water has been broken for a long time but your cervix is not changing.
• Your baby’s heart rate is low and stays low and you are not yet 10 centimeters dilated.
• You are 10 centimeters dilated and you are giving it your all, but the baby just doesn’t fit through the birthing canal either due to the baby’s size or position.

“If we can do a vaginal delivery that’s great, but sometimes that’s not always the option,” Dr. Loftus says. “That’s why C-sections can be the better, safer choice for certain situations.”

Cesarean deliveries account for approximately 32 percent of all United States births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A C-section is a major surgery that is not without risks, such as injuries to the organs, bleeding or infection, and requires a longer recovery period.

However, whether it’s planned or not, there’s no reason a C-section has to be a negative experience. As your due date approaches, be sure to talk to your physician about the possibility of a C-section and your own plan of care. While each patient experience differs, having an idea of what to expect can make the situation less traumatic and be the life changing moment all expecting moms look forward to.

Related Article: Tips for a healthy pregnancy and successful delivery

So, what can I expect during a C-section?

In Dr. Loftus’ practice, along with OB/GYNs Dr. Andrew Tucker and Dr. Andres Montes, they provide moms with a preparation packet that includes what to expect and what to do and not do.

For example, the packet includes cleansing wipes mom can use the night before to help prep her skin for surgery. Additionally, mom should not eat or drink after midnight, like most any other type of surgery.

If it’s a planned C-section, you should arrive at the hospital about two hours before scheduled surgery. You will be hooked up to a monitor so your healthcare team can get a good look at baby and vital signs before going to the operating room, Dr. Loftus explains.

At the Telfair BirthPlace at Candler Hospital, we have dedicated operating rooms solely for labor and delivery. They are on the same floor as other delivery rooms and mother-baby recovery. When you are in the birthing ORs, you are allowed only one support person vs. two with a vaginal delivery. That’s because of space and there’s more people in the room during a C-section, such as a neonatologist and respiratory therapist.

“I always let patients know that everybody in the room has a purpose,” Dr. Loftus says. “We know it can be overwhelming when you go into an operating room, especially if it’s an emergency situation and you are stressed out, but every single person in that room has a purpose, whether to help you or help the baby.”

Related Article: What is a neonatologist? 

You will still get anesthesia during a C-section; however, if it’s a planned C-section, you will most likely get spinal anesthesia vs. an epidural. Spinals have a pretty fast onset and don’t last as long as an epidural, Dr. Loftus says.

If you’ve been laboring for a while with an epidural already in place, and a C-section is suddenly needed, then you will most likely remain on the epidural with more medication supplied.

What is recovery like following a C-section?

Recovery is different for a C-section vs. a vaginal delivery and varies from patient to patient, Dr. Loftus says. In most cases, mom will stay in the hospital for at least two more full days following surgery. Some may need three or four days, depending on the intensity of the surgery.

Typically, moms experience more pain following a C-section vs. a vaginal delivery because, again, this is a major surgery. Your OB/GYN may recommend more pain medication after a C-section whereas most women following a vaginal delivery don’t require any, Dr. Loftus says.

Once you are home, you are encouraged not to lift anything heavy, but still move around as much as you comfortably can, Dr. Loftus says.

In Dr. Loftus’ practice, moms who have cesareans are seen in the office a week after delivery and then again at six weeks. That’s compared to two weeks and six weeks following a vaginal birth.  That can vary from practice to practice.

“Recovery is definitely different, but it’s manageable,” Dr. Loftus says.