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Mitcham Private Hospital Childbirth and Parent Ed Book

Caesarean section Common reasons for an elective or emergency caesarean section include: • Previous caesarean section (a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean VBAC is possible – discuss this with your obstetrician) • Severe intrauterine growth restriction, where the baby is not growing adequately • Placenta Praevia, where the placenta is positioned over the cervix • Breech presentation (bottom presenting) • Delayed progression of labour • Fetal distress • Pre-eclampsia • Cord prolapse • Haemorrhage • Multiple pregnancy • Very large baby An elective caesarean will be arranged during the last weeks of pregnancy. After 38 weeks is the safest time for your baby to be born to reduce the risk of breathing difficulties. An emergency caesarean will need to be performed if a complication arises during labour. Partners are required to wear closed in shoes to go to theatre. Procedure for a caesarean section • Your midwife will shave the top of your pubic hair • An intravenous line will be inserted into the back of your hand • You will be given an anaesthetic – either an epidural or spinal, or a general anaesthetic • A urinary catheter will be inserted into your bladder • An incision is made through your ‘bikini line’ • Your baby is born, sometimes using forceps to bring the head out of the pelvic cavity, and is then dried and checked by the Paediatrician and given to you and your partner/ support person. If your baby requires extra support, such as oxygen therapy, he/she will be transferred to the Special Care Nursery. • The placenta is delivered after an intravenous administration of oxytocin • Your wound is stitched. The stitches/clips are either removed or dissolve after a few days when the wound has healed. • You, your baby and partner/support person are transferred to the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU, or more commonly referred to as Recovery) for a period of observation (usually about 30 minutes) • Skin to skin contact will be provided during this time and your midwife can assist you to breastfeed your baby • When your observations are stable, you and your baby and partner / support person will be transferred to the postnatal ward Caesarean Section You will be awake during a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, and your partner/support person will be present. If a general anaesthetic is required, then you will not be awake and your partner will be taken to Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU). Your baby will be brought to your partner/support person soon afterwards. Your partner and baby will wait in PACU you are also brought to PACU. 24 Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education Helpful Hints Important Information Something to Remember Remember Info to note An elective caesarean will be arranged during the last weeks of pregnancy in some instances. After 38 weeks is the safest time for your baby to be born to reduce the risk of breathing difficulties.


Mitcham Private Hospital Childbirth and Parent Ed Book
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