Caesarean Birth

A caesarean birth can be just as satisfying as a normal birth, and if it turns out you need a caesarean birth you should not feel that you have let yourself or anyone else down. The most important thing is that you and your baby are safe.

A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby.

The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line.

Around one in every four to five pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean.

Why are caesareans carried out?

A caesarean may be recommended as a planned (elective) procedure or done in an emergency if it's thought a vaginal birth is too risky. They're usually performed after the 38th week of pregnancy.

A caesarean may be carried out because:

your baby is in the breech (feet first) and your doctor has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you would prefer they didn't try this

you have a low lying (placenta praevia)

you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure

you have certain infections, such as a first gential herpes infection occurring late in pregnancy or untreated HIV

your baby isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients - sometimes this may mean the baby needs to be delivered immediately

your labour isn't progressing or there's excessive vaginal bleeding

If there's time to plan the procedure, your midwife or doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of a caesarean compared with a vaginal birth.

Emergency Caesarean Birth

Events can happen very quickly if you are having an emergency operation, the speed of this will vary and depend on the for the caesarean.

You will blood taken to check your blood group and antibodies and a full blood count

You will be given a medicine through a vein to reduce the acidity in your stomach

changing into a hospital gown

having a bikini shave if necessary

removing nail varnish, glasses or contact lenses and jewellery.

a name-band will be put on your wrist.

You will then be taken to the operating theatre.

If you are having a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, your birth partner will be able to stay with you during your caesarean but will have to change into theatre clothes/scrubs.

If you are going to have a general anaesthetic, your birth partner will be asked to stay outside the operating theatre.

Planned/Elective Caesarean Birth

If you are having an elective operation, you will have some routine blood tests done on the morning of your operation.

You will be asked to come into Labour Ward early on the morning of the operation, and to take a medicine to reduce the acidity in your stomach.

Before your operation, the final preparations will take place. These will involve:

changing into a hospital gown
having a bikini shave, if necessary
removing nail varnish, glasses or contact lenses and jewellery.
a name-band will be put on your wrist.

You will then be taken to the operating theatre.

If you are having a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, your birth partner will be able to stay with you during your caesarean, but will have to change into theatre clothes/scrubs.

If you are going to have a general anaesthetic, your birth partner will be asked to stay outside the operating theatre.

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Caesarean birth