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?
After a C-section: Tips for recovery
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.
