Caesarean Section

Caesarean Section is a surgical method of delivering the baby from the pregnant mother. This is usually done around 9-10th month of pregnancy as an elective or planned procedure once the baby is mature. It could also be done as an emergency when life threatening complications to mother or baby occur.

The operation originated many centuries ago when the mother was on her death bed, in an effort to save the baby from dying in the mother’s womb. From the 20th century onwards it became an accepted technique in difficult labors, complicated maternal health and situations when the baby's well being was getting compromised.

Nowadays, it is a fairly common mode of delivery resorted to when the mother suffers from medical problems or illnesses, diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, placenta previa, breech presentation, twins, triplets, and previous caesarean delivery.

The mother is prepared as for any major surgery and anesthesia. A spinal or epidural or general anesthetic is administered, while the mother's heart, lungs and circulation are monitored as is the baby's heart beat. The baby is delivered by opening the mother’s abdomen, followed by opening the uterus in its lower portion. The operation usually is completed in less than an hour.

Complications can range from mild ones like fever, vomiting to major ones like massive hemorrhage, injury to the neighboring structures like urinary bladder or intestines or pulmonary embolism.
Recovery can be fairly quick and the mother can return to normalcy within three to four weeks.