How Is a C-Section Performed?
You may be awake when a C-section is done. An anesthesiologist usually gives you an epidural or spinal anesthetic. (Types of anesthesia are discussed in Week 39.) If you’re awake for the procedure, you may be able to see your baby immediately after delivery! With a C-section, an incision is made through the skin of the abdominal wall to the uterus. The wall of the uterus is cut, then the amniotic sac containing the baby and placenta is cut. The baby is removed through the incision. Next, the placenta is removed. The uterus is closed in layers with sutures that absorb and do not have to be removed. The remainder of the abdomen is sewn together with absorbable sutures. Most Cesarean deliveries done today are low-cervical Cesareans or low-transverse Cesareans. This means the incision is made low in the uterus. In the past, a Cesarean was often done with a classical incision, in which the uterus is cut down the midline. This incision doesn’t heal as well as a low-cervical incision. Because
