A C-section can be both planned and unplanned. In this article, you can read about the different variations, how the C-section works and what you can expect afterwards.

A C-section is a type of delivery and can be planned, emergency or immediate depending on how quickly you need to get the baby out. The mother is usually awake during a C-section, which usually takes between half an hour and an hour. However, it may take longer, for example if you have had stomach surgery before. The time from the start of the operation until the child is out is usually only about ten minutes.

Once the baby is out, the obstetrician will cut the umbilical cord to a long stump, then it can be cut to the right length by the partner or other relative if desired. If everyone is fine and you are awake, you will be able to hold your baby to your chest right away.

After the operation is finished, you will spend a couple of hours in the post-operative ward. In the event of a planned C-section, the partner and baby may be present in the postoperative ward, otherwise they will wait in the maternity ward where they can have skin-to-skin contact.

What kind of anaesthesia do you get?
Before your C-section, your veins will be accessed so that the anaesthetists can give you the medicines you need. The anaesthetist and obstetrician decide what type of anaesthesia you will receive, but as a rule spinal anaesthesia is used. You will also have a urinary catheter.

In the operating room, there will be anaesthetists, obstetricians, midwives and operating personnel to take care of you. If there is a risk of your baby being unwell, a paediatrician and paediatric nurse will be present during the C-section. If a child is unexpectedly unwell, they will, of course, be close at hand.

A planned C-section may, for example, be done if the baby is lying with its bottom facing downwards, if the placenta is situated low in the uterus or for other reasons which mean that prevent you from giving birth vaginally. Before a planned C-section, you will be able to talk to an obstetrician who will inform you about how the procedure will go and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. During a planned C-section, you may bring your partner or relative with you.

An emergency C-section is most often performed during a delivery where labour has started and takes place within an hour, or sooner if necessary. This could be, for example, because labour is not progressing, the foetus is showing signs of distress, or because you had planned a C-section but have gone into labour earlier than your planned C-section date. In most cases, your partner or relative is allowed to accompany you during the C-section.

An immediate C-section is performed if the baby needs to come out quickly. This may be due to complications during childbirth or, for example, if something appears to be life-threatening to the child during the pregnancy. Usually it doesn’t take longer than about fifteen minutes before the child is out. In the event of an immediate C-section, you will most likely be sedated, and your partner or family member will usually have to wait outside the operating room.