Caesarean section precautions Caesarean section mothers must know

Caesarean section is the method of delivery chosen by many older women. Although it reduces the risk of childbirth for older women, there are precautions for this operation. If you are not careful, it will affect the recovery of the mother and the health of the fetus. So what are the precautions for caesarean section? In fact, there are 8 things to pay attention to during caesarean section. The first thing to pay attention to is consultation.

1. Consultation

As the pregnancy progresses, the method of delivery will be determined with the doctor during the prenatal checkup based on the condition of the fetus and the mother. Although cesarean section is less painful than natural birth and the whole process only takes 30 to 60 minutes, the surgical risks and morbidity rates are higher than natural birth. Therefore, for the health of mother and child, if there are no indications for surgery, try to choose natural childbirth. If you are really afraid of pain, you can choose painless childbirth.

Indications for cesarean section:

Maternal aspects: narrow pelvis blocking the birth canal; history of cesarean section; prenatal bleeding, placenta previa or early placental abruption; gestational hypertension or heart disease; reproductive tract infection. Fetal aspects: malposition of the fetus; the fetus is too large, cephalopelvic disproportion; fetal distress, changes in fetal heart rate or fetal hypoxia; multiple pregnancy.

2. Preoperative examination

A series of examinations are required before the operation, including the pregnant woman's temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, medical history, current physical examination results, blood type, liver function, HIV virus, hepatitis C, and syphilis, to determine the health status of the pregnant woman and fetus.

3. Preparation for Caesarean Section

The hospitalization time is determined by the doctor based on the condition of the fetus. The patient will be hospitalized one day before the operation as agreed to receive pre-operative preparation. The dinner should be light the night before surgery, and do not eat after midnight to ensure intestinal cleanliness and reduce intraoperative infection. Before the operation, measure vital signs and listen to the fetal heart rate. A fetal heart rate of 120 to 160 beats/min is normal. After making sure there was no jewelry on the patient's body, the patient was prepared for skin preparation, blood was drawn, a urinary catheter was inserted, and the patient was sent to the operating room.

4. Disinfection and Anesthesia

The range is from below the sternum to the upper 1/3 of the thigh. If you choose epidural anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will usually gently insert an epidural tube between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. The drug is slowly released through the tube, and the expectant mother remains conscious, but the pain disappears.

5. Operation Begins

The doctor will make a 15-20 cm transverse incision in the fold of the lower abdominal wall. The second incision will be made in the lower part of the uterus, which can reduce damage to the uterine body and reduce the risk of re-pregnancy. Vertical incisions are only used in emergencies. Once the amniotic membranes are opened, the fetus and placenta can be removed. Sometimes, in order to help the baby be delivered, the doctor will use the palm of his hand to press on your uterine fundus.

6. Neonatal treatment

Pat the newborn dry and suck out the mucus from the mouth and nose. The pediatrician will examine him and give him an APGAR score to assess his survivability, including heart rate, breathing, reflexes, muscle tone, and skin color. After measuring the weight, height, and head circumference and taking the first footprint of the newborn, you can give the baby to his parents.

7. End of the operation

The uterus and skin of the parturient are sutured layer by layer, and the wound and skin are then sutured. The suture components can be absorbed by the human body and it looks like just a thin line from the outside. The wound will heal in about five or six days. If you do not have a scar-prone constitution, the scar will just be a wrinkle on the skin.

8. Postoperative precautions

1). Lie on your side with your body at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees to the bed. This position can reduce vibration and pulling pain on the incision.

2). Consciousness will be restored after about 3 or 4 hours, and you can practice turning over and sitting up. Remove the catheter after 24 hours and get out of bed and move around slowly.

3). Fasting should be done within 6 hours after surgery, and the food intake should be gradually increased afterwards.

4). You can be discharged from the hospital 5 or 6 days after the operation. Pay attention to the amount of vaginal bleeding, which will be 1 to 3 times more than natural delivery. If you feel unwell, notify the doctor in time.