What happens during a c-section?

Giving your consent

The doctor or midwife will explain what will happen and ask you to sign a consent form. This describes what happens before, during and after the c-section. It also explains the risks of the c-section and the anaesthetic.

If your c-section is planned, you will sign the consent form at an appointment before your operation. Ask your doctor to explain anything you do not understand before you sign the form.

If you’re having an emergency c-section and your baby needs to be delivered quickly, you may either sign a consent form or give verbal consent.  If there’s time, your midwife or doctor can answer any questions you or your birth partner have about the operation before you give consent. 

Anaesthetic during a c-section

When you’re in the operating theatre, you’re likely to have either a spinal or epidural anaesthetic. This is an injection in your spine that numbs the lower part of your body. 

You will either lie on your side or sit leaning forward, curving your back, while the anaesthetist inserts a very fine needle into your spine.

“When I was having the spinal anaesthetic, I had to keep very still. I was well supported by the medical team but I found it a bit overwhelming and I got a bit tearful as it hit me that I was about to meet my baby for the first time!”
Laura

Most women have a spinal anaesthetic because it starts to work quickly. If you’re having an emergency c-section, the anaesthetist will usually top up an existing epidural with a stronger anaesthetic. 

You may have a painkiller called diamorphine injected into your spine at the same time as your spinal or epidural anaesthetic. This reduces the amount of pain relief you need after the operation. 

You will be awake throughout the operation. You won’t feel any pain but you may feel some pressure or tugging sensations. Tell the anaesthetist if you feel any pain.

“I didn’t feel any pain during the c-section (I didn’t even know they had started!) but I did feel a pressure, pushing down on the top of my bump as they lifted the baby out. This was uncomfortable but very quick.”
Laura

If you can’t have a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, or if your baby needs to be delivered very quickly, you may need a general anaesthetic. This means you will be asleep for the operation. Your birth partner won’t usually be able to go into the operating theatre but they should be able to be with you in the recovery room.

The c-section operation

If you’re having a planned c-section, the midwife will ask you to put on a hospital gown and walk to the operating theatre.

Your birth partner can usually stay with you throughout a planned or emergency c-section. The midwife or operating assistant will give them a top, trousers and hat to wear in the theatre for hygiene reasons.

In the operating theatre

There will be lots of people in the operating theatre, including 2 obstetricians (who will do the operation), an anaesthetist, a midwife and other support staff.

You will lie on your back on the operating table. The table is tilted so you’re leaning on to your left side. This reduces the risk of your blood pressure dropping during the operation. 

You will have: 

• fluids through a needle in your arm (a drip), to stop you getting dehydrated and to reduce the risk of low blood pressure during the operation
• anti-sickness medicine to stop you feeling or being sick
• a small tube (catheter) into your bladder to drain urine – this will stay in place for at least 12 hours and until you feel able to walk to the toilet.

The top part of your pubic hair may be shaved or clipped. Do not do this yourself at home in case it causes an infection. Read more about how to prepare for a c-section.

“Since I was chatting away to the anaesthetist and my husband, the surgery itself seemed quick, and all I felt was a bit of jostling and tugging while the surgeons worked behind the cloth.”
Annie. Read more about Annie's c-section experience.

The operation

The doctor will make a cut just below your bikini line and into the womb. They will then lift your baby out. There will be a screen between your head and lower body so you can’t see the operation but you can ask for it to be lowered so you can see your baby being born. You may want to ask your birth partner or one of the theatre staff to take some photos of this moment.

If you don’t want to have a screen up during the operation, speak to your doctor in advance to find out if this is possible.

The doctor then removes the placenta and closes your wound using stitches, staples or surgical glue. 

The doctor should wait for 1-5 minutes before clamping the cord, to increase the amount of blood your baby gets from the placenta. This is called delayed or optimal cord clamping. you may want to include this in your birth plan.

Your healthcare professional will wait to cut the cord (or for your birth partner to cut the cord, if that’s what you want) before cleaning and checking your baby’s health, and passing them to you for a cuddle.

The midwife will check your baby and dry them to help them stay warm, before placing them on your chest. This early skin-to-skin contact helps you bond with your baby and can help you start to breastfeed.  

If you’re not able to hold your baby in the operating theatre, you can usually have skin-to-skin contact after the operation. Your birth partner can also have skin-to-skin contact with your baby. The whole operation takes about an hour.

“I asked for the surgeon to delay the cord clamping. It was very peaceful until the cord was cut and he began to scream! I had asked for him to be placed on my chest but I actually found this quite suffocating because I was lying flat and didn’t have much room, so my husband held him next to me.”
Laura

Read about what happens after a c-section.