Caesarean Birth explained

caesarean birth

What happens after my baby is born?

Your baby will be placed directly on your chest so that you can have a cuddle, or If for some reason you are unable to hold your baby she will be given to your partner to hold.  

Babies born by caesarean are often a little colder than babies born vaginally, so they need to be well wrapped up. 

Your baby will be given an Apgar score one minute and five minutes after he's born. The score measures your baby’s wellbeing. If there has been concern about your baby's health, a paediatrician will do the checks. Sometimes babies need oxygen or to go to special care for a while. 

You'll be given the hormone oxytocin via a drip to help your uterus contract and reduce blood loss. Your doctor will gently tug the umbilical cord to pull out the placenta. This will be checked to make sure it is complete before you're stitched up. 

Finally, your skin wound will be closed with stitches or staples and when you're ready, you'll be moved into the recovery room where you, your partner and, if all is well, your baby or babies can be together.

Following the birth

You may start shivering, because your body temperature drops during the operation. The anaesthetic affects your body's ability to regulate your temperature and theatres are often kept cool. 

The shivering is usually harmless and only lasts about half an hour. The midwife or nurse will warm you up with blankets and fluids.

Your midwife will ensure that you are comfortable and give you pain relief. During the first few hours you will be closely cared for and have frequent observations of your blood pressure, pulse and temperature to check that you are recovering from the operation well.

How safe is caesarean birth compared with vaginal birth?

In most cases, caesarean section is classed as safe but like all types of operations, it does carry some risk of complications. You have a higher risk of complications after a Caesarean if you are obese, have had previous surgery on your tummy or already have a medical condition.

What are the main risks of a caesarean section? 


There is a risk of wound infection, the symptom are; redness swelling, discomfort and discharge from the wound. It is important that you seek advice from you midwife or doctor if you have any of these symptomsThere is also a risk of getting an infection in the lining of the womb, the symptoms would be increased vaginal bleeding and increased vaginal discharge, again, it is very important that you seek advice from your doctor or midwife.


The main disadvantage of Caesarean birth is increased pain after the operation. You're more likely to have pain in the wound and discomfort in your belly for a few weeks after the operation, but prior to leaving the hospital you will be given medication to reduce this discomfort. 

Blood clots

All surgery carries a risk of developing a blood clot. If the clot lodges in the lungs it can be life-threatening. Signs of a problem include a cough or shortness of breath or pain or swelling in your calf. Call your doctor if you have any of these signs after your caesarean.

Serious complications are thankfully rare. They include: injury to the bladder, to the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder (ureters) or to the bowel. Very rarely the womb must be removed (hysterectomy) to stop severe blood loss.   

Most Caesareans are done without putting you to sleep, with an epidural or a spinal. These are safer for you and your baby than putting you to sleep with a general anaesthetic. However, having any anaesthetic involves a small risk. Rarely the anaesthetic can cause a severe headache or nerve damage both of which usually only last a few days.

What are the risks to my baby after a Caesarean? 

Occasionally some babies have breathing problems after a Caesarean, but this is more common in babies born before 39weeks. Rarely babies have a cut to the skin which may have happened accidentally when the womb was opened, is usually heals very quickly.

Will having a caesarean affect future pregnancies? 

Once you've had one Caesarean, you're more likely to have another Caesarean in future pregnancies. However, for many women a vaginal birth is possible after a previous Caesarean (VBAC). 

Having had a Caesarean slightly increases your risk of having a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia) in future pregnancies. There is a very small risk of the scar on your uterus breaking open (uterine rupture) in future pregnancies or births, but this rarely happens.


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