Caesarean section is a very commonly carried out obstetric procedure to delivery your baby. Caesarean section is carried out where its benefits outweigh its risks, and the decision is made in conjunction with the mother, obstetrician, midwife and anaesthetist.
Caesarean section can either be planned or organised urgently in certain circumstances. As with any procedure, caesarean section comes with risks which can affect both the mother and the baby. The maternal risks include post-operative pain and infection of the wound, and the risks to the baby include injury to the baby and breathing difficulties.
The form of anaesthesia most commonly administered is epidural or spinal. The operation itself usually takes less than an hour. If there are no complications, you will stay in hospital for up to 2 days. Time to return to normal activities varies between women, the average time is around 4-6 weeks after surgery.
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