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Surgery

What to Expect in the Operating Room During Your C-Section

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Operating room

A c-section can be nerve-wracking, but knowing what to expect can go a long way to calming your anxiety. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect in the operating room during your C-section.

Anesthesia

  • The anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss your anesthesia plan for surgery. They will also explain each part of the procedure as it happens.

  • We will ask you to sit on the side of the operating table with your back to the anesthesiologist.

  • What the anesthesiologist will do:

    • Place a blood pressure cuff on your arm and an oxygen monitor on your finger or toe.

    • Clean your back with sterile soap.

    • Ask you to relax your shoulders, put your chin to your chest and stick out your back (curl down over your belly). This will make it easier to place the anesthesia.

    • Inject numbing medicine at the site.

  • Locate the spinal or epidural space and inject the medicine. Tell the anesthesiologist if you start to feel sick to your stomach.

  • Your legs and bottom will start to feel warm and heavy. We will place you on your back very quickly after this.

  • We will begin checking your blood pressure every minute and listening to the heart rate of the baby.

After the Medicine is Injected, Your Surgical Team Will do Several Things at Once:

  • Place a urine catheter into your bladder to empty it. This will not hurt since you will already be numb from the anesthesia. This catheter will be removed after surgery.

  • Place safety straps on your legs.

  • Clean your belly with sterile cleaning soap.

  • Place a sterile blue drape over your body to prevent infection. You will not be able to see the surgery.

  • Perform a pre-surgery safety check.

  • Make sure you are numb enough for surgery.

  • Bring your partner or support person into the operating room. They will be able to sit on a chair beside you at the head of the bed.

  • Once the baby is delivered and the surgical team gives the okay, we will drop the blue drape. You will be able to see and touch your baby through a clear drape.

  • Place your baby skin-to-skin with you. You may be able to start breast/chest feeding if you and baby feel okay.

  • If needed, we will provide extra medical support for your baby.

Contact MetroPartners OBGYN

If you have any questions about your specific c-section, it’s best to consult your provider. Give MetroPartners OBGYN a call and schedule an appointment today if you are in need of gynecological surgery.