Health encyclopaedia

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How is it performed? of Caesarean section

Caesarean sections are usually done by making a horizontal incision (cut) in the lower abdomen along the ‘bikini line’ which allows another horizontal incision to be made in the wall of the womb to deliver the baby. The low incision avoids weakening the womb muscles unnecessarily and allows the operation to be performed more than once on the same woman, if necessary.

The operation is performed under a general, spinal or epidural anaesthetic; the last two of which involve the injection of local anaesthetic into the fluid that surrounds the spine (dura mater).  Local anaesthetics numb the body from the waist down and allow the mother to stay awake, but free of pain, during the operation. In emergencies a vertical abdominal and womb incision may be used.

Once the baby has been delivered through the incision made into the womb, the placenta soon separates and is also removed. The wall of the womb is swabbed and closed with stitches that will later safely dissolve. The abdominal wound is then closed in layers.

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