Top 14 Things to Know About Cesarean Section for Expecting Mothers

1. Reasons to Choose Cesarean Section

Normally, you should consider a cesarean section when a vaginal birth poses risks to either the mother or the baby.

Ultrasound results and tests throughout pregnancy can help determine valid reasons for choosing a cesarean section, such as the following:

• The baby has some abnormalities and needs to be delivered quickly.
• The mother has a medical condition (such as pre-eclampsia or diabetes) or is carrying a disease that can be transmitted to the baby during vaginal birth, such as HIV-positive status, hepatitis, or infections in the genital area.
• The baby is in a breech (feet-first) or transverse position and is deeply stuck in the pelvic area, unable to rotate.
• For triplets or more (usually even for twins).
• The mother has had a previous cesarean section - second cesarean section - or has had a previous uterine surgery.

2. Mental Preparation before Cesarean Section

Mothers, don't think that C-sections are absolutely safe. So, stay mentally prepared and calm. Know that C-sections are similar to vaginal births, and after giving birth, you will experience discharge, pain due to uterine involution, bleeding, pain, and fatigue.

After a C-section, mothers need specialized care from a doctor with pain relievers, antibiotics, uterine involution, and wound care for absolute safety. Moms, rest assured, these medications won't affect your breast milk, so try to breastfeed your baby as early as possible after birth. If you find the incision too painful, inform the doctor to use pain relievers safe for the mother.

Nowadays, most incisions are sutured with absorbable threads, and doctors often perform cosmetic stitching under the skin, so there's no need for thread cutting, or they use biological glue, eliminating the need for stitches.

Before the surgery, the abdominal area where the incisions will be made (usually around the bikini line) will be cleaned to prevent infections caused by various bacteria on your skin surface. You will be given local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Then, you'll have an intravenous saline drip (usually for about 24 hours) to maintain hydration, and a catheter will be inserted into your urethra to drain urine (usually needed for about 8 hours). In emergency cases, preparations for the C-section can be initiated within seconds.

Normally, you'll spend a maximum of one hour in the operating room. Unless it's an emergency, your partner will be encouraged to stay beside you when you are on the table (following certain operating room regulations and wearing a sterile coat).

The doctor will make an incision in the abdominal area (usually along the bikini line, in the lower part of the uterus). The baby will be lifted out through the incision, usually with the assistance of forceps, and amniotic fluid from the baby's nose and mouth will drain before the baby is fully lifted up.

The process of delivering the baby happens quite quickly, within the first 5 to 10 minutes. After that, the placenta is removed, and you will be given oxytocin to help the uterus contract and minimize blood loss. Most of the C-section time is devoted to suturing the uterine incision and various layers of abdominal tissue, muscles, and skin. Then, the midwife will quickly bring the baby to you or your partner for holding.

Post-cesarean hygiene is crucial, ensuring not only a clean body but also aiding in the mother's postpartum recovery. However, it's important to adhere to certain requirements for personal hygiene: Mothers can have a full-body shower around 3-4 days after giving birth, but it should be quick, lasting 5-7 minutes each time. Avoid soaking in a bathtub or staying in water for too long. Particularly during personal hygiene, extra care is needed for the incision to prevent dangerous infections to the mother's health.

After childbirth, mothers need to shower daily to maintain cleanliness, prevent infections, and can have a full-body shower 3-4 days after giving birth. During the shower, keep it brief, lasting 5-10 minutes, avoiding baths or prolonged immersion in water. The bathroom should be well-ventilated, and it's recommended to shower with warm water regardless of the outside temperature. After the shower, quickly dry off and wear full-necked, long-sleeved clothes. Mothers can wash their hair, but it should be a quick wash, and it's best to use a hairdryer to dry the hair quickly. Avoid bathing and washing hair simultaneously. It's advisable to shower around 9-10 in the morning and wash the hair in the afternoon or around noon to prevent dizziness and potential falls due to prolonged movement and bending the head.

Hygiene of the genital area should be done at least 3 times a day in the morning, afternoon, and evening before bedtime.

Postoperative care after a cesarean section leads to postpartum recovery, requiring more time compared to a vaginal birth. Therefore, families need to pay attention and follow the proper recovery regimen for the postpartum mother. Obstetric experts recommend that mothers after a C-section should drink plenty of filtered water and consume easily digestible foods like porridge until they can tolerate solid foods. Afterward, they can gradually incorporate other nutritious foods to ensure their health.

On the first day after a C-section, mothers should especially focus on their diet. They should only consume filtered water, sugary water, and eat thin meat porridge until they can tolerate more varied foods such as milk and fast foods like pho, hu tieu, noodles, etc. Pay attention to consuming protein-rich and calcium-rich foods. Also, drink plenty of water to ensure an adequate milk supply for breastfeeding.

The provision of nutrients for postpartum mothers needs special attention. It determines the time and course of healing for the mother's surgical incision. Postpartum mothers need to intake sufficient water, vitamins, minerals, and proteins. They should diversify their daily meals to avoid monotony.

Along with recommended foods and beverages, postpartum mothers after a C-section should also be cautious about limiting certain foods, such as sticky rice, spinach, cold foods, etc., as they can impact the surgical incision and the body's digestion during the recovery period.

After a C-section, lying at an incline is the most suitable position at this time. Lie inclined to one side and place a pillow behind your back to form a 20-30 degree angle with the bed. This position will significantly reduce the pain compared to lying flat, as it minimizes unnecessary friction that causes mother's pain.

You can lie straight and use a pillow, but it is still advisable to incline your head to one side, possibly with a pillow behind your back (even better when combined with a hot salt bag) or use a blanket to cushion behind your back to create a 20-30 degree angle with the bed. The purpose is to reduce friction to the incision and alleviate pain when shifting the body, making it more comfortable for mothers.

Lying flat often gives a comfortable feeling. However, after the anesthesia wears off post-surgery, the effects of pain relief diminish, and lying flat under the bed will feel more painful, as the uterus contracts. Therefore, mothers should lie inclined and prop a high pillow behind the back to create a 20-30 degree incline, reducing body movement, helping the incision hurt less, and heal faster.