c-section Archives

A C-section, postpartum preeclampsia, and infertility were not what Katherine had in mind when she and her husband decided to have a baby. When Katherine and her husband Thomas began trying to conceive, she had no idea it would not come easy. After a year of trying, she still wasn’t pregnant, so she scheduled an appointment with Cherokee Women’s Health. She immediately knew she was in the very best hands. Her doctor recommended that Katherine take Clomid, an oral medication used to treat infertility. Soon after starting Clomid, Katherine learned she was pregnant! She and her husband were overjoyed and so excited for this next chapter of their lives. An Emergency C-Section Brings Baby Claire Into the World The next nine months flew by, with a healthy and smooth pregnancy. Before she knew it, she was 40 weeks pregnant, and it was time to bring her little girl into the world. After her check-up appointment they decided it was best to schedule an elective induction for later in the week since she was past her due date. When it was time to induce, Katherine received an epidural, and when she was fully dilated, she pushed for several hours, but unfortunately, her baby kept turning. “Since she was pushing 40 weeks in there, I started to feel miserable and uncomfortable. Scheduling an induction was the best move for me, and we’ve always been flexible. I just went to the hospital relaxed and calm. So relaxed, we actually sat around playing card games. We were so excited to meet our baby girl!” – Katherine, referring to her induction After several hours with no progress being made, my OB/GYN explained that a C-section was the safest option for both the baby and Katherine. A C-section was decided and soon after, baby Claire was born! She was healthy as can be, weighing 7 lbs., 1 oz. “While I went into the hospital expecting to deliver her vaginally, I was totally on board with a C-section. I trusted my doctor and it didn’t matter how my baby got here, as long as she was safe and healthy.” – Katherine recalling the delivery Postpartum Preeclampsia Leads to Weight Gain and Hormone Fluctuations After Katherine and Claire were home, Katherine started to notice her hormones and weight gain seemed out of control. When she went to Cherokee Women’s for her follow-up appointment, she discussed these issues with her doctor. It turned out she actually weighed more than she did when going into delivery with baby Claire. My doctor explained that her symptoms weren’t normal and that they were a sign of postpartum preeclampsia. She advised Katherine to keep monitoring her blood pressure at home and if she experienced any drastic changes, to go to the hospital. It was on that same night that Katherine’s blood pressure went over 180, and she immediately left for the hospital. “I’m so thankful for that follow-up appointment. I would not have known to check my blood pressure if it weren’t for my doctor’s expertise. I would tell myself it’s just hormones, but no, maybe something is going on. I really didn’t know. Claire is my first baby, so it’s kind of hard to know what’s normal and not,” – Katherine on the importance of monitoring blood pressure Katherine’s doctor agreed that her diagnosis was unusual, so she was referred her to an ENT specialist, where it was determined that her thyroid be removed. Thanks to the referral and the expertise of the doctors at Cherokee Women’s, Katherine’s levels returned to normal and she’s beyond grateful. Thankful for Cherokee Women’s Health “I don’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for the expertise of Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. My doctor was very thorough, patient, and listened to all my questions, plus questions you didn’t know you even had. She’s very knowledgeable and explains everything in a way that is easy to understand for first-time moms. In fact, I will use Cherokee Women’s Health for all my future children as well, because she was just so wonderful.” – Katherine on her OB/GYN and Cherokee Women’s Health

C-Section – What to Expect

When pregnant women hear the word cesarean, fear can build up not knowing what to expect. Here, we explain why you might need one and what to expect during the procedure. Why You Might Need a C-Section Your OB/GYN might need to perform a scheduled or unscheduled C-section, depending on the health of you and your baby. Some, but not all, reasons to need a scheduled C-section include: An illness or congenital condition in your baby that might make delivering vaginally more difficult. If your baby is too large to move safely through the birth canal If your baby is in the breech position and can’t be moved You’re having triplets or more Placentia previa, or when the placenta is blocking the cervical opening or abruptio placenta, when it has separated from the uterine wall. If you develop pre-eclampsia, which is pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, and treatment isn’t working. In addition to these situations, your doctor might decide that the safest route for you and your baby is an unscheduled C-section. This might happen if you were laboring normally in the early stages of labor and then quit progressing, or if you or your baby start showing signs of distress or have other complications. What to Expect During the C-Section Procedure One of the first things to happen before a C-section is anesthesia. This is usually either an epidural or spinal block so the lower half of your body is numb but you will remain awake. Next, you will be prepped by shaving your abdomen and pubic hair in the area of the incision, and and the operating room staff will insert a catheter into your bladder. They’ll also place sterile drapes on your stomach to cover the actual incision. Once you’re completely numb, the doctor will make a horizontal incision about the length of your middle finger just above your pubic hair line. Then, the doctor makes another incision in the lower part of your uterus, and you will probably feel a fair amount of tugging as the operating room staff move your baby into position so that the doctor can safely and gently pull your baby’s head out. Next, the umbilical cord is cut and the surgeon removes your placenta, followed by the process of stitching you back up, starting with your uterus then the outer layers and skin are realigned and stitched back up either with dissolving stitches or staples. Most new Moms rarely notice this part however, as they’re bonding with their newest addition to the family. Watch this short video from the Mayo Clinic to see what to expect during a C-section procedure. (Please note: Certain parts of this video are graphic). After a C-Section Women can expect many of the same symptoms during the recovery from a C-section as they would have from a vaginal delivery, including afterpains as your uterus contracts, postpartum bleeding, discomfort in the perinal area, and exhaustion. On the second day, they will remove the catheter, and you’ll be able to try and walk around and go to the bathroom. The typical hospital stay for a C-section is 3-4 days so the hospital staff can effectively monitor you post-surgery. After two weeks, you will have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to check the incision, and at six weeks you’ll have a postpartum visit. Communicating With Your Doctor If you’re concerned about having a C-section delivery, talk to your doctor or midwife about your labor preferences and have a clear plan in place. Discuss any concerns about your pregnancy that might affect your ability to deliver vaginally and talk to your doctor about your thoughts on C-section. By having an open dialogue during your last few prenatal visits, you can be sure you’re on the same page to providing the best care for you and your little one.

c-section

A C-Section & Postpartum Preeclampsia

C-Section – What to Expect

Find us on

Locations

Patient Portal

Appointments

Credit Card Financing

Cherokee Women's Health

WARNING: Mature Content