How is a Cesarean done? Is it safe?

Women’s pelvises have not grown smaller in these last 50 years. Nor have we lost the natural hormonal ability to go into labor.

So what is going on?

via Carol Ward, M.D. of Mindful Mama

“She had a cesarean.” How many times have you heard this?

In the last 50 years, the cesarean rate has increased from five to 30 percent of all childbirths in the US. It’s nearly 90 percent in some South American countries. Almost all voluntary.

For the next three weeks, we will explore cesarean sections from various angles. We’ve decided to begin by answering the question: “How is a cesarean section done?”

Step 1: Local anesthetic is injected through the tough casing around the spinal cord, an epidural is given, or the patient is given general anesthesia.

Step 2: A sterilizing solution is painted onto the skin in the area of the incision.

Step 3: The incision is made through the skin—either vertically between the navel and the pubic bone, or horizontally along the bikini line.

Step 4: The incision penetrates the fascia, the tough layer that holds the abdomen together.

Step 5: The rectus muscles, two parallel muscles thinly attached to each other beneath the fascia (your six-pack abs) are divided.

Step 6: The peritoneum, the layer lining the abdominal cavity, is exposed and opened, revealing the uterus.

Step 7: The peritoneum layer positioned over the uterus and above the bladder is opened. The upper bladder is pushed off of the lower uterus.

Step 8: The uterine muscle is incised horizontally (usually), low on the front beneath the top of the bladder.

Step 9: The operator puts a hand into the uterus (kind of like like a shoehorn), and applies pressure on the top of the uterus. The baby’s head slips through the incision, quickly followed by the rest of the baby’s body. Baby’s mouth and nose are suctioned, the cord is quickly clamped and cut, and the baby is passed off the table to the waiting staff.

…for more, head on over to our friends at Mindful Mama.