When cesarean is planned. Optimal timing of the second caesarean section and possible difficulties

Mom, how are babies born?, - asks four-year-old Nastya.
The uncle cuts the tummy, takes out the lyalechka and that's it, - the mother answers, deciding not to devote the young daughter to all the subtleties of a real delivery. But there is still some truth in her story, because a huge number of babies on the planet were born that way - through a caesarean section.

Why is a woman having a caesarean section? Firstly, there are cases when this is required by conditions that have developed spontaneously, related to the state of health of the mother or baby, or some kind of emergency. Secondly, there are planned operations, the need for which women know long before the birth. We will talk about them in this article.

How should I prepare for a planned caesarean section?

First of all, morally. A woman should, discarding all emotions and worries, calm down and tune in only for the best. It is necessary to trust your doctor (after all, for him, unlike the patient, this is not the first, but a “nennaya” operation) and be glad that very soon the long-awaited baby will sniff sweetly next to him. If, nevertheless, the unrest is very strong, it is worth talking with your husband, girlfriend, and even a psychologist.

When the date of the operation is already very close, in 1-2 weeks, the expectant mother, having collected everything necessary, goes to the maternity hospital. This is necessary in order to carefully conduct examinations to assess the condition of the fetus (ultrasound and cardiotocography), as well as the mother (blood and urine tests, the degree of purity of the vagina (a smear is taken)). In addition, even if a woman has already done such tests, they will still take blood from her to determine the blood type and Rh factor. If doctors find any abnormalities, the woman will be treated with medication.

The doctor will also set the exact date of the operation. As a rule, this day is chosen as close as possible to the expected date of birth, taking into account the condition of the woman and the fetus, as well as the wishes of the expectant mother.

Sometimes, if nothing interferes and the condition of both the mother and the child is satisfactory, so as not to be in the hospital for a long time, the examination can be done before hospitalization, and the hospital can be admitted the day before the planned cesarean section or even directly on the day of the operation.

What happens on the day of an elective caesarean section?

As a rule, such operations are carried out in the morning. Less frequently during the day. Therefore, in the evening, a woman should take a shower and, if necessary, shave her pubic hair. The food that a woman takes for dinner should be light. You can't eat at all in the morning. In the hospital, the nurse will help you to clean the intestines, as before any abdominal surgery.

After that, the anesthesiologist will talk to the woman, who will talk about what and how will happen to her during the operation in terms of pain relief. Most likely, it will be spinal anesthesia, that is, when the operation is performed with the mind of a woman. But, if there are any contraindications, the patient will be offered general anesthesia. Consent to the operation and a certain type of anesthesia is recorded in writing.

How is a planned caesarean section performed?

Before entering the operating room, a woman is given shoe covers and a cap, and is also asked to wear elastic bandages. The latter are necessary to protect a woman from the development of thrombosis. A woman lies naked on the table. First, the anesthesiologist injects the drug, then the medical staff puts a dropper and connects the device to measure blood pressure. A catheter is also placed to drain urine. When all this is ready, the place where the incision will be made is treated with an antiseptic preparation.

Since a screen is installed between the woman's face and the operation site, next to it, if the woman is conscious, there may be a loved one: husband, mother, girlfriend. True, this practice is not allowed in all maternity hospitals, therefore, it is necessary to clarify in advance about the possibility of attending “support groups” at such childbirth.

The procedure for extracting the child lasts no more than 10 minutes. This time is enough to cut the abdominal wall and uterus, get the baby and cut the umbilical cord. Then the purge begins. The doctor separates the placenta, examines the uterine cavity and sews it up. Then he is on the abdominal wall. This seam is processed and a bandage is applied. Above is an ice pack. This will reduce bleeding and stimulate uterine contractions. This completes the operation, and the newly-made mother is transferred to the intensive care unit.

Postoperative period

In the intensive care unit, the woman is under the close attention of doctors. In order to return to normal as soon as possible, and to avoid various complications, various drugs are administered to her. First of all, these are antibiotics and various painkillers. The latter begin to be administered as soon as the effect of anesthesia stops. To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as better contraction of the muscle tissues of the uterus, they also give the necessary medicines. And in order to make up for the loss of fluid, saline is injected into the body of a newly-made mother. At first, a woman may feel pain in the lower abdomen, general weakness, dizziness. Chills and an increased feeling of thirst are possible.

In the first 6-8 hours, the patient should not only get up, but even sit down. After this time, with the help of relatives or medical staff, you can sit on the bed. not very chic. At first, on the first day, you can only drink water. Already on the second, you can treat yourself to low-fat chicken broth (when cooking, the first water is drained) and liquid cereals (oatmeal is especially suitable). The so-called "normal" food can be consumed from the third week, but for now it is necessary to fall in love with diet food.

A day later, the woman is transferred from the intensive care unit to the postpartum unit. There she is with the baby. If there are no complications of any kind, the mother can easily cope with simple tasks: feed the child, wash, change his clothes. But, even if you feel good, you should not overwork.

Approximately 2-3 days after the planned stop anesthesia. But the seam area is carefully treated every day with a disinfectant solution. Sometimes a woman begins to have problems with the intestines. In such cases, the doctor will prescribe laxatives. It can be either a familiar enema or glycerin suppositories. After 4-6 days, a woman needs to take blood and urine tests, conduct an ultrasound scan of the scar, uterus, as well as appendages and adjacent organs. The gynecologist will conduct an external examination to make sure that everything is in order. If the health workers have no complaints about the state of health of the mother and baby, they will be discharged home approximately through them.

Behavior of a woman at home after PCS

Being at home, such a woman especially needs help, because it is simply contraindicated for her to do a lot of work. Especially you need to think about an assistant if the family already has a child. If the eldest is 2-3 years old, he will demand his mother's attention and care with extreme perseverance. A woman should try to pay attention to the first child, avoiding taking him in her arms. It is especially contraindicated to be nervous.

Moving on to a more familiar diet, you still need to monitor the diet. In this regard, you should consult not only with your doctor, but also with a pediatrician.

After a planned caesarean section, you can take a shower after 1-2 weeks. But the bath (not hot!) - only after 1.5 months.

It is necessary to explain to the husband that, at least for 2 months, a woman is contraindicated in large physical exertion and sexual intercourse. Last but not least, you need to think about contraception. The next pregnancy can be planned no earlier than in 2 years.

Specially for Olga Rizak

From Guest

Hello everyone, my first caesarean section was an emergency, although I was preparing to give birth, I went through with contractions, then the doctor came, looked at the chair and said urgently on the operating table, the umbilical loops fell out, they held it with my hands, the operation went quickly, anesthesia was good, but the postoperative period was difficult, everything healed hard .... then 2 years later I had a planned caesarean due to the fact that it was short between the first and second ... unlike the first, everything healed quickly and very well ... and now another 4 years have passed, now I'm waiting for the 3rd I think the baby will also be a planned cesarean .... but of course it is better to give birth yourself, especially if you do not have any complications ...))))

Often during pregnancy, during the next examination, the gynecologist reveals any abnormalities in the expectant mother or her fetus that can threaten their health or even life. In this case, he can decide on the need for operative childbirth, so that everything goes with minimal losses.

A pre-arranged planned caesarean section will allow the woman to get used to this thought and prepare for the operation. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

A planned caesarean section is not the norm. Therefore, you need to know in what cases this operation is performed. There are a number of medical indications for surgical intervention in childbirth. There are a lot of them and they are caused by a variety of factors.

Are you planning to conceive or has it already happened? In this case, study this list to know for sure whether your baby will be born naturally or doctors will insist on an operation.

Maternal health:

incorrect placenta previa;
scar on the uterus;
if the previous caesarean was corporal, the next should be planned;
incision on the uterus T and J-shaped;
any uterine operations: resection, hysterotomy, myomectomy, etc.;
more than two caesarean sections;
HIV infection;
genital herpes that manifested itself less than 6 weeks before the birth of the child;
cardiovascular diseases: arterial hypertension, coarctation of the aorta, its aneurysm, cardiac ventricular dysfunction, pericarditis;
vision problems: retinopathy, perforated corneal ulcer, burns of the mucous membrane of the eye;
pulmonological, neurological, gastroenterological pathologies;
injuries or tumors of the pelvic organs;
cervical cancer;
severe form of late toxicosis;
plastic surgery on the perineum;
genitourinary, intestinal-genitourinary fistulas.

Fetal condition:

breech presentation after 36 weeks;
pelvic or any incorrect position in multiple pregnancies;
transverse presentation;
monoamniotic twins;
growth retardation of one of the babies with multiple pregnancies;
gastroschisis, teratoma, diaphragmatic hernia, twin fusion.

Here are the cases in which a planned caesarean section is traditionally prescribed. True, there are cases when the operation is prescribed at the request of the woman herself. This happens if she is afraid of pain or complications after vaginal delivery. However, doctors oppose such weakness (read our study:) and discourage CS if there is no medical indication for it. Otherwise, you will have to carefully prepare for surgical intervention.

Training

As soon as you learn about the upcoming operation, ask the doctor in detail what the preparation for a planned caesarean section is, which will minimize the negative consequences and undesirable risks after childbirth. It includes several stages. First, you will need to put your body in order throughout your pregnancy. Secondly, immediately a few days before the operation, a number of appropriate measures will need to be taken.

During pregnancy

Be sure to ask the gynecologist who is observing you all the questions you are interested in and worrying about: how long you will be operated on, when you have to go to the hospital, are all your tests in order, etc. This will calm you down, give you confidence, relieve unnecessary worries.
There are special courses designed to prepare women in labor for a planned cesarean. It would be nice if you sign up for them.
Visit your gynecologist regularly.
If you notice any abnormalities in your condition, immediately report them to your doctor.
Eat right.
Lead a healthy lifestyle.
Be physically active, but in moderation, as far as your health condition allows, because it was not in vain that you were scheduled for a planned operation.

We are going to the maternity hospital

Find out in advance and make a list for yourself of what to take to the hospital from things:

documents: passport, referral for a planned caesarean section, exchange card, insurance;
money;
things: a bathrobe, a nightgown with buttons, special bras, a towel, slippers;
hygiene items: pads, disposable diapers, toilet paper, shower cosmetics (preferably natural);
water;
disposable tableware;
for a child: diapers, diapers, sliders, powder;
charged phone.

Before a planned caesarean section, it is better not to shave the pubis itself. First, it's inconvenient. Secondly, you can bring an infection that will complicate the operation. It is better to find out in advance how women in labor are prepared in the hospital where you will be operated on: sometimes midwives prefer to do it themselves, but somewhere they swear if this area turns out to be unprepared. In addition, 2 days before the CS, you will not be able to take solid food, and 12 hours before you eat at all, so that anesthesia does not provoke vomiting.

Knowing how to prepare for the operation effectively and fully, you will no longer be afraid of it, as you will be sure of a successful outcome. You will do everything in your power to help the baby come into this world without complications. In order for the delivery to go perfectly, the date of the planned caesarean section must be scheduled in advance.

Timing

Most women are interested in what week they have a planned caesarean section, because very often doctors are silent until the last moment and delay setting the date of the operation. The fact is that the terms in this case are very individual and depend on a combination of many factors: on the characteristics of pregnancy, the state of health of the mother, the intrauterine development of the fetus, and even the mode of operation of the hospital in which you will be operated on. You can only take into account the following dates.

The norm for a planned cesarean: 39-40 weeks, i.e., the terms are as close as possible to natural childbirth. This is to minimize respiratory distress in the newborn. The first contractions are considered the ideal time for surgery.
Multiple pregnancy and maternal HIV infection: 38 weeks.
Monoamniotic twins: Elective caesarean section at 32 weeks.

In certain cases, the timing of a planned caesarean is not dictated by the child at all. With an incorrect placenta previa, the operation is performed before the first contractions go. There are other reasons when there is no time to wait for natural childbirth - it is too dangerous.

By knowing exactly how many weeks you will have surgery, you will prepare for a specific date. This will lower the anxiety threshold, allow you to maximize the time and effectively prepare for a planned caesarean section, which in this case takes place with minimal risks.

The course of the procedure

It is quite natural that the expectant mother is worried about how the planned cesarean section goes, how painful the operation is, what type of anesthesia will be used, how long it will all last. It is better to discuss all these exciting moments in advance with the doctor so that they do not interfere with enjoying the pregnancy and preparing for the birth of the baby.

Training

Conversation with the doctor, discussion of details.
In the evening, you are allowed to eat something light. In the morning they will not give you breakfast or even a sip of water.
On the day of the planned caesarean section in the morning, they will offer to shave the pubis. They will make an enema (why is it done before childbirth, read).
A catheter will be inserted into the bladder.
Put on a drip of antibiotics.
They will give you an anesthetic injection. The method of anesthesia for a planned cesarean is discussed in advance. Most women in labor want to see the baby in the first minutes of his birth, and therefore choose local anesthesia.

Caesarean

An incision is made. If it is, it is made along the old seam.
The child is removed.
The wound is sutured. This is the longest stage of the operation, requiring the surgeon to perform almost jewelry work. After all, both the cosmetic defect and the healing process will depend on how he sutures.

Rehabilitation

The woman in labor is transferred to the department of anesthesiology and resuscitation for 1-2 days.
They support the body with various drugs that are administered through a dropper.
On day 3-4, in the absence of complications, the young mother is transferred to the ward.
You will also be allowed to get up for 3-4 days.
Weights over 3 kg will not be lifted for 2 months.
In the presence of pain in the lower abdomen, special medications are prescribed.

Planned caesarean section today is a common operation performed by many maternity hospitals, the technique of which has been honed to perfection. Doctors know all the nuances of operative delivery, even if something goes wrong. So do not worry and needlessly be afraid. Trust the doctors, follow all their instructions - and then you will not face any complications.

Possible Complications

Negative consequences of a planned caesarean section are still possible in rare cases. And they can touch the health and life of both the mother and the child. The most common and dangerous are:

profuse blood loss often leads to anemia;
difficulties with lactation, in some cases - its absence;
impossibility;
anesthesia has a harmful effect on the baby;
there is an assumption that a child with any caesarean (planned or emergency) does not produce proteins and hormones, which later have a huge impact on his mental activity and adaptation to the environment;
menstrual disorders;
injury to the abdominal cavity;
infertility;
thrombophlebitis of the veins of the pelvis, endometritis;
uterus removal;
violation of the baby's cerebral circulation.

Complications arise only in cases where the young mother ignored the prescriptions of doctors, when during pregnancy she led an unhealthy lifestyle. If you think first of all about your baby, he will definitely be born healthy, without pathologies, despite the surgical intervention. High-quality, full-fledged preparation for this event will shorten the period of your rehabilitation period after the operation. This will allow you to quickly return to the usual rhythm of life.

It is impossible to give an exact answer at what specific time period a planned caesarean section is performed. In each case, the woman determines the optimal time for the operation on her own. More precisely, not so much the expectant mother as the child - the onset of labor activity is the best evidence of the readiness of the crumbs to leave the mother's womb.

But it was not always so. For decades, the first planned caesarean section has been practiced in domestic medicine at a specific time for all cases - after 40 weeks of pregnancy, that is, a full cycle of gestation. Today, doctors everywhere are moving away from this approach, since it does not provide benefits, and the likelihood of complications only increases.

How is a planned caesarean scheduled?

Only the doctor decides on the need for delivery using an incision on the uterus. Moreover, it can become known both quite early, even before the rounding of the tummy, and shortly before childbirth. Women who are scheduled to have a caesarean section are monitored with particular care.

It is normal practice when the doctor determines the expectant mother to the hospital about a week before the baby is born. With constant monitoring in the hospital, the risks of needing an emergency cesarean, fraught with complications, are minimal.

More often, you will have to lie down on the operating table with the onset of the first, weak contractions. In most cases, this is 39-40 weeks. At this time, a number of problems are solved - hormonally, the woman's body is already ready for breastfeeding, the baby's lungs easily adapt to new conditions.

Second planned cesarean

Although the first operation does not exclude the possibility of carrying and giving birth to a healthy child in the future, a repeated caesarean section is accompanied by a number of difficulties. Firstly, it is somewhat more difficult for the expectant mother to endure pregnancy. Secondly, the risk of a suture divergence from a previous operation is significantly higher after 39 weeks, which requires special attention from doctors.

For this reason, pregnant women are placed in the hospital a little earlier - to preserve the fetus. It is even more difficult to say exactly how long a planned caesarean section is, if it is the second in a row. The reference point is the same - 39-40 weeks. But, as a rule, doctors prefer not to delay, do not wait for the onset of labor - the operation is prescribed in the period from 36 to 39 weeks.

The second cesarean also involves a more complex process of making an incision on the uterus. Since during a planned operation it is necessary to cut horizontally, the new seam will have to be on the old one, on top of it. Scar tissue is more durable, rough, and the likelihood of damage to internal organs - the bladder of the intestine - increases. In most cases, stronger anesthesia is prescribed.

The second operation in a row is a big burden on the female body. At what time to do the first and second planned caesarean section, doctors determine, trying to minimize the risks of subsequent complications. Doctors strongly discourage mothers from trying to conceive again after two births.

A caesarean section can be emergency and planned, that is, carried out at a predetermined time or earlier than this time, or even for a woman who did not have this operation planned. What to expect from operative delivery? How is a woman prepared for it? What are the difficulties in restoring the body after surgery? And what are the reasons for a planned caesarean section?

Usually, a woman will know about a possible operation, if there are any grounds for it, in advance, a few weeks before the expected date of the onset of labor, from the doctor of the antenatal clinic leading her pregnancy. However, it is not up to him to decide whether there will be an operation or not. And it is not the doctor who issues a referral to the hospital for his patient to undergo a planned caesarean section. From the doctor leading the pregnancy, only a referral to the maternity hospital is required, namely, to the department of pathology of pregnancy. The question about the operation, its necessity, timing, anesthesia is taken directly by the doctors of the maternity hospital.

Usually, a planned cesarean is done at a time as close as possible to the expected date of birth. But without special indications not on weekends or holidays. This is especially true in the conditions of small maternity hospitals in small towns, where there are no anesthesiologists constantly on duty in the maternity hospital.

Upon admission to the department of pregnancy pathology, a woman is carefully examined. Even if she had already taken urine and blood tests before hospitalization, she will definitely retake everything. In addition to general tests, they take blood from a vein for HIV, RW (syphilis), hepatitis, biochemical analysis, sugar, blood group and Rh factor. For a long time, especially with low blood pressure, in the morning, on an empty stomach, when donating blood from a vein, a woman may become ill. If you were already unwell at the time of blood donation, ask the nurse to take her sample from you in a supine position, on the couch. Eat a piece of chocolate right after. It will quickly restore your vigor.

Preparing for a planned caesarean also includes going around different doctors. Necessarily ophthalmologist, therapist, otolaryngologist. An ECG is performed the day before surgery. An interview with an anesthesiologist. If hospitalization is carried out a few days before surgery, a woman may be given a dropper with saline. This is necessary to saturate the body with fluid, because during surgery a large blood loss is expected. This liquid will go to replenish it. In addition, as a standard, women are given intravenous injections of Piracetam, a drug that improves cerebral blood supply.

In the evening before the operation, the woman is given an enema. Bowel cleansing is repeated in the morning. A catheter is placed in the bladder. Well, then, the work of doctors and honey. sisters. How a planned cesarean operation goes - how successful it is depends on them, well, on the individual health characteristics of the woman in labor and the course of her pregnancy. The woman is given spinal (epidural) anesthesia or endotracheal (general) anesthesia. The incision of the peritoneum is usually performed in the lower segment of the abdomen, transverse, rarely vertical. The second heals worse and gives more complications. Therefore, it is performed only when an emergency caesarean section is performed, especially in case of premature pregnancy, or planned, but with a life-threatening condition of the woman in labor or the child. This type of incision is bad for its unaesthetic and long-term healing. This not only reduces the quality of life of a woman in the first months after surgery, but also negatively affects the onset and course of the next pregnancy. So, complications after a planned caesarean section in the form of an inconsistent scar on the uterus, in the case of a horizontal incision, are rare. True, not only the type of incision plays a role here, but also the operation and the postoperative period.

Thus, the following emerge pros and cons of a planned caesarean.

Pros:

no labor pain;
there is no fear that the child will have a birth injury;
no ruptures of the perineum, cervix.

Minuses:

long recovery after caesarean section, healing of sutures and problems in the form of hernias and other surgical complications;
problems with the establishment of breastfeeding (due to the untimely application of the child to the breast and its rare sucking);
often developing endometritis (inflammation of the uterus), requiring antibiotic treatment - common consequences of a caesarean section;
possible divergence of the scar during the next pregnancy;
postoperative pain;
the need to use contraception, pregnancy planning not earlier than two years after surgery.

Indications for a planned caesarean section and the timing of its implementation

There are many reasons why doctors may decide to operate on a woman. These are just some of the most common ones.

1. Clinically narrow pelvis. This is the case when there is a very strong narrowing of it. The doctor clearly understands that the child cannot be born on his own. But more often, some narrowing of the pelvis is diagnosed, in which it is still possible to give birth to a small child on your own.

2. High degree of myopia (nearsightedness). The question of the operation is decided after consultation with an ophthalmologist. It often happens that a woman is still allowed into natural childbirth, but with the use of epidural anesthesia and they try to shorten the period of attempts as much as possible.

3. The threat of divergence of the scar on the uterus. At what time is a planned caesarean section done and how it goes depends on the viability of the scar on the uterus, that is, its thickness throughout. If there is a suspicion of its failure, the operation can be postponed to an earlier date, 37-38 weeks.

4. Breech presentation of the fetus or other, not head. A planned caesarean section with a breech presentation of the fetus is done if the woman is carrying a boy. Fortunately, modern ultrasound machines make it possible to almost accurately determine the sex of a child. Or if the baby weighs more than 3.5 kg and the woman is nulliparous. Girls can be allowed to give birth on their own to multiparous women if the weight of the child is less than 4 kg, and in the maternity hospital there is the possibility of an emergency operation. The transverse position of the fetus is an absolute indication for surgery.

5. Symphysite. A planned caesarean section at 39 weeks or even earlier is done with this pathology. The term depends on the degree of divergence of the pelvic bones of a pregnant woman and her well-being. With pronounced symphysitis, independent childbirth is contraindicated. An accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of ultrasound data.

6. Non-occurrence of labor activity, despite ongoing "stimulating" therapy. Sometimes it happens that the fetus already has signs of “overripeness”, there is reason to believe that it has hypoxia, there is little amniotic fluid, but childbirth does not begin in any way. Then, especially if a woman is over 28 years old and is giving birth for the first time, doctors may recommend that the expectant mother be relieved of the burden by surgery. What week is a planned caesarean section done in this case? Usually, adverse signs of a post-term pregnancy appear at 41-42 weeks. That is, the timing for the operation is individual.

7. Some cardiovascular diseases, heart defects. If a woman is generally well pregnant, the maternity hospital may suggest that she be hospitalized immediately at the onset of labor, or when, as a result of examining the cervix, it becomes clear that an independent birth is about to begin. At what time is a planned repeated caesarean section done - you ask? As close as possible to the onset of natural childbirth. Indeed, otherwise, the likelihood of difficulties with adapting to the external environment in the fetus remains high. Sometimes even full-term babies who were born by caesarean section, but prematurely, have problems with spontaneous breathing. That is, often a planned second cesarean is done for a period of about 40 weeks, when the amniotic fluid leaves, or the woman begins to feel cramping pains.

Less often, the reasons for the operation are varicose veins in the vaginal area, pronounced hemorrhoids (there is a possibility of thrombosis of the nodes).

Terms, duration and course of the operation

All pregnant women experience fear of childbirth. And even worse, if the birth will take place not in a natural way, but by caesarean section. But to make it not so scary, let's figure out why a caesarean section is done, how long the operation is usually performed, how long it takes and consider the entire course of the operation.

During pregnancy monitoring, the doctor makes a recommendation on how the birth should go. If a woman's pregnancy is proceeding normally, then most likely, childbirth will take place naturally. If there are any abnormalities during the course of pregnancy or during the birth itself, then doctors may decide to carry out the birth using a caesarean section.

Distinguish between emergency and planned caesarean section:

given during pregnancy. In this case, the woman in labor prepares for the operation in advance, undergoes all the necessary examinations and, at a predetermined period of pregnancy, goes to the pathology department. The most common indications for a planned caesarean section are:

premature detachment of the placenta;
hemolytic disease of the fetus;
multiple pregnancy;
severe form of preeclampsia;
absolutely narrow pelvis;
transverse position of the fetus, etc.

emergency caesarean section is carried out with unforeseen complications directly during childbirth that threaten the health of the mother or child. The health of both the child and the mother may depend on the timeliness of the decision to perform the operation. In such situations, the qualifications of the doctor and the determination of the woman in labor are very important (after all, the operation cannot be performed without her consent).

Optimal timing

A planned caesarean section is usually done at 40 weeks pregnant. This is the optimal time for the operation - with a sufficient mass, the fetus is already considered full-term, and the child's lungs are sufficiently developed so that he can breathe on his own.

With a second cesarean section, the timing of the operation is shifted down - it is done a couple of weeks earlier than the planned delivery date, usually this is the 38th week of pregnancy.

This approach avoids the onset of contractions, which reduces the risk of various complications during the operation. Remember that only a doctor can correctly determine how long to do a caesarean section in each case.

Preparing for the operation

A woman in labor who is scheduled for a planned caesarean is usually referred to the hospital about a week before the operation. If a woman wants to stay at home, then she can come to the hospital on the day when the operation will take place. But this is permissible only in the absence of severe complications and with good health of the mother and child.

Postoperative period

After the operation, painkillers are usually prescribed, as a woman experiences severe pain after a caesarean section. Also, depending on the condition of the woman, the doctor may prescribe various medications, such as antibiotics, or supplements that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

You can get up after the operation no earlier than six hours later. It is also recommended to buy a postoperative bandage, which will greatly facilitate the condition when walking.

Nutrition after the operation should be special - on the first day after a cesarean section, you can drink only plain water.

On the second day, a woman can try soups, cereals and other liquid foods.

On the third day, with proper recovery, you can eat any food that is allowed during lactation.

If you are still scheduled for a planned caesarean section, then do not be afraid. Most often, the fear of a caesarean is due to a lack of awareness about the progress of the operation. Knowing what exactly she has to go through, it is much easier for a woman to psychologically prepare herself for the upcoming events.