Information and preliminary talk
If general anaesthesia is not required for medical reasons, the caesarean section is usually performed under local anaesthesia in the area of the spinal cord (spinal anaesthesia). In this way, you will be awake and can experience your child's first moments. To help you prepare for the birth, you will be given an appointment for the caesarean section as well as an appointment for the anaesthetic consultation when you register for the birth.
Preparations at home
Fill in all information and consent forms in advance and bring them along to the C-section.
Stay fasting from 6 a.m. on the day of the operation and abstain from all food and drink. Remove all body jewellery such as chains, rings or piercings. If you wish, you can shave yourself in the area of the planned incision.
Admission and preparation
On the day of the operation you will be prepared for the caesarean section in a room in the delivery suite. A CTG (cardiotocography) will be written for this. The so-called 'contraction recorder' simultaneously records the contractions and the heartbeat rate of the unborn child. If necessary, an ultrasound examination is also carried out.
Via a vein access you will receive fluid to stabilise your circulation. If not already done, the attending midwife will shave the incision area and fit you with a surgical shirt.
If your accompanying person is present during the caesarean section, they will also receive surgical clothing. In the case of general anaesthesia, we recommend that the accompanying person waits outside the operating theatre. He or she can then look after the baby while you are still being cared for.
Caesarean section and birth
In the operating theatre, the surgical team is already waiting for you. ECG electrodes and a blood pressure cuff are attached to monitor circulation during the caesarean section. A spinal anaesthetic will be administered first and a bladder catheter will be placed just before the Caesarean section is performed.
After disinfecting the abdomen, the operating area is covered with a cloth. Your accompanying person will then be placed at your head end while the midwife behind the towel welcomes your baby. Before the operation starts, the effect of the anaesthetic is checked once again.
Then it only takes a few minutes until your child is born. After the birth, you will be allowed to greet your baby briefly. Then it will be examined by paediatricians in the first care room before you can take it in your arms again.
Monitoring in the delivery room
After the Caesarean section, you and your baby will remain in the delivery room for about two hours for monitoring.
Your baby will be with you during this time, and you can also put your baby on your breast for the first time. You can also drink small amounts again and receive painkillers if necessary.
After monitoring in the delivery room, you and your baby will be transferred to the maternity ward.
Further course in the maternity ward
We recommend that you and your baby are cared for on the ward for about four days after a Caesarean section.
In addition to daily visits to the doctor, nursing staff are available to help you with your mobilisation and to care for your child. To prevent and avoid thromboses, you will receive a heparin injection every day.
Our ward also offers family rooms for accompanying persons. If you are interested, please ask for availability and conditions when you are admitted to the delivery room.
The final consultation will take place on the day of your discharge. Prior to this we have also carried out the U2 examination of your child.