Risks and Recovery after Cesarean Surgery

8.09.2010 | By: J.P.

What are the risks of cesarean surgery? How long will it take you to recover? You can find more information in the article below.

A cesarean section/c-section has its own risks and consequences just like any other operation. (Photoxpress)

What are the potential complications after cesarean surgery?

The positive side of cesarean surgery is that it saves lives, but it’s still surgery and it has its own risks and consequences. These risks are posed by anesthesia, heavy bleeding and consequently the need for transfusion, infections, damage caused to the organs located near the womb (e.g. the bladder), problems with blood clotting and a blood vessel in the lungs blocked by amniotic fluid, which can result in a mother’s and/or baby’s death. A common c-section risk is chronic pain where the incisions were made or insensitivity to touch in the area above and below the incisions. Problems arise in 10-20% of cases, but they’re generally minor complications. A c-section also poses a higher risk to babies because of diseases, as opposed to those who are born vaginally. Babies delivered by c-section are often born prematurely and, in many cases, they also have breathing problems (the flow of air in and out of the lungs is obstructed, lung volume is reduced, and they lack the substance that reduces the surface tension of the lungs and helps them breathe).

How long will it take to recover after cesarean surgery?

If a cesarean surgery was performed without any complications, wounds on the abdomen heal within 5 to7 days after the external stitches are removed. In the first week, the potential complications are various wound infections, bruises in the abdominal cavity and similar. Abscess formation in the lymph nodes can appear later on if wounds don’t heal properly. The abscesses on the surface may burst and discharge pus even if the wound seems to be healed. If the abscesses don’t burst by themselves, this is done surgically. It’s advisable not to strain the abdominal muscles too much during the first six weeks. Nevertheless, mothers who deliver by c-section can still take care of their babies in the same way as other mothers. Wounds are usually healed after six weeks, but it may take longer, depending on the individual. With cesarean surgery, scars are unavoidable. Some women have barely visible scars and others have thicker scars than normal, affecting the appearance of the abdomen. Breastfeeding after a c-section shouldn’t pose a problem. As a rule, cesarean surgery is done in specific circumstances, such as premature birth in the event that the life of the mother or her baby is at risk. In this case, mother and baby are separated after birth because the baby needs intensive care, which causes emotional anxiety in the mother. Any potential problems with breastfeeding and a baby’s sucking reflex are usually caused by other factors and not the delivery itself. The greatest obstacles for breastfeeding are anxiety and fear in mothers that they won’t be able to breastfeed.

Is it possible to have a vaginal delivery after cesarean surgery?

They used to say that once you’ve had a c-section, you will always deliver by c-section. In the past, cesarean surgery was mostly performed by making a vertical incision in the abdominal wall and the womb. Today, it’s more common to make a horizontal incision in the lower part of the abdomen and womb, so the womb is less damaged and heals faster after the surgery and it’s also easier for a woman to bear contractions during her next labor. A safe and suitable method of childbirth for a woman who’s had a c-section is chosen by the woman, her partner and the obstetrician according to risk assessment and the benefits of both methods of childbirth. A cesarean surgery is often followed by frequent re-hospitalization after birth, infertility and tearing of the womb during the next delivery. It’s best to deliver vaginally, but if that’s not possible, a c-section may be the only chance to save the life of the mother and her child. Despite previous cesarean surgery, a woman can deliver her baby vaginally if there’s no reason for a c-section. In practice, the number of consecutive c-sections is more or less limited to three, but there are cases of women who’ve had four, five or more c- sections without any major problems. Despite that, every pregnancy after the third operation increases the risk of tearing the womb in subsequent weeks of the pregnancy or during labor. In some countries, women are advised to undergo sterilization after their third cesarean, but it’s still a decision that they have to make on their own.