If it becomes a caesarean
A caesarean is an operation. Call it a caesar if you want. It is still surgery, and you will be more use if you have seen the sequence once, on a page, before you see it in a room.
Preparation is not delicate. Lower abdomen and the top of the pubic hair may be shaved. The skin is cleaned.
Anaesthetic is usually an epidural or a spinal, sometimes a general. A drip goes into the hand or elbow. A urinary catheter goes in.
If she is frightened or lost, she can ask what is happening. If she cannot, you ask. That is a real job, not a courtesy.
The room is crowded for a reason. Obstetrician, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre nurses, a midwife, often a paediatrician. Everyone has a task around her safety and the baby's.
With a spinal or epidural, a support person is usually allowed in. You will be given a place to stand. Stay there.
Calm words. No commentary on the instruments.
Once the anaesthetic is checked, the obstetrician cuts through the tummy and the uterus. About 10 cm. The baby is lifted out.
She may feel tugging or pulling. There should not be pain. Forceps are sometimes used to help the head.
If things are well, the baby can be held up so she sees them. The cord is cut. Delayed clamping can still happen at a caesarean, so they may wait.
The placenta comes out. She is given medicine, often through the drip, to contract the uterus and reduce bleeding, and antibiotics to cut infection risk. Layers are stitched.
A dressing goes on.
Skin to skin is still the aim if both are well. Warmth, contact, feeding. If she cannot do it, you might be offered the baby on your chest, or at least your arms.
Take the offer if it is there. Do not wait for a better photo.
The surgery itself is often 30 to 60 minutes. Preparation, theatre, recovery and the return to the ward make a longer stretch. In recovery, midwives and nurses watch her until she can go back.
The baby usually stays. If she had a general anaesthetic, she sees the baby when she is awake and stable. A midwife helps with breastfeeding if it is safe to start.
Sometimes it is not, yet.
Pain and discomfort afterwards are normal, worse when she moves. Tell the midwives. Staying on top of regular pain relief helps her recover faster.
Shivering, itch and nausea happen and have medicines. They check blood pressure, the wound and vaginal bleeding. Drip and catheter often stay for the first 12 to 24 hours.
Eating and drinking usually restart on the ward. After about the first 6 hours, a midwife helps her up to shower. Getting up matters because it lowers clot risk.
Compression stockings and daily injections may be part of that. You can fetch the drink, guard the door, and not rush her to look grateful.
Read this before a planned date so the room is familiar. If it becomes unplanned, you already know the shape.
Source: Raising Children Network