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What Happens During a Caesarean Section? Step-by-Step Guide

• Tim Kelas Antenatal & Postnatal
birth childbirth hospital

The short answer: during a caesarean you are fully awake but feel no pain — a spinal block numbs your body from the waist down, and your baby is delivered within 10 to 15 minutes.

Knowing what happens in the operating theatre helps you prepare mentally and approach a surgical birth plan with more confidence.

Two Types of C-Section

There are two types of caesarean surgery:

  • Elective (planned) — scheduled in advance because of issues with the baby’s position or the placenta.
  • Emergency — performed because of fetal distress or problems that arise while attempting a normal delivery.

What Happens in the Operating Theatre (OT)?

  1. You receive a spinal block that numbs you from the waist down — you are fully awake, but your lower body is paralysed.
  2. A catheter is inserted into your bladder.
  3. A screen is set up to block your view of the abdominal area.
  4. A horizontal incision (the bikini line) of about 10–15 cm is made, and your baby is delivered within an average of 10–15 minutes.
  5. Closing the skin incision takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Does It Hurt?

You will not feel any pain. You will only feel pressure (pulling and tugging) in your abdomen as the baby is brought out through the pelvic opening. Knowing this in advance helps you stay calm when the sensation happens during surgery. For pain management options available in the delivery suite before reaching the OT, learn about Entonox, Pethidine and the epidural. After surgery, wound care is critical — read the guide to C-section wound care after giving birth to speed up recovery. Also make sure your hospital bag is packed before your surgery date.

References

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Guidelines on Caesarean section.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or midwife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is caesarean surgery painful?

No. You receive a spinal block that numbs you from the waist down, so you will not feel any pain. You will only feel pressure and tugging in your abdomen as the baby is delivered.

Am I awake during a C-section?

Yes. With a spinal block you are fully conscious, but your lower body is numb from the waist down. A screen is set up to block your view of the abdominal area.

How long does it take to deliver the baby during a C-section?

The baby is usually delivered within 10 to 15 minutes. Closing the skin incision takes a further 30 to 45 minutes.

What is the difference between an elective and an emergency C-section?

An elective C-section is planned in advance because of issues such as the baby's position or the placenta, while an emergency C-section is performed due to fetal distress or problems that arise during an attempted normal delivery.