Basically, an emergency cesarean would be any cesarean that wasn’t scheduled ahead of time. Some may involve a medical emergency, and some may not.

Most hospitals will allow you to go into the operating room with your partner, or if you feel unable to, they may be accompanied by another person (some hospitals will allow two if one is the doula). Hospitals utilize Family Centered Cesareans, which means involved the family as much as possible. They will encourage you to participate in the birth, both cesarean and vaginal birth. For hospitals that do not support Family Centered Cesareans, you should meet with them to discuss the level of involvement you will be supported in.

Every surgeon has a different procedure for c-sections, including the type of incision and closure. You should discuss this with your doctor to determine their typical plan. It is generally 5 minutes from the time that they make the initial incision until the baby is born. The rest of the surgery may take between 30 and 40 minutes, including repair, depending on circumstances of the birth.

Some of these may go in a different order, and a few left out, but these are the basics:

• A catheter inserted to collect urine
• An intravenous line inserted
• An antacid for your stomach acids
• Monitoring leads (heart monitor, blood pressure)
• Anesthesia
• Anti-bacterial wash of the abdomen, and partial shaving of the pubic hair
• Skin Incision (vertical or midline(most common))
• Uterine Incision
• Breaking the Bag of Waters
• Disengage the baby from the pelvis
• Birth (Accomplished by hand, forceps, or vacuum extractor)
• Cord Clamping and cutting
• Newborn Evaluation
• Placenta removed and the uterus repaired
• Skin Sutured (Usually the top layers will be stapled and removed within 2 weeks.)
• You will be moved to the Recovery Room (If the baby is able s/he can go with you.)