Elective Caesarean Section
An elective Caesarean section is planned before you go into labour. An operative delivery may be necessary because your baby is in an awkward position, like transverse or breech, because the placenta is low or because you are having twins or more. Around one in ten women in the UK give birth by planned C-section, most of these are for medical reasons, but the numbers are climbing because increasingly women are choosing an elective section.
Your Birth Experience
If your baby is delivered by Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia, your partner will be able to sit with you in the operating theatre and share the joy and excitement of the birth. You should be able to bond with your baby immediately, with skin-to-skin contact.
An elective Caesarean is a very positive way to enter the modern world, and you have the benefit of modern medications including antibiotics, and injections to stop blood clots, to prevent any problems.
With a planned Caesarean, you will be able to mark a date in your diary when your baby will be born, so you can pack a bag, clear your partner’s diary, fill the freezer and book the babysitter in advance.
Emergency Caesarean Section
Sometimes birth doesn’t go according to plan. It’s a complex and delicate process which can need a helping hand. Maybe labour gets stuck and fails to progress, or your little one shows signs of distress, or your baby is breech and things are getting a little tricky, then it can be safest for you and your baby to have a surgical birth.
An emergency section sounds scary but this usually describes an operation that has not been planned in advance. This may not be the birth you described and intended in your birth plan, but the priority for everyone in the delivery room is that both you and your baby are healthy.
What Happens During a Caesarean?
- The obstetrician will explain exactly what is going to happen, talk you through any potential problems and ask you to sign your consent to the procedure.
- The upper bit of your pubic hair will be shaved or clipped away, so that hair won’t stick in the wound and affect healing.
- You will be given some antacid medication to settle your stomach. This stops anything coming back up into your throat.
- A drip will be put into your arm, this can keep you hydrated, help the anaesthetist control your blood pressure, allow any intravenous medication to be given and enable rapid transfusion if there are any problems.
- An anaesthetist will give you regional anaesthetic, it will numb your pelvis and legs, but you’ll stay awake. This may be an epidural or a spinal anaesthetic. Either way, you should feel no pain during the operation, although you may feel a little rummaging around.
- When you are numb, a tube called a catheter will be put in, to drain the bladder. This means you won’t have to struggle with a bedpan and urinate for yourself until you’re back on your feet.
- Your lower body will be covered with sterile sheets and a screen will be put up so you can't see all the surgical procedure.
- The surgeon will make a small cut along the top of your bikini line.
- There will be a further cut into the womb and your beautiful baby will be lifted out into the world.
- The placenta is removed and you'll be neatly stitched back up, in layers. The scar should heal well, leaving a fine line that will be hidden by your underwear or swimwear. The whole procedure takes around an hour.
For antenatal and postnatal obstetric care and further pricing information, please contact us
Telephone: 02073495204
Email: [email protected]
Caesarean Section FAQs
An elective caesarean section is planned in advance, before labour begins, usually for medical reasons such as baby positioning, low placenta, or multiple pregnancy. An emergency caesarean is an unplanned operation that becomes necessary during pregnancy or labour, but the term emergency simply means it has not been scheduled in advance, not that it is unsafe.
Yes, and this is something I feel strongly about. Whether the right birth for you is a vaginal delivery, a planned caesarean, a water birth, or hypno-birthing, my role is to guide you through it safely and respect the choice you make.
Yes. Partners can be present in theatre during a caesarean performed under regional anaesthesia, such as an epidural or spinal. This is the most common approach for both elective and most emergency caesareans, and it lets your partner be there as your baby is born.
Yes. Immediate skin-to-skin contact after a caesarean is supported and is one of the things Dr Duncan and the Portland team plan for as part of your birth. It can usually happen in theatre, while the operation is being completed.
For the great majority of caesareans, yes. Regional anaesthesia, such as an epidural or spinal, is the standard approach for both planned and most emergency caesareans, which means you are awake and aware of what is happening, but the lower half of your body is numb. General anaesthesia is reserved for specific circumstances.
The whole procedure takes around an hour. The baby is usually born within the first 5 to 10 minutes; the rest of the time is for the careful closure of each layer.
Hospital stay after a caesarean varies depending on how you and your baby are recovering. Under Dr Duncan's care at The Portland Hospital, patients usually stay for 2-3 days.
VBAC is possible for many women and is something Dr Duncan can discuss with you in detail at consultation. Dr Duncan offers VBAC for patients who are suitable. He can also offer a specific bespoke plan depending on your previous clinical circumstances.
Yes. Breastfeeding straight after a caesarean is encouraged where mother and baby are both well. If mother is not well, the team can help your partner have skin-to-skin contact with the baby.
About Dr Duncan Birth
Dr Keith Duncan MD FRCOG is a leading consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London. With over 30 years experience, Dr Duncan has delivered more than 4,000 babies both in the NHS and as a private obstetrician. His areas of expertise include childbirth, caesarean, antenatal care, multiple pregnancies, ultrasound and high-risk pregnancies.
Contact
Our secretary is Colette.
She can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephone via 0207 3495 204
Locations
Clinics
The Portland Hospital Consulting Suite
3rd Floor, 212 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5QN
Ovara Health
274 Fulham Road, Chelsea Walk, London, SW10 9EW
132 Harley Street
London, W1G 7JX
Hospital
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5AH
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