A new study shows that a C-section can lead to complications should you find yourself back on the operation table later in life. Surgical complications cover a range of things that can go wrong during an operation. For example, damage to organs, infection, the need to re-operate, or bleeding during the operation.
Long-Term Effects of C-Sections
Children born by C-section also suffer increased rates of diseases, including asthma, type I diabetes, allergies, obesity, as well as reduced overall cognitive functioning and lower academic performance.
As women age, the uterine muscle loses its ability to contract efficiently, and this can contribute to heavy bleeding after C-sections among older women, Deneux-Tharaux said. “The physiological stop in bleeding after birth involves a contraction of the uterus; that might be reduced in older women,” Deneux-Tharaux said.
Some people do feel pain or numbness (or both) at their C-section scar for months or even years after the surgery.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes. If you've had a caesarean in the past, it's still possible to give birth to your baby vaginally.
A caesarean section is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery it does carry a risk of complications. The level of risk will depend on things such as whether the procedure is planned or carried out as an emergency, and your general health.
C-section babies don't come through the birth canal, so they have an edge in the looks department. Their heads come out nice and round because they don't get squeezed, and their faces don't get swollen like many babies delivered vaginally.
Some women do experience symptoms related to their C-section scar long after the operation. Some women feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery. This is normally due to the build-up of scar tissue which can stick to muscles or even organs and cause pain.
The cesarean delivery group in cohort 1 showed significantly lower white matter development in widespread brain regions and significantly lower functional connectivity in the brain default mode network, controlled for a number of potential confounders.
After your C-section, you might look like you're still pregnant. This is normal. Most women lose 13 pounds (6 kilograms) during birth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During your recovery, you'll drop more weight as your body gets rid of excess fluids.
Regional (or rarely general) anesthesia (spinal or epidural) is given to prevent pain, a vertical or horizontal ("bikini line") incision is made in the skin of the lower abdomen, and then the underlying tissues are dissected to expose the uterus.
Ideally, your doctor will cut through the same scar so that you don't have multiple scars on your abdomen and uterus. Sometimes scar tissue can be difficult to cut through but your doctor should be able to cut through it.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take and the higher your risk of serious complications becomes. You will have scar tissue where your wounds have healed after each operation.
In some situations, a C-section is not only preferable but mandatory—situations involving conditions like placenta previa, in which going into labor would precipitate life-threatening hemorrhaging, or cord prolapse, which can cause the death of a baby if a C-section is not performed in a manner of minutes.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
Since you'll receive two incisions — one in your abdomen and one in your uterus — your surgeon will close both incisions.
Impacts of a C-Section on the Body
In the long-term, it's possible to experience losses in abdominal strength and muscle tone. This has a knock-on effect on your spinal health and stability. It may also negatively affect your hips and balance.
Women who give birth via cesarean section are often left with a pouch of excess skin above their scar, commonly referred to as a c-section pooch or c-shelf. Since everyone heals differently, it can't be predicted whether or not a c-shelf will develop and, if it does, if it will fade naturally.
The uterus consists of the serosal outer layer (perimetrium), the muscle layer (myometrium), and the inside mucosal layer (endometrium). All three of these layers are incised to make the uterine incision or hysterotomy.
Not all c-sections are traumatic, just as not all vaginal births are joyful. But for those who experience a cesarean and have emotional distress because of it, professional postpartum support and counseling or therapy is critical.
How commonly does endometriosis develop after a C-section? Endometriosis can develop after a C-section when it develops inside the surgery scar, which is known as incisional endometriosis. Incisional endometriosis is rare. The incidence of the condition is only 0.03-0.45%.