Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery

Most cesarean deliveries are done with regional anesthesia, such as an epidural or spinal. With this type of anesthesia, only the lower part of the body is numbed for surgery. The mother is awake and able to hear and see her baby as soon as he or she is born. General anesthesia may be used in some special situations. With this, the mother is not conscious for the birth.

A pediatric healthcare provider is often present when a woman gives birth by cesarean. The baby is checked right away to make sure he or she doesn't have trouble breathing. This may happen from medicines the mother received during labor or delivery.

Once the baby is checked over, a nurse will wrap the baby in blankets and bring the baby to you. In some cases, babies born by cesarean will first need to be watched in the nursery for a short time. All of the usual procedures, such as weighing and giving medicines, are done there. Usually, your baby can be brought to you while you are in the recovery area after surgery. Breastfeeding can start in the first hours right in the recovery room, just as with a vaginal delivery.