What it is
A planned cesarean is surgery booked ahead, usually at 39 weeks unless a medical reason moves it earlier. Reasons include a breech baby, placenta previa, some twins, and prior cesareans. Some mothers choose it with no medical reason; ACOG says that is her decision after counseling. A gentle cesarean, or family-centered cesarean, is the same surgery with the mother at the center of the room.
What's typical
A spinal numbs you from the chest down while you stay awake. Your partner sits by your head. The baby is usually out within 5 to 15 minutes. Closing takes 30 to 45 minutes more. Many hospitals now offer a clear drape, delayed cord clamping, one arm free, and skin to skin in the operating room. The stay runs 2 to 4 nights.
What's known
ACOG supports waiting until 39 weeks when safe, because babies born at 37 or 38 weeks without a reason have more breathing trouble. Studies of family-centered practices find more breastfeeding and happier mothers, with no rise in infection.
What helps
- Ask for the gentle options by name: clear drape, skin to skin in the OR, delayed clamping, one arm free.
- Ask whether your doula can come in. Many hospitals allow a partner plus one.
- Plan the first 2 weeks at home as if you had major surgery, because you did.
When to call someone
- Nowbefore your date, labor starts, your water breaks, you bleed, or the baby moves less. Call; they will likely bring you in.
- Todaya cold, fever, or cough in the days before surgery.
- At your next visitbring your gentle cesarean list and ask what the operating room allows.
Who helps
Tools: Birth Plan Generator · Postpartum Prep Checklist
Related
- What happens in a cesareanBirth and the First Days
- Cesarean recovery, week by weekPostpartum: Your Body
- Breastfeeding after a cesareanFeeding Your Baby
- VBAC: birth after a cesareanGetting Ready for Birth
- Breech baby and turning optionsPregnancy: Your Body
- Skin-to-skin and the golden hourGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say
No one has posted under this topic yet. The first experience here will help the next mother who searches for it at 2 a.m.
Experiences and questions are their authors' own, not reviewed advice. The topic's steward lists the ones that help most in a credited digest once there is one. Unusual experiences stay, with a note.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee opinion on cesarean delivery on maternal request
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee opinion on medically indicated late-preterm and early-term deliveries
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses — Practice brief on family-centered cesarean birth
Sources are named, not yet linked. The steward verifies each one and adds the link.
Steward this topic
Birthworkers listed in our directory can claim a topic, verify its sources, and curate what mothers share here. Your name and credential go at the top of the page. Takes about an hour the first time.
Find your directory page