When you choose CHRISTUS Health to deliver your baby, our team provides you with comprehensive maternity care for your entire Cesarean section journey, from your initial consultation to your complete recovery after surgery. Whether your procedure is planned or an emergency, you'll receive compassionate, personalized support to ensure the best possible delivery for you and your baby at our hospitals.
A Cesarean section (C-section) is a procedure used to deliver your baby safely through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. If a vaginal delivery could put you or your baby at risk, your doctor may recommend this method. At CHRISTUS Health, you can trust that we perform every C-section with the highest level of care, giving your little one a safe and welcoming arrival. A C-section may be planned ahead of time or needed during labor.
Not every pregnancy will require a C-section, but certain situations may make it the safest option. These include:
From the moment you arrive at the hospital, every step of the delivery of your baby is planned with precision and care:
Recovering from a C-section involves physical and emotional healing. The team at CHRISTUS Health supports you through this process, offering guidance on care at home, pain management, and postpartum support services. They are here to ensure your recovery is smooth and comfortable, allowing you to focus on bonding with your baby.
Recovering from a C-section starts while you are still in the hospital. Your care team will help manage your pain, check your incision and guide you as you begin moving again. You will receive support with feeding, rest and bonding with your baby.
Healing continues after you leave the hospital. Your care team will give you clear instructions for incision care, activity limits, pain relief and signs to watch for. Taking time to rest, ask for help and follow your care plan can help you feel stronger each day.
A C-section can bring many emotions, especially as your body heals and you adjust to life with your baby. Your care team is there to listen, answer questions and help you feel supported after delivery. Follow-up visits give you time to talk about healing, mood changes, feeding concerns and any needs that come up at home.
Yes, a C-section does leave a scar, but it often fades over time. To help it heal well, keep the area clean, follow your incision care instructions and ask your care team when scar massage or other steps may be safe.
There is no one number that is safe for everyone. Your provider can look at your past births, healing and future pregnancy plans to help you understand what is safest for you.
Gentle bending may be part of daily movement, but go slowly and avoid straining your belly. Ask for help with lifting, use your legs for support and stop if you feel pain or pulling near your incision.
Many patients wait until they are off strong pain medicine and can turn, brake and move without pain. Your provider can tell you when it is safe to drive based on your healing and recovery.
It can be both. A C-section can be either planned or an emergency. A planned C-section is scheduled before the baby is born, usually for medical reasons. An emergency C-section happens if there are problems during labor, like the baby being in distress or other issues with the birth.
Most C-sections are done with regional anesthesia, like an epidural or spinal block, which numbs the lower half of your body while you stay awake. In some emergencies, doctors might use general anesthesia, which makes you fully asleep.
A typical C-section takes about 30 to 60 minutes. This time can be different for each person, depending on the situation and how complicated the surgery is.
Yes, you can breastfeed after a C-section. CHRISTUS provides lactation support and will help you start breastfeeding as soon as you're able, and skin-to-skin contact is encouraged to help you bond with your baby.
You will be cared for by a team of highly skilled and compassionate medical professionals who understand the importance of your birthing experience. With state-of-the-art facilities and a patient-centered approach, CHRISTUS Health boasts high success rates in C-section deliveries, focusing on minimizing discomfort and facilitating a speedy recovery for you.
