Medically reviewed content. Last updated: April 2026.
Medically reviewed content. Last updated: April 2026.
Around 1 in 3 babies in the UK are born by caesarean section. Whether yours is planned in advance or happens during labour, understanding what the procedure involves can help you feel more prepared and confident. This guide covers how it works, what recovery looks like, and how to get the support you need.
A caesarean section (often called a C-section) is a surgical procedure where your baby is delivered through a cut in your abdomen and uterus. It is carried out in an operating theatre by an obstetrician, with an anaesthetist, midwife, and other members of your care team present.
There are two types:
Common reasons for a planned caesarean include:
Reasons for an unplanned caesarean during labour include:
You will be given a date, usually at 39 weeks unless there is a medical reason for earlier delivery. Before the day, you will have a pre-operative assessment including blood tests and a discussion about the procedure with your care team.
On the day, you will be asked to fast (no food for six hours and no clear fluids for two hours before). You will change into a hospital gown, and a cannula (thin plastic tube) will be placed in your hand or arm for fluids and medication.
Most caesareans are carried out under regional anaesthesia, either a spinal or epidural. This numbs you from the chest down while you remain fully awake. You will feel pressure and pulling but not pain. Your birth partner can usually be with you in the theatre.
General anaesthetic (where you are put to sleep) is rarely used and is typically reserved for genuine emergencies or when regional anaesthesia is not possible.
Once the anaesthesia is working, a screen is placed across your chest so you cannot see the surgery. A catheter is inserted to keep your bladder empty. The surgical team cleans your abdomen, and the obstetrician makes a horizontal cut just below your bikini line (a lower segment incision). Your baby is usually born within 5 to 10 minutes of the first cut. The rest of the procedure, closing the uterus and abdomen, takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
In most cases, your baby will be placed on your chest for skin-to-skin contact immediately or very soon after birth. If you are unable to hold your baby straight away, your birth partner can do skin to skin instead.
You will be moved to a recovery area where staff monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and wound. You will stay in hospital for one to two nights on average after a caesarean, though some people stay longer if there are complications.
Your catheter is usually removed within 12 to 24 hours. You will be encouraged to get up and move as soon as possible, usually within the first 12 hours. This may feel daunting, but early mobilisation helps prevent blood clots and aids recovery.
You will also be given blood-thinning injections (usually for 10 days after discharge) to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Your midwife will show you how to inject these yourself at home.
The first two weeks are the hardest physically. Your wound will be sore, and everyday movements like getting out of bed, coughing, and lifting will feel uncomfortable. Pain relief (usually paracetamol and ibuprofen, sometimes stronger medication initially) helps manage this.
Tips for the early days:
Your wound is closed with either dissolvable stitches, staples, or glue. Keep it clean and dry. You can shower normally, but pat the area dry afterwards rather than rubbing. Avoid soaking in a bath until the wound has fully healed.
Contact your midwife or GP if you notice redness, swelling, increasing pain, discharge, or a smell from the wound, as these could indicate infection.
Most people feel significantly better by three to four weeks. You will gradually be able to do more, but listen to your body and avoid rushing. You should not drive until you can comfortably perform an emergency stop, which is usually around four to six weeks. Check with your car insurance provider, as some have specific requirements.
You should not carry shopping bags or vacuum for at least six weeks. Your six-week postnatal check with your GP is a good milestone to discuss when you can return to normal activities.
By six weeks, most wounds have healed externally, though internal healing of the uterus takes longer. You can usually resume gentle exercise after your six-week check. High-impact exercise should wait until around 12 weeks, and even longer if you have any issues with your pelvic floor.
Some people feel numbness or altered sensation around their scar for months or even longer. This is normal and usually improves over time.
Having a caesarean does not automatically mean you will need one for every future birth. Many people successfully have a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). RCOG guidelines support offering VBAC to most people with one previous lower-segment caesarean, as it is successful in around 72 to 75% of cases.
Your care team will discuss the options with you in future pregnancies, taking into account the reason for your previous caesarean, your overall health, and your preferences.
A caesarean is major abdominal surgery, and it is normal to have a range of emotions about it. Some people feel relieved, some feel disappointed, and some experience both at the same time. If your caesarean was unplanned, you may feel a sense of loss about the birth you had envisaged.
These feelings are valid. If you are struggling to process your birth experience, speaking to your midwife, health visitor, or GP can help. Many hospitals also offer birth debrief services where you can go through what happened and ask questions about your care.
A caesarean section (often called a C-section) is a surgical procedure where your baby is delivered through a cut in your abdomen and uterus. It is carried out in an operating theatre by an obstetrician, with an anaesthetist, midwife, and other members of your care team present.
Common reasons for a planned caesarean include:
### For a planned caesarean
### The first two weeks
Having a caesarean does not automatically mean you will need one for every future birth. Many people successfully have a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). RCOG guidelines support offering VBAC to most people with one previous lower-segment caesarean, as it is successful in around 72 to 75% of cases.
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