The planned caesarean section

Around 24 hours before the operation, the midwife will see you for a blood test and a consultation regarding anaesthesia (important for the antibody screening test). You may then go home. You will usually be admitted to the hospital 4 hours before the caesarean section. The midwife will check on the baby, prepare you for the operation and discuss the procedure with you.

On the day of your caesarean section, you should generally not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the operation. You will receive further information in the letter inviting you to your caesarean section.

When you are admitted to the hospital, the anaesthetist will discuss the anaesthesia and the procedure with you and prescribe medication for you to take before the caesarean section.

If you would like to speak to an anaesthetist before admission, you can book an appointment for an anaesthesia consultation via Patient Admissions (T +41 44 209 22 71). If you have a specific medical history or particular cultural or religious requirements, please contact us in good time.

To ensure that the caesarean section can be carried out as smoothly as possible, we ask you to make the following preparations:

• Shave the pubic area
• Remove make-up from your face and remove any nail varnish (for hygiene reasons)
• Remove jewellery and piercings (risk of swelling in the joints), hair clips and hairpieces (for hygiene reasons)
• Remove contact lenses (risk of eye infection)

The time has come: the midwife will take you to the operating theatre, which is integrated into the maternity ward. In the warm, reassuring atmosphere of this room, the anaesthesia specialist will set up the monitoring of your heart rate and circulation. Together with the anaesthetist, she will also provide you with personalised care during the caesarean section, which will be performed by your doctor. Your partner is, of course, welcome to be by your side during the caesarean section.

Following the caesarean section, the baby is looked after by the paediatrician and the midwife. The midwife encourages the bonding process and supports you with breastfeeding by enabling skin-to-skin contact between you and your newborn even whilst the operation is taking place. The newborn is allowed to stay close to their mother throughout the caesarean section. To this end, they are placed on the mother’s skin in a special bonding top. The first attempt at breastfeeding takes place within the first hour after the caesarean section.

As a well-coordinated team, the anaesthetist, your gynaecologist and the midwife will monitor your well-being before, during and in the first few hours after the caesarean section. It is important to us that your little family can stay together and recover in a peaceful atmosphere.

Wherever possible, a form of regional anaesthesia is chosen, most commonly spinal anaesthesia. Epidural anaesthesia (PDA) may also be used, particularly if an epidural catheter has already been inserted to relieve labour pains but a caesarean section proves necessary during the course of the birth. With both methods, you remain awake during the caesarean section and can actively experience the birth of your child. In very rare cases, general anaesthesia may be necessary for a caesarean section. This involves numbing the sensation of pain and suppressing consciousness, so you will be asleep.

What is the difference between regional anaesthesia for a spontaneous birth and that for a caesarean section?

As the sensation of pain must be completely eliminated during a caesarean section, the level of anaesthesia is much stronger in this case. This is made possible by the use of stronger medication. Whilst the ability to push should be preserved during a spontaneous birth, mobility in the lower half of the body is usually completely restricted during a caesarean section. There is no difference in terms of technique, procedure, risks and side effects.

When is general anaesthesia used for a caesarean section?

General anaesthesia may be necessary if regional anaesthesia is technically impossible or if there are medical reasons (such as a blood clotting disorder, infection, etc.) that preclude its use. Certain obstetric conditions may also

What are the risks of general anaesthesia?

One of the risks of general anaesthesia is the entry of stomach contents into the lungs, which can lead to severe pneumonia. Your anaesthetist will take special precautions to protect you, particularly during pregnancy. Allergy-related adverse reactions, which can trigger serious cardiac, circulatory or respiratory problems, are very rare. Finally, damage to teeth and dentures or injuries to the mouth or larynx may occur – although this is also very rare. Fortunately, nerve damage caused by the patient’s positioning during the operation is also rare.

Will general anaesthesia harm my baby?

General anaesthesia for caesarean sections has been practised worldwide for many decades and is very safe for both mother and child. When carried out professionally, it does not pose any significant risk to the newborn.

Anaesthesia consultation

During a face-to-face consultation, your anaesthetist will endeavour to address all your questions. For legal reasons, it is necessary for you to give your written consent to the procedures. Please do not hesitate to contact us in good time so that we can answer your questions and clarify any uncertainties during the anaesthesia consultation. It is important that you are well-informed before the birth of your child and can look forward to the event without any fears or anxieties. To book an appointment for the anaesthesia consultation: T +41 44 209 22 71.