A Guide to C-section Births

What Dads Need to Know

By Angela Harris

There is lots of information available to teach new fathers everything they need to know about labor and delivery, as well as classes and books dedicated to teaching fathers how to be effective birth "coaches," but there is very little for a new dad dealing with the stress of a Cesarean section birth.

New dads are often frightened and unsure when their baby is born via C-section instead of vaginally. But by educating themselves about C-sections, they can better prepare for the procedure and the help and care that a new mom will need afterward.

During an emergency C-section, time is of the essence, says Bridget McNitt, a registered nurse and director of maternal/childcare at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill. "The staff will work quickly getting Mom ready for surgery: drawing blood, signing consents, placing a catheter, shaving the abdomen and finally, moving to the operating room," she says. "Dad will not be allowed into the operating room until anesthesia is given and the patient is draped for surgery, approximately 20 minutes. In some instances, Dad will not be allowed in the operating room if Mom is given general anesthesia. Dad will be shown the baby as soon as possible in this situation."

The full procedure usually takes no longer than 30 minutes to an hour.

A planned C-section is much easier on everyone involved. You and the mother-to-be will receive information and education on the procedure from the doctor, and there will be plenty of time to prepare.

"In a scheduled case, the same preparations will take place but at a more leisurely pace," says McNitt. "Again, Dad does not go into the operating room until Mom has received anesthesia and is draped for the surgery. Dad then will leave the operating room when the baby is brought to the nursery and will catch up with Mom in recovery when she is brought out of the operating room."

"During recovery, expect frequent vital-sign monitoring and close monitoring of [the] surgical site for two hours," says McNitt. "This is the post anesthesia care required after surgery. If Mom has had regional anesthesia, expect her to be awake and generally pain free. Adjunct medications for complaints of nausea, itching and pain are available as needed. If Mom goes to sleep for surgery, expect her to be groggy and in pain when she wakes up. A patient-controlled analgesia pump will be started to control the pain."

About two hours after surgery the baby will be brought into the room. "The baby can stay with Mom for as long as she prefers," says McNitt.

Expect Mom and Baby to remain in the hospital for two to five days, which varies depending on the circumstances of the surgery and on how the new mom is feeling and healing. As long as everything is well, family and friends will be permitted to visit on the same day the baby is born.

In your role, be prepared to offer emotional and physical support to the new mother. "After my emergency C-section I was violently ill with the dry heaves," says Joanne Smith, a mother of two from Buffalo, N.Y. "It meant so much to have my husband there holding my hand. He was wonderful about asking the nurses for things, getting me things I needed and making sure I was well cared for. I don't know what I would have done without him there to be my voice at certain times."

Want to see more?

• C-section Delivery Stats
• Just in Case: Making a Plan for Cesarean Birth
• The Right to Choose: Elective Cesarean Sections
• Postpartum Dad Series
• Talk about it!