How long does a caesarean section take?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Hoang Thi Anh Tuyet - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Today, the majority of mothers when giving birth can actively choose for themselves the method of cesarean section or vaginal birth from the beginning. To make a final decision, pregnant women need to carefully learn the necessary information related to each method. That includes the issue of how long the cesarean section takes.

Before answering the question about how long a cesarean section takes, pregnant women need to know that cesarean section is classified into 2 types:
1.1 Active cesarean section with the consent of the mother and obstetrician For this form , birth is done before the mother shows signs of labor. Usually, an elective cesarean section is chosen when the mother has health problems such as high blood pressure or placenta previa (placenta attaches to the cervix). An elective cesarean section is usually performed at 39 weeks or later. Only when there is an urgent situation or a changing health condition can it be done earlier than planned.

1.2. Emergency C-section An emergency cesarean delivery occurs when a woman starts labor but has an unexpected complication such as fetal distress, the fetus needs to be delivered quickly, within minutes of detecting the problem.
An elective cesarean section is becoming more and more common. Most doctors recommend that women and their families have a caesarean section when the fetus is about 39 weeks old. According to studies, out of every 1 in 3 women who have had a cesarean section, they are more likely to choose a cesarean section next time than a vaginal birth.

A caesarean section that takes place in a hospital operating room - with no complications - usually takes about 30 minutes. In particular, the time from after incision of the mother's abdomen until the baby is brought out by the doctor only takes about 5 minutes. The rest of the time in the operating room is spent stitching up the mother's wounds.

If the mother and her family require an active cesarean section, the doctor will guide the mother through the steps of preparation and admission to the hospital before the operation. The operating room normally includes obstetricians, anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and midwives ready to assist the mother.
First, the pregnant woman is put on a surgical gown and a hat to cover her hair, set up an infusion line, then she is lifted into the car and pushed to the operating room. The surgical team will place a urinary catheter to collect urine during surgery. The mother is covered with a curtain right in front of her chest so that she cannot see the image of her abdomen being cut. However, some women who request to be seen may still skip this step. After anesthesia, test reaction, the doctor will make a small incision in the skin of the mother's abdomen, the average length is about 10cm, then make an incision to the tissue layers and reach the uterus. The incision will normally be horizontal, in the lower abdomen. However, in some urgent cases, a vertical incision will be chosen because it is faster.

In just a few seconds, the baby will be "caught" out with the amniotic sac and umbilical cord. The umbilical cord will be clamped and cut when the pulsation stops, the doctor will check the baby's health and breathing. Then, the doctor will take the placenta out and clean the uterus for the mother, sew the layers of tissue and muscle (in reverse order compared to the time of skin incision) with dissolvable thread, the outermost layer is sewn. by only withdrawing. The mother may be able to hold the baby, conduct skin-to-skin contact with the baby - if awake - before the baby is brought into care. In some hospitals, the husband is allowed to stand by to watch the entire caesarean section as well as cut the baby's umbilical cord.

With general anesthesia, the mother will not feel anything until she wakes up after an hour or so. Today, however, most caesarean sections are performed under spinal or epidural anesthesia by injection into the proximal spinal column. The mother will only lose sensation from the chest area to the toes, including the abdomen being cut to capture the baby, and still be fully awake. Pregnant women will feel pressure on their abdomen but will not feel pain, some mothers even share that they feel the feeling of being searched in the abdomen but most importantly, do not feel pain.
Pregnancy and childbirth is a woman's vocation. Any mother is happy to see her baby born. To successfully give birth, women should choose a reputable birthing address, modern facilities, ensure safety, and highly skilled doctors so that the time of cesarean section becomes an enjoyable experience.

At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity program as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care