00:07A cesarean section, commonly known as a c-section, is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby
00:14through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. While often associated with complications,
00:20doctors emphasize that in many cases it is a critical and life-saving intervention for both
00:25mother and child. Dr. Shireen Callow, an OBGYN at St. Augustine Private Hospital, says c-sections are
00:34often necessary when complications arise during pregnancy or labor. However, she notes that
00:40awareness is key, as many women are still unsure about when and why the procedure is needed.
00:46One of the more common reasons for doing a cesarean section is if the placenta is low.
00:54In other words, it's blocking the delivery of the baby. It's called placenta previa. And that can be
01:01electively performed, meaning that you book your plan and you decide upon a date to do an elective
01:07cesarean section without labor. If a patient has had previous cesarean sections for a recurrent reason,
01:15and a recurrent reason would be something like cephalopelvic disproportion, meaning the baby's
01:22head is bigger than the pelvis and they had to have a cesarean section for that delivery, then the
01:28other, the next time, the second, the third, the fourth, they will have to have cesarean section.
01:34Dr. Callow says patient education is an important part of the process.
01:39We sit and we discuss with our patients what a cesarean section is, what to expect,
01:46what type of anesthetic is relevant. So we have two types of anesthetic. We can do general and spinal.
01:53She explains that the procedure itself is quick.
01:56Dr. The cut on the belly, quite cosmetic. We do what you call a bikini cut, a small cut, just
02:03enough to get the baby delivered.
02:05And the process itself, the actual cesarean, it's so surprising each time that a patient has to do it that
02:13they're in shock.
02:14Because in two minutes, the baby's out once it gets started, but then closing back takes a little time.
02:21So within a half an hour, cesarean section is finished.
02:25Dr. Callow adds that while a c-section is a major surgery, during recovery time, patients are usually able to
02:33move around soon after.
02:35Contrary to what people think, you can't move around the next day.
02:40You just cannot do as much as you would have been able to do if you had a normal delivery.
02:44But the healing process takes over a period of time by, I would say, in about a month. You're back
02:52to normal.
02:52As the cesarean section awareness month continues, the message remains clear.
02:57Every pregnancy is different and informed decisions can make all the difference in ensuring safe deliveries.
03:04I am Charlotte Kisto with tonight's Health Watch.
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