is it true if you have a cs, they don't even cut through the muscle?

[bluegreysky]

they just pull the abdominal muscles to the side,as they seperate in PG anyway. then push down and clip the bladder out of the way then cut through the womb, remove bambino and sew up.

i can't really see whats so major about that.
not really what i'd class as MAJOR surgery.

[hester]

Well, I'm not an obstetrician and can't say exactly how they do it. All I know is that it ruddy FEELS like major surgery, then and after.

And clinicians all class it as major surgery, so I guess it is.

[Olihan]

Your 8 years of medical training qualify you to say that, do they? .

[psychomum5]

but I thought that your ab muscles went down the middle of your tummy, yet CS goes across......thereby surely they do need to cut thro muscle.

[bluegreysky]

anyone would think they go through layers of muscle to get through to the womb, the way some folk go on!

[hester]

Have you had a CS, bluegreysky?

[minouminou]

wtf?
i think bluegreysky is thinking of a classical CS, when a vertical cut is made
however, i think muscles and connective tissue are still cut then

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Firstly, the skin is reflected (cut and pulled back), then the layer that covers the abdominal muscles (the peritoneum) is reflected too. The surgeon then makes a small hole in the rectus sheath (the covering of the rectus muscle or the six-pack muscles) and then, with the help of the assistant, they put their fingers in the small opening, and rip the rectus muscles along a natural weakness in the muscle, the linea alba. The bladder is pushed down either by the assistant's hands or a retractor, and the covering of the uterus is reflected away. Then an incision is made in the uterus - this incision has to be made very gradually, in order to prevent cutting into the baby. The waters will then shoot out, and then it's time to go fishing for the baby.

[lisad123]

having had, one I can assure you they do rip/cut the muscles, that why it bloody hurts so much to sit up and laugh!

[AbstractMouse]

I have seen a few c-sections and have a feeling you may be right but not sure. they do the whole cutting thing then usually 2 people yank the wound from either side and they then use spreader thingys to keep it open. I know they tear something so it heals better but not sure if that's the muscles or abdominal wall.

[hester]

StripeyKnickers, you're very impressive!

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Rip???

[Turniphead1]

Quite what is your point???

It IS major surgery - you won't get an ob/gyn to tell you different. The uterus itself is a muscular organ - thus its ability to contract and push a bloody great baby out of itself...Cutting though the uterus is the most "major" element as it has a large blood supply etc etc. The skin and tissue element is less so, but I err...imagine it "smarts" somewhat afterwards too.

Dear God...whatever next on c-sections.

[Turniphead1]

Next thing you know, we will have someone wondering does a baby come out of a different hole to your pee-pee and poo-poo holes during a vaginal birth....

the mind boggles

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Definetly agree that I would class it as major surgery. I've seen loads and assisted at a few and I still wince sometimes.

[Zazette]

No you're all wrong, they just stroll out to the gooseberry bush, pick the baby up and dust off the earth.

[lisad123]

i gave 3 coughs and they popped out

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

A senior surgeon friend of mine is pioneering a new technique. He inserts a huge bendy straw through your belly button and sucks the baby out.

The mothers in trials have been out shopping in new look within an hour of giving birth.

Genius.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

If you can't see what's so major about it try one. Or three (after which your uterus will be so fucked they'll advise you not to have another). Yeah I've had bigger sneezes

[expatinscotland]

The long abdominal muscles do not always separate in pregnancy.

[ghosty]

But but but ...
I thought a stork brought us our babies ...
Have I been deceived all this time?

Next someone will tell me that Santa doesn't exist ...

[expatinscotland]

have you even had STITCHES, bluesky?

no, most of the time they're not major, but they sort of suck nonetheless.

[orangehead]

Tbh I havent got a clue if they cut through my stomach muscles or not, but they did take half an hour to stitch me up afterwards as apparently they have to stitch you in layers. Also 6 years post section the lower half of my stomach is still numb. It certainly is major surgery and I dont think all doctors view it as so for no reason.
As turnip pointed out the uterus is a muscle

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

And it's layers of stitches. So they certainly cut through several layers- it's why that part of the op takes so long. Saw one on Discovery once, think they stitch uterus, then muscles, then skin, There may be another layer.