How long does a Cesarean section last?

NJRNtobe · Dec 10, 2009

I have had 2 C-sections that were both problem free and I would say it took anywhere from 45 min - 1 hour. There's some prep that happens before you head into the OR but that's just basic things - assessment of mother and baby, starting a line, fluids, consents, etc. Obviously these weren't emergency C-sections so I'm not sure how the time line goes in that situation.

Hope2017 · Dec 10, 2009

45 to 1 hour. I have a change to observe one in our maternity clinical. After the anesthisia, the doctors clean the belly and locate the uterus- cut and bring the baby out, take the placenta out clean up, surture the cut-this took a lot of time... counting of the stuff used... thats it...

acubed · Dec 10, 2009

45min to1 hr, anesthesia is usually spinal tap or sometimes epidural.

prmenrs, RN · Dec 10, 2009

If there has been a prior C Section or other abdominal surgeries, the scar tissue and adhesions can slow things down considerably, but it is a fairly quick surgery.

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2009

mine took 45 minutes, with twins.

JaneyW · Dec 10, 2009

Depends on if there are previous scars, adhesions as someone else mentioned. I agree with the 45 minute to one hour. I have mainly seen spinals, though epidurals are sometimes used if they are already in place. General is used for emergencies if no epidural in place.

I have worked at teaching hospitals and the c-sections take considerably longer there as they are inexperienced surgeons learning.

JaneyW · Dec 10, 2009

Oh, I meant to ask the OP to tell us about third-world c-sections. I am curious.

RedCell · Dec 10, 2009

Out of curiousity, I want to know how long does a Cesarean section performed in the US? (I mean from the time the patient is wheeled-in to the OR until she's wheeled-out). And what kind of anesthesia is usually used? I had the chance to observe a C-section performed in a third-world country and I was told by somebody that it is a very different approach in the US.

The duration of a C-section is completely dependent upon the competency of the midwife with a knife doing the procedure. The choice of anesthetic is also dependent upon the competency of the surgeon as well as patient presentation.

Hope2017 · Dec 11, 2009

midwife do the c-section? Never thought they are train to do this.

rn4ever? · Dec 11, 2009

Oh, I meant to ask the OP to tell us about third-world c-sections. I am curious.

Well, the one that I saw, they didn’t focus much on pain management. The other one, it took hours to finish the entire procedure. Plus the surgical cut that they did I think was way too big (I’m not a surgeon and I may be wrong but from what I’ve seen in educational videos in the US, I thought it was way too big! The cut was horizontal, she was a petite lady, and I thought I could already see a portion of her heart)! But this is not to say that all C-sections done in a third-world country are done that way. I am just sharing what I saw many moons ago.

Libitina · Jan 28, 2010

midwife do the c-section? Never thought they are train to do this.

That made me raise my eyebrows too.

At my hospital the midwives (over here, delivery is midwife led) don't even scrub, we do (gynae theatre team). The midwife is there just to catch and sort the baby out. We care for the Mother along with the surgeons.