A planned C-section lasts only about an hour, which can be an advantage. In most cases, the woman remains fully conscious during the birth with her partner by her side.
Reasons for a planned C-section include:
• The baby is in an abnormal position (breech or transverse presentation)
• The baby has a health problem (e.g. growth restriction or anomaly)
• The mother has a health problem (e.g. active herpes or cardiac disease)
• Unfavorable positioning of the placenta (placenta previa or placental abruption)
• Evidence of placental abruption
• Previous myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
• Previous C-section (if the mother declines VBAC, or vaginal birth after C-section)
• Previous C-section through a "classical incision," vertical on the uterus
• The mother’s desire to control the timing and circumstances of birth
The hospital stay is longer after a C-section than after a vaginal delivery, and in the first days after birth, the incision can cause pain, so the mother is often given pain medication. She’ll also need a few more weeks to recover (carry as little weight as possible, no climbing stairs) so that the wound doesn’t reopen.