• Purpose: Surgery can be performed for many reasons, including to diagnose a condition (biopsy), repair damaged tissues, remove diseased organs, or improve appearance (cosmetic surgery).
• Procedure: A surgical procedure is an invasive process that involves using instruments to make an incision or manipulate body tissues.
• Surgical team: Most operations are performed by a team of medical professionals, including a surgeon, surgical assistant, and anesthesiologist.
A caesarean section (C-section) is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby through incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus, performed when vaginal birth is not possible or poses a greater risk to the mother or baby. This can be a planned procedure due to medical reasons, such as an abnormal baby position, or an emergency during labor due to complications like fetal distress or placental issues.
An EXIT (Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment) procedure is a specialized surgery to secure a life-threatening airway or provide other critical intervention for a fetus while it remains connected to the placenta during a cesarean birth. During the EXIT procedure, the baby is partially delivered, but the umbilical cord is not clamped or cut, allowing the placenta to continue providing oxygen and blood flow.
Timing: For non-urgent surgeries, the second trimester is often preferred, though surgery should not be delayed if there's a risk of severe disease. Elective surgeries are generally deferred from the first trimester to minimize fetal loss.
Anesthesia: Anesthesia is administered with consideration for the physiological changes of pregnancy, prioritizing maternal safety.
Rh-Negative Mothers: For surgeries that carry a risk of uterine trauma, Rh-negative mothers receive anti-D immune globulin to prevent Rh isoimmunization, protecting the fetus.