Risks of having a caesarean section (easy read)
Why are we telling you about the risks with having a caesarean section?
We want you to know all the facts before making a decision about having a caesarean section.
Some of the risks are rare which means very few people experience them.
You can talk to the Learning Disability Liaison Nurses if you are worried.
0300 422 4953 or 0300 422 4985
What are the risks?
Infection in your womb
Your womb is where your baby grew inside you.
You might feel hot or have pain in your tummy.
You might have a smelly vaginal discharge in your pants, vaginal discharge is fluid that comes from your private parts.
You might have some bleeding
Blood clot
These do not happen very often.
If you get a blood clot you might have pain and swelling in your leg or arm.
If you have a blood clot in your lung you might feel suddenly breathless or have sharp pains in your chest.
Heavy bleeding
You might bleed a lot after your caesarean section but this does not happen very often.
Damage to other parts of your body near to where you had surgery
This does not happen very often.
This might be in areas like your bladder which is where your wee is stored.
Or in the tubes that go from your bladder to your kidneys.
You may have pain in your tummy or back.
Or see blood in your wee.
Our PALS advisors can give you information about health services in our hospitals.
You can talk to them if you are not happy with the care you are given in hospital.
You or someone who helps you can call PALS on 0300 422 6931
Or you can e-mail PALS at ghn-tr.pals.gloshospitals@nhs.net
Ask 3 questions
If you are asked to make a choice about your health, you may have lots of questions you want to ask.
You might want to talk to other people about your choices.
It can help if you make a list of your questions and take it with you to your appointment.
To begin with try to make sure you get the answers to these 3 questions, if you are asked to make a choice about your healthcare:
What are my choices?
What are the good things and not so good things about each choice?
How do I get help so I can make a choice that is right for me?
