Sometimes the complications that can occur with a Caesarean birth are directly related to the type of anaesthetic used rather than the actual surgical procedure itself. Each type of anaesthetic has various individual risks and possible complications associated with it. To explore these further you can read:
Epidural anaesthetic for Caesarean
Spinal anaesthetic for Caesarean
General anaesthetic for Caesarean
Adhesions, pain and infertility
Any operation interfering with your internal organs can cause small amounts of scar tissue to form between where the organs touch (or rub up against each other). These are known as 'adhesions'. Most adhesions cause no problems but occasionally they can lead to long term pain and difficulties with the functioning of those organs afterwards, for example bowel and bladder problems.
Adhesions after a Caesarean have also been linked to reduced fertility for women (possibly as high as 10%) and ectopic pregnancy (the pregnancy implanting outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube) when trying to conceive another child. These conditions seem to become more prevalent and / or severe with multiple Caesarean operations.
Damage to internal organs
Occasionally, internal organs surrounding the uterus can be unintentionally cut or damaged during the operation. This may be more the case if the operation is a true medical emergency and is being done in a hurry.
The organs most at risk are the woman's bladder, her bowel and the uterine arteries (2 large blood vessels on either side of the uterus supplying the uterus and placenta with blood).
If any of these organs are damaged, they will be repaired during the operation but could possibly bleed excessively as a consequence of being injured, or become infected in the days following the operation. In some cases the health and function of these organs can be affected on a long-term basis.
Blood clots in the vein