Diet
STOP eating solids or drinking non-clear fluids 8 hours before (eg. milk, orange juice, coffee with milk)
STOP drinking clear fluids 3 hours before (eg. water, clear juice)
Shower
The day before your surgery, you may be asked to shower using a special antibacterial soap to reduce the risk of developing a skin infection after your surgery.
Jewellery
Please remove all jewellery prior to your C-section, including piercings. It is best to leave all valuables at home.
Hair removal
Hair removal is not required. If that is your preference you can trim, wax or shave several days before. Please do not shave your skin immediately before the procedure.
Nail polish is permitted
Arrival
Usually 2 HOURS before your surgery time
Clothing
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown once you arrive.
Nursing care
You will have a blood test and and an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your hand to give you fluids and medications during your surgery.
Support person
You can bring one person into your surgery with you. This person will be asked to wait outside the operating room until you are comfortably frozen and positioned for surgery.
Spinal/Epidural
Most C-sections are done with freezing using a spinal/epidural anesthetic. This is performed by placing a needle in your back which is removed before the surgery starts. Your doctors will make sure you are numb before starting the surgery.
General anesthetic
Uncommonly, you may need to be put to sleep for this surgery, for example in very urgent situations.