The C-section is a birthing method that has been used frequently in high-risk pregnant women and where doctors consider natural birth risky for either the baby or the mother. Both natural delivery and a Caesarean section have their positive and negative sides, but preparing for delivery differs slightly depending on which delivery option you choose. 

More prominent clinics, such as ACE OBGYN, offer their patients advice and guidance on preparing for delivery, including different tips and tricks collected from their previous experiences and different patients. Different studies show that these kinds of services make future mothers more comfortable and less stressed because they feel prepared for delivery and supported by their selected medical team. 

In today’s blog post, we will discuss in more detail what preparation for a Cesarean section looks like, what are the biggest necessities, what will make you feel more comfortable, and what might not be necessary for you to stress about. 

Preparation for Cesarean Section 

If you feel stressed and anxious about your scheduled C-section, or you do not feel prepared enough, do not panic. Continue reading this article and start working on the preparatory steps right away. 

People include different segments in their preparation for Cesarean, such as a birth plan, how to get ready at home, what to take to the hospital, what to eat and drink before the delivery, etc. 

Many people create a birth plan to write down everything that is important to them when it comes to pregnancy and delivery. Your wishes should be shared with your doctor, so they can help you and meet your needs where they can. 

A birth plan can be seen as a scenario of your delivery, where you can set the scene to cater to your needs and make you as comfortable as possible during this stressful day. Most often, people include the following wishes in their birth plans: 

  • Picking a person who can accompany them to the birth 
  • Choosing a music playlist that they will use during the birth (if you like music)
  • Adjusting the screen, so you can see the delivery of the baby (if there is a screen)
  • Taking a camera to take pictures (recording is not permitted by the hospital laws)
  • Asking the doctor to ensure that your voice is the first voice the baby hears after being born
  • Speak to your doctor to use delayed cord clamping to increase the amount of blood the infant can get from the placenta. 
  • Asking the doctors to allow skin-to-skin immediate contact with your baby, as well as skin-to-skin contact with the child’s father 

Closeup of Woman Belly With a Scar From a Cesarean Section

How Do I Prepare at Home? 

It is important that you are aware that a C-section is considered a major operation, and you will need at least six weeks, at least if not longer, to recover from it and continue with your regular routine. 

This said, it is essential to prepare your home for when you come back and to prepare your family and ask for help wherever you might need it. 

Here are some steps you can take to prepare your home for a successful and comfortable recovery post-C-section: 

  • Make sure you speak to your older children (if you have them) about your condition and what they cannot do while you are recovering (making you carry them, be active and play with them, etc.)
  • Ask for help from family and friends for at least the first two weeks. 
  • Place a baby bassinet close to your bed, so you can take care of the infant without having to move too much.
  • Put plenty of pillows and blankets on your sofas and bed so you feel more comfortable.
  • Stock up on cotton pads which will help you cover the C-section wound.
  • Get some maternity bras that are much more comfortable than regular bras, regardless if you are planning to breastfeed the child or not.
  • Get comfortable clothes that are loose and do not put any pressure on your wound, such as maternity clothes. 
  • You can think about breastfeeding pillows if you want to make the baby feeding process more comfortable. 
  • Have a good number of maternity pads and breast pads at home. 
  • Ensure you have a meal plan and some previously prepared meals in the freezer and fridge. This is where you can use your family and friends to help you, at least for the first week or so.
  • Have chamomile and mint tea on hand because they tend to soothe the nervous system and relieve pain 

What Do I Take to the Hospital?

Future mothers often pack their hospital bags well before the actual due date, so it is never too early to start thinking about what to take with you and what you might need. Here are some pieces of advice to make this process easier for you: 

  • Take some books, a tablet, magazines, or headphones with you because time might pass slowly while you wait for your scheduled time
  • After the operation, you will have an abdominal scar that will be sore and painful, so you need to have some comfortable cotton pants or pajamas
  • A shawl or a gown to keep your privacy and the baby warm during skin-to-skin 
  • Because you will have a catheter for at least 12 hours after the Cesarean section, make sure you bring a nightdress because you will not be able to wear regular pajamas for the first day
  • Take some slippers to walk around the hospital more comfortably. 
  • Bring a few pieces of comfortable clothes which will not put any pressure on the wound, such as long dresses and button-up tops that will make breastfeeding easier, etc. 
  • Feeding pillows are always recommended because the baby is more comfortable while breastfeeding when you are using a pillow.
  • You might want to freshen up the first day when you will not be able to take a shower, so bring some wet wipes and/or washing cloths.
  • Peppermint tea and chewing gum are two food items recommended to help you get the bowels working and relieve painful gas trapped in the bowels due to surgery

Newborn Baby Yawning While Lying in Infant Incubator

Any Additional Advice?

Stop taking aspirin or any other herbal supplement two weeks before your surgery because it could interfere with the coagulation of the blood at the time of the surgery

Do not put on any makeup before the operation, and remove nail polish, piercings, lenses, and jewelry. 

Also, it is often advised to stop waxing or shaving your pubic and vaginal area a few days before the C-section to reduce the risks of infections and complications. 

Regarding your eating and drinking habits before the surgery, you need to stop consuming all foods and beverages  8 hours before the scheduled time for a Cesarean section. In the preoperative area, some medication might be given to you, which can include antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, or medication that helps with the reduction of acidity in the organism. 

Ask Us!

Our expert team is here for our patients for whatever they need, including guidance and advice on preparing for a Caesarian section. Regardless if you need advice on preparing your bag, preparing your home, or which breast pads to buy, we want to help you as much as possible to make this experience comfortable for you and your future child. Call us!