Preparation for Scheduled C-Section
Getting Ready for Your C-section
A C-section (cesarean birth) is surgery to deliver a baby through the belly.
Some people have a planned C-section if:
- They have certain health conditions
- The placenta covers the cervix
- The baby is breech (bottom or feet first)
- They’ve had a C-section before
When Do I Schedule My C-section?
Many planned c-sections happen at 39 weeks. Your provider may schedule it earlier if needed. Your provider will help you pick a date and time for your C-section.
Pre-Procedure Clinic
You will have a clinic visit before your scheduled C-section.
At this visit:
- You will get a special drink and soap to use before surgery.
- The nurse or provider will explain what to expect.
- You will have some blood tests.
Location: Shapiro Building, Lower Level (LL), 725 Albany Street
Phone: 617.638.6287 (call if you are running late)
Birth Plan for Your C-section
Talk to your provider about what matters most to you. You may be able to choose:
- Who is with you in the OR
- What type of pain medicine you get
- Playing music
- Asking the team to talk to you or stay quiet
- Lowering the curtain to see your baby
- Who announces the baby’s sex
- Delayed cord clamping, if safe
- Support person trimming the cord
- Skin-to-skin with your baby (you or your support person)
- What to do with the placenta
- How you want to feed your baby (breast, donor milk, formula)
- Birth control options after delivery
Eating and Drinking Before Surgery
- Eat and drink normally the day and evening before.
- Drink one-half of the provided lemon-lime Gatorade the night before.
- After midnight, do not eat anything.
- You may drink clear liquids (like water, apple juice, broth, sports drinks) until two hours before surgery.
- Drink the other half of the Gatorade in the morning at least two hours before surgery.
- Take only approved medicines with a sip of water.
Showering Before Surgery
You will get a special soap. Use it the night before and the morning of surgery.
Steps for each shower:
- Wash hair, face, and genitals with your usual products.
- Use half the bottle of special soap on the rest of your body.
- Gently scrub from neck down for five minutes.
- Rinse well.
- Dry completely.
- Do not use regular soap after.
Other Tips
- Do not shave 24 hours before surgery.
- Do not use powders, lotions, creams, Vaseline, or deodorant on the morning of surgery.
- Eat your favorite dinner the day before your surgery.
- Pack your birth bag for the hospital
The Morning of Surgery
- Shower with the rest of the soap.
- Drink the rest of the Gatorade.
- Go to Labor and Delivery on the 4th floor of the Yawkey Building.
- Arrive two hours before your scheduled surgery time.
At the hospital:
- You and your support people will check in and get ID bracelets.
- Bring something to read or watch while you are waiting to go to the operating room.
- The team will ask questions and check your health.
- Your baby’s heartbeat will be checked.
- You will get an IV for medicine.
- You will go to the operating room for anesthesia (pain medicine).
- Your support person can join once surgery begins.
Preparing For Birth
