Before:
- You will be told during your pregnancy visit when to stop eating before surgery. Usually this is midnight the night before.
- You will be admitted to the maternity unit a few hours before the surgery and meet the nurses who will care for you and your baby.
During:
- If you have chosen an epidural or spinal anesthesia, it is usually given in the operating room.
- A catheter (soft tube) is inserted into the bladder to collect your urine during the surgery and for a few hours afterwards.
- Your partner or support person is often encouraged to be with you during the Cesarean if you are awake.
- When the baby is born the baby will be checked and if all is well the baby will be placed skin to skin with you or your partner while the surgery is finished.
After:
- You will be moved to an area to recover with your baby and will be able to breastfeed if you choose.
- If you are asleep for the surgery it takes more time to recover and wake up so your baby will spend time with your partner or support person or be taken to the nursery.