How to prepare

Preparing in advance

Arrange childcare and support at home

You need to arrange childcare for any other children while you are in hospital. You stay in hospital for at least 1 night.

We do not provide childcare. The hospital birth centre is not a suitable environment for children.

You can have 1 birth partner with you in the operating theatre.

Pack an overnight bag for your hospital stay

We recommend that you bring 1 overnight bag with you on the day of your surgery. This can contain items for you and your baby. Any other items, such as a car seat, can be brought the next day for when you leave hospital (are discharged).

What to pack for you:

• loose nightwear, such as a nightie
• maternity pads
• underwear that goes over your wound (high waisted)
• your own pillow (this is optional)
• light snacks for after your surgery

What to pack for your baby: 

• pack of nappies
• sleep suits
• hat
• cotton balls

Please do not bring:

• valuables
• cooked food that needs reheating
• cigarettes or tobacco

1 week before your caesarean birth

Take part in an online (virtual) education session

We send you a link to an online (virtual) education session. This session is held once a week by the midwives. You will receive information about this when your surgery has been booked. 

Prepare your skin

You need to stop shaving or waxing your pubic area or bikini line at least 1 week before your caesarean birth. This reduces the chance of infection.

2 to 3 days before your caesarean birth

Attend your pre-assessment appointment

You will receive a message on MyChart for a pre-assessment appointment. You should get this message the week before your surgery. If you do not have MyChart we will call you. 

This is a 15-minute appointment with the midwives, 2 to 3 days before your surgery date. At this appointment you will have blood tests, as well as MRSA swabs.

You must attend this appointment. If you do not attend, your surgery date will be cancelled.

Eating and drinking before surgery

You need to stop eating and drinking at the times listed in the following guide.

If you are going to hospital at 7.30am

• Before 2am: you can eat and drink as usual up to 2am
• 2am to 7am: you can drink water but do not eat anything
• After 7am: do not drink or eat anything

If you are going to hospital at 12.30pm

• Before 7am: You can have a light breakfast of cereal or toast with tea or coffee before 7am.
• 7am to 11am: you can drink water but do not eat anything
• After 11am: do not drink or eat anything

You can also have non-fizzy energy drinks or clear apple juice to drink instead of water, unless you have diabetes.

The morning of your caesarean birth

You need to:

• follow our eating and drinking rules

Wash your skin

Wash your pubic area (the area above your genitals and below your stomach) and bikini line (the skin around your genitals) with soap and water.

Do not use any lotions, creams or talcum powder on your skin.

Remove jewellery, makeup and false nails

Remove all jewellery and piercings. You can keep on your wedding ring, if you have one.

Do not wear any makeup and remove false nails.