Preparing for your caesarean birth
Birth takes a little bit of preparation however you plan to do it. There is both an element of mental and physical preparation required to make you feel calm, confident and ready for whatever type of birth is ahead of you. Around 1 in 5 babies are born by caesarean, so here we talk about everything you need to know to prepare for a caesarean birth.
Create a birth plan for a caesarean birth
Whether you are planning to have a caesarean or not, you should prepare for the possibility when you write down your preferences. That way, if you do have an unplanned caesarean, you and your partner will know what to ask and advocate for. Things you can think about:
Who you want with you at the birth (in theatre and recovery – which is where you’ll be taken once the caesarean is complete)
If there is particular music you’d like on, a small portable Bluetooth speaker can be useful here, but some hospitals can hook your phone up to the audio system in theatre. Alternatively, you might like to take headphones.
If you’d like the midwife to take photos for you
Having the drapes lowered so you can see your baby be born
Asking for a calm, quiet atmosphere
Environmental changes (for instance lighting, essential oils taper)
Aiming to have immediate skin to skin contact and for the weight, measurements and Vitamin K injection (if you’ve consented to it) to be done in recovery afterwards.
Delayed cord clamping
Keeping your placenta (to bury, have prints, have encapsulated etc)
Packing your hospital bag
Particularly for caesarean births, a really well organised hospital bag with everything clearly labelled can be super helpful. It means that nurses or your birth partner can find what you need without you needing to help! We have a comprehensive hospital bag list available when you purchase the hypnobirthing pack that covers everything you might need, but here are a couple of extra tips for if you are having a caesarean.
Pack extra pillows. With reduced mobility, an extra pillow for nursing can be helpful and you can then use it on the way home across your tummy to protect you from any bumps. This is also a good technique for sneezing/coughing/laughing!
Ensure you have big pants (we mean GIANT pants!) and loose clothes packed so you are comfortable post birth. A nightie will be best for post op recovery as you will have a catheter.
Pack chewing gum, peppermint teabags/cordial or peppermint oil capsules to relieve post-operative wind.
Know the process
Knowing the lay of the land and how things will look on the day can help with both mental and physical preparation. The best person to talk to about what happens during your caesarean is your midwife as policies, practice and protocols are slightly different at each hospital, but here are the basics:
The night before: The night before your caesarean is booked, have a large, carb-heavy meal to sustain you for a longer period. At around 10pm take your pre-surgery medications if required (some hospitals give you this in the morning instead). Dependent on what time your caesarean is likely to be (morning or afternoon) and how your hospital operates will alter the times of you being allowed to eat and drink on the day of surgery – so ask about your particular situation. Usually, people need to be ‘nil my mouth’ meaning no foods or drinks for about 6-12 hours before your operation.
On the day: You will be taken through the procedure and risks once more before the operation and be asked to sign consent forms. You are likely to meet your consultant, anaesthetist and midwife to talk through the procedure. You’ll be issued a gown and compression stockings and may also be asked to wear a face mask. You will then effectively just sit and wait your turn. Your prioritisation will come down to the other procedures booked for that day and any emergencies that come in. Be prepared to wait!
What happens during your caesarean surgery: In theatre you will be asked to sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward. You will have a local anaesthetic injection in your back before the epidural/spinal is sited, you’ll then lie down, be assessed to check you can no longer feel your tummy and legs and a catheter will be inserted. The drapes will go up, everyone will introduce themselves and the surgery will begin. It usually lasts about 45 minutes, in total, but your baby will be born in around 5 minutes!
Caesarean recovery: Following the caesarean you’ll be moved to recovery, which is usually a room or small ward where you’ll be closely monitored for between 1 and 4 hours before going to the postnatal ward. Your baby will be with you throughout. Once on the postnatal ward, you will be given the same care as anyone who has had a vaginal delivery. Midwives will assist with feeding and will monitor your recovery, taking regular observations and proceeding with the usual newborn check. Your catheter will remain in overnight so this does restrict your movement that day. Once it’s removed, you’re encouraged to move around on your feet regularly.
How long until you are discharged after your caesarean: Some people leave hospital the day after a caesarean and some remain for a couple more nights. The nurses will want you to pass urine before you leave and you will want to feel able to walk to the car park and undertake the journey home. While you can be eager to get home to other children or your own bed, consider this recovery period in hospital as an important transition for you and your baby.
Birth partners: Birth partners are generally able to be with you throughout surgery and recovery. When you’re admitted to the postnatal ward, they may be restricted by visiting hours, so this is something to ask your midwife in advance. Birth partners will be required to wear scrubs and a facemask.
Don’t be afraid to ask
Don’t be afraid to say you are feeling unwell during your operation. You will have an anaesthetist at your head end during the birth and if you are feeling dizzy, nauseous or just a bit odd please make sure you tell them – they’ll be able to fix this pretty quickly with some anti-sickness medication or fluids. This goes for recovery too. If you’re not feeling right, speak up as generally, it is nothing serious but something the nurses can swiftly help you with, for instance, iron levels.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help generally. This might be asking a midwife to help you position your baby to comfortably feed them, or your birth partner to pass things. Everyone is here to help you and make you as comfortable as possible, but if you vocalise your needs that makes it much easier for the people trying to care for you.
Get your home ready and think about after-care
Getting your home ready ahead of time can make life so much easier and more comfortable once you arrive back there after the birth of your baby.
Have baby bits in a portable caddy – nappies, wipes, flannels, cream, muslins and a couple of changes of clothes. Have a couple in places around the house so you have everything you need close by.
It’s also handy to keep pain relief for yourself (Ibuprofen and Paracetamol) in this caddy so you have that readily available.
It can be useful to get some prophylactic laxatives to help you with bowel movements after your surgery as well as getting some peppermint tea to have available for trapped wind.
Put a couple of extra pillows (rather than cushions) on the sofa, so they are there and ready for you to be able to get yourself comfortable.
Make sure you have plenty of big pants that will cover your wound and loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
Have some large sanitary towels for when you can ‘downgrade’ from the hospital pads.
6 weeks after birth commence gentle daily scar massage and book in for a mummy MOT with a local service provider to get you recovering as well as possible.
For more information on how hypnobirthing can be used for caesarean births, read our blog.
Caesarean births might be your first or second choice of birth, but regardless they can be just as magical as a vaginal delivery, the key is to be well prepared and empowered that you are doing the right thing for you and your baby.
More From The Positive Birth Company
Positive C-Section Birth Stories
Want to read real birth stories from people in our community who had c-sections? Then click below!
Our Hypnobirthing Course can be used for any type of birth, yes even cesareans! Click below to read about our Hypnobirthing Pack, and how you can use it to feel calm, confident and excited about your birth!
