INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR SCHEDULED CESAREAN SECTION

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL

Your cesarean section is scheduled on_______________________ at ___________________. You should arrive at _____________. (3 hours prior to procedure)

Before your Cesarean section:

1. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING AFTER ___________    am / pm ON________________.  (8 hours prior) Your surgery could be delayed if this is not followed.

2. You may drink clear liquids until ______ am/pm. Examples of clear liquids are water, apple juice, coffee WITHOUT any milk or creamer, Gatorade or Powerade, etc. (3 hours prior) Your surgery could be delayed if this is not followed.

3. Remove all jewelry, including body jewelry and piercings, hair pins, contact lenses, dentures, fingernail polish, and hearing aids prior to surgery.

4. If you take any medications, check with your doctor prior to surgery to see if they should be taken the day of the surgery.

5. Please DO NOT bring any of your baby’s belongings (car seat, diaper bag, clothing, etc.) to Labor and Delivery. It will not be needed until you have moved to Unit 56.

Day of Surgery

1. Take a shower prior to coming to the hospital.  If possible, it is recommended that you shower with Hibiclens soap, which can be found over the counter.  Please DO NOT shave the pelvic area prior to your procedure.

2. Go to Labor and Delivery (Unit 54) on the 5th floor of the main hospital 3 hours before your scheduled cesarean section. Check in with the security desk. Tell them your name and that you are here for a C-Section.

3. All visitors over the age of 16 must have photo identification.

4. You will be taken to an area where your nurse will start an IV and draw blood. The team will have you sign consents and review paperwork.

5. The anesthesiologist will see you before you go to surgery.  They will explain to you what will be happening during the surgery.

6. Only one adult support person is allowed in the operating room during your surgery. This person will wear disposable scrubs over their clothes while in the operating room.

7. In cases where general anesthesia will be used, or in case of an emergency, a support person will not be able to stay in the OR.

8. In the OR, staff will be in the room to care for your baby. We will do our best to give you the option of skin-to-skin contact with your baby even as we are doing your procedure.

After the Surgery:

1. After the baby is born, you will be in the recovery room for at least two hours.

2. One adult visitor will be allowed to be with you.

3. After your recovery is completed, you will be moved to Unit 56.

4. Unit 56 will allow visitors based on current hospital guidelines. Visitation restrictions may apply.

5. You should plan to begin eating and getting out of your bed within 2-4 hours after your procedure

6. Your foley catheter, which drains your bladder, will be removed 7-12 hours after your procedure

7. You will have soft compression devices on your legs while you are in bed. These are important to keep in place to prevent blood clots after your procedure.

8. You may also receive an injection to prevent formation of blood clots 1-2 times daily while in the hospital

9. Plan on staying in the hospital for 2-4 days after surgery.  This is dependent upon discharge for you and for your baby

10. Your baby stays with you at all times, if possible. This is called Rooming-In. 

11. For pain control, you may be given medications that may make you sleepy. We want you to have a support person stay with you to help you care for the baby while you are recovering. In most cases, Tylenol and Ibuprofen are adequate for pain control and these are the safest options for you and baby.  If your pain is not controlled with these medications, we will discuss other options that are generally safe for you and for your baby if you are breastfeeding.

12. Please have your baby’s car seat brought to Unit 56 shortly after you are transferred.

13. In order for you to be safely discharged, you should be able to walk, have pain appropriately controlled, urinate on your own, tolerate a solid diet and pass gas.

If you have any questions, please call Labor and Delivery.