Getting ready
Be ready for your c-section in the days and hours before your surgery.
Booking your surgery
Your obstetrician will book your surgery date with the hospital. We usually do elective C-sections during the daytime between Mondays and Fridays.
Pre-operative appointment
You will have an appointment with a labour and delivery nurse one to three days before your scheduled C-section. The nurse will talk to you over the phone or in-person at the hospital. During the appointment, the nurse will confirm your surgery time and answer your questions.
Bloodwork
You may need bloodwork before your surgery. This is usually done at your pre-operative appointment if it is in-person, or the morning of your surgery. If you need bloodwork done outside the hospital, the nurse will tell you where to go.
The day before your surgery
Pack your bag
Have your bags packed, but leave valuables at home. This includes wallets, credit cards, money and jewelry. See our suggested packing list.
Practice your exercises
Review and practice these exercises. They help prevent problems after your surgery.
Deep breathing and coughing exercises
These exercises help keep your lungs working well after your surgery.
- Breathe in deeply through your nose.
- Hold your breath for five to ten seconds and then breathe out slowly through your mouth. You will find you can breathe more deeply with each breath.
- Repeat again and on the third breath in, hold your breath for five to ten seconds. Cough two or three times in a row as you breathe out.
- Do these 10 times every hour you are awake after your surgery. Make sure you take normal breaths in between.
Foot and ankle exercises
Moving your feet and ankles will help fluid return to your organs and help your blood flow.
- Wiggle your toes.
- Point your toes towards the foot of the bed and then towards the ceiling.
- Move your feet in small circles.
- Do these exercises ten times every hour you are awake after your surgery.
Know when to stop eating and drinking
Make sure you know when to stop eating and drinking before your C-section. Read the instructions for eating and drinking and call our labour and delivery unit if you have any questions.
Your surgery may be rescheduled if you do not follow the eating and drinking instructions.
Insulin for diabetic patients
Follow your usual insulin orders for meals and bedtime the day before your C-section. You do not need to change or decrease the amount.
The morning of your surgery
Insulin for diabetic patients
Do not take any insulin the morning of your surgery. You may have clear, sugar-free fluids up until three hours before your surgery.
Makeup, jewelry and nail polish
Do not wear make-up, nail polish or jewelry. You may wear gel or acrylic nails if they are clear.
Arriving at the hospital
Please arrive two hours before your surgery time so our team can get your ready.
Park in the main hospital parking lot at the front of the building. You can pay for parking using the machines or use the HONK app to pay for parking at the Misericordia or Grey Nuns hospitals.
Leave your bags and car seat in your vehicle as you will be moved a few times before you get to your final room. Your support person can bring your bags and car seat to you once you are out of surgery.
If your surgery is at the Misericordia hospital, go to the labour and delivery unit (Unit 3 South) on the third floor. If your surgery is at the Grey Nuns hospital, go to the outpatient obstetrical unit (unit 31) on the third floor.
Getting ready for surgery
A nurse will take your vital signs, listen to your baby’s heartbeat, start an intravenous line and clip your pubic hair.
The anesthesiologist may see you before you go to the operating room.
Support person
One person may come with you to the operating room if you are having a regional anesthetic. We will give them scrubs to wear.
The support person should keep their wallet with them at all times.