How to Prepare for a Planned Caesarean Section

Preparing yourself for a planned Caesarean section can make the difference between stressful birth experience and an enjoyable one. More than one-third of all births in the United States result in a Caesarean section, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. Planning ahead will prepare you both mentally and physically for the surgery, your hospital stay and the weeks ahead.

Instructions

• 1

  Pack your hospital bag. Caesarean sections require a longer hospital stay than vaginal births, so pack enough clothes for three to four days. Make sure your clothes are comfortable and loose fitting so they do not press on your incision.

• 2

  Buy a nursing pillow. Nursing pillows allow you to hold your baby while keeping him off of your incision. You can also use a regular pillow or a rolled up blanket.

• 3

  Prepare your house. You will need to take it easy your first few weeks home from the hospital. You should avoid going up and down the stairs more the twice per day, so try to set up a centralized location for you and the baby to camp out.

• 4

  Precook and freeze meals for your family. Casseroles, taco meat, spaghetti and soups can be frozen and easily reheated. Buy disposable plates, cups and plastic wear to save time on cleanup, too.

• 5

  Enlist family and friends to help with older children and household chores. You will not be able to drive for at least two weeks, so find a family member or friend to pick up your children from school or drive them to after school activities. Ask someone to come over to help you with laundry or splurge on a cleaning service for the first month.

• 6

  The night before your Caesarean section you will not be able to eat or drink past midnight. You will be required to arrive at the hospital two hours before your scheduled Caesarean section. Have someone stay with your older children and bring them to the hospital later that afternoon. Keep the first day visitors to a minimum. Even though you won't have labored for hours, you will still be tired and groggy from the pain medication.