Cesarean Delivery

One expectant mom out of every four gives birth via cesarean delivery-through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus rather than through the vagina.

These guidelines explain what to expect if you are scheduled for a cesarean.

The night before arriving at the hospital:

• No food after 9 p.m.
• No fluids after midnight.
• No smoking.
• Unless instructed by your physician, no medication after midnight.

Admitting

• Check in at Admitting, located just inside the hospital main entrance on the third floor. You will be taken to the Birth Center on the second floor.

  	For delivery scheduled at	Check-in at
  	7:30 a.m.	5:30 a.m.
  	8:30 a.m.	6:30 a.m.

• At The Birth Center, you will be taken to your room, and your nurse will perform a physical assessment.
• You and your support person will be given identification bracelets.

Prep

• Your nurse will review your birth plan with you.
• Nursing staff will start your IV.
• Your support person will change into scrubs.

Progressing to Childbirth

• You will be taken to the Birth Center 30 minutes before your scheduled delivery time.
• If another mother is experiencing a complicated delivery your scheduled cesarean may be delayed. This does not happen often, but it is important to be aware of the possibility.