Your stomach must be empty for surgery. We do not want food from your stomach to get into your lungs during surgery. Your surgery will be delayed if you do not or cannot follow these instructions.
You may eat and drink anything (healthy choices are best). The day of your surgery: Up until 8 hours before surgery, eat as usual. Up until 6 hours before surgery, you may eat a light meal or low-fat snack.
To prepare for your caesarean section: You will need to fast. That means no food or drink, including water, for up to 6 hours before a planned caesarean. In some cases, you can drink clear fluids up until 2 hours before your admission.
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
Food items that can cause fatigue, lethargy, and slow recovery should be avoided. The diet chart after C-section recovery should also eliminate anything that takes a longer time to digest. Items like carbonated drinks, citrus juices, coffee, tea, and spicy food should be avoided as they increase bloating and gas.
Starting 2 hours before your C-section, do not take anything by mouth.
Eat Light Leading Up to Your C-Section
Soup, clear liquids, juices, and smoothies are best choices. Avoid meats and dairy, as these tend to cause bloating and heaviness.
What is the Golden Hour? After the birth of the baby, both vaginal and c-section birth, the Golden hour consists of uninterrupted and immediate skin to skin contact, limited interventions that are not necessary, if possible and desired having delayed cord clamping, and having the first feeding of baby completed.
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
It is important that your stomach is empty. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any toothpaste. Your operation will be cancelled and re-scheduled if you eat food or drink fluids other than those listed.
Shower and bath: The incision is water-tight within 24 hours after surgery. The bandage should be removed one day after surgery, and the incision should remain uncovered. Your first shower can be 24 hours after surgery.
Although healthcare providers recommend you wait to have penetrative sex after childbirth for at least four to six weeks, oral sex is usually fine sooner. Oral sex and other forms of "outercourse" or external simulation after birth could be safe even a few days after delivery.
Cesarean Section Preparation and Anesthesia
Sometimes, your arms will be strapped down in a T-position away from your sides. This is done to prevent you from accidentally interfering with the surgery. You may also have a catheter placed.
Preoperative fasting reduces the risk of emesis; however, prolonged fasting may lead to hypoglycaemia, dehydration, ketoacidosis, delayed recovery and reduced patient satisfaction (3–5). Pregnant women who are hypovolaemic may be at higher risk of hypotension after spinal anaesthesia.
DO NOT shave, wax or use cream to remove the hair on your lower stomach or pubic area for 1 week before your C-section. Hair removal uncovers more bacteria on your skin. It can increase the chance of infections.
You will be given a hospital gown to wear during your C-section, but make sure that before the procedure, you're wearing comfortable clothes that are easy to take off.
Your milk may come in anywhere from day 2 to day 6 (usually around days 2-3). If your milk is slow coming in, try not to worry, but put baby to breast as often as possible and stay in contact with your lactation consultant so she can monitor how baby is doing.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.
Under most circumstances, undergoing a c-section via Spinal Anesthesia or Epidural Anesthesia (rather than General Anesthesia) is preferred since it involves less risk and has the advantage of allowing you to be awake during your baby's birth.
Women who have a Cesarean section usually have a choice of two or three options: A general anesthetic, where they are completely unconscious, and two types of regional anesthetic known as “epidural” and “spinal” anesthesia. Regional anesthetics numb the body from the waist down.
Things to Avoid:
Sexual intercourse until your health care provider tells you that it is safe. The use of tampons or douche. Taking baths until your incision is healed and you are no longer bleeding. Public pools and hot tubs.
You can eat and drink normally up until 2.00 am on the morning of your operation. Do not chew gum or eat sweets after 2.00 am. Between 2.00 am and 6.00 am you may drink still plain water.
Gentle exercise, such as walking, will help you recover from your c-section. But avoid anything more active until you have no pain and you feel ready. For example, avoid driving, carrying anything heavy, having sex or doing heavy housework, such as vacuuming, until you feel able to.