Caesarean Section: Before Your Surgery
What is a caesarean section?
A caesarean section, or C-section, is surgery to deliver your baby through a cut the doctor makes in your lower belly and uterus. This cut is also called an incision. In most cases, the doctor makes the cut just above the pubic hairline. In other cases, it runs from the belly button to the pubic hairline. Both cuts leave a scar. It most often fades with time.
The surgery is often done while you are awake, but your belly is numb. This is called regional anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. This lets you be awake for the birth of your baby. Less often, you need general anesthesia. This means you are asleep during the surgery.
Most people go home between 1 and 2 days after the birth. You may feel better each day. But you will likely need about 6 weeks to fully recover. During the first few weeks you will need extra help with household chores. But you will be able to care for your baby. You can do things like holding and rocking your baby, breastfeed and change diapers.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
- If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. These medicines include aspirin and other medicines that prevent blood from clotting. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
- A nurse will contact you about a week before your surgery to give you more specific teaching instructions about the day of surgery.
- If you cannot speak English, you must have an interpreter with you on the day of your surgery.
What happens on the day of surgery?
Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be postponed or cancelled.
If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish. Gel nails are OK as long as your nail beds are clear.
Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that will not rub or put pressure on your incision (the cut made during surgery).
At the hospital or surgery centre
Bring a picture ID and your personal health card.
Leave valuables at home.
You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may make you sleep. Or it may just numb the area being worked on.
The surgery will take about 1 hour.
When should you call your doctor?
- You have questions or concerns.
- You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
- You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
- You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter F523 in the search box to learn more about "Caesarean Section: Before Your Surgery".
Adaptation Date: 04/09/2026
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
