C-sections
Experience a supportive, comforting birth environment no matter how you deliver. When you have a C-section at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Family Birth Center, you get the best in birth and delivery care.
At the Family Birth Center, we recognize that a c-section means the excitement of a birth as well as the physical recovery of surgery, and it’s our goal to make it the most memorable of births and easiest of recoveries.
Scheduled C-sections
A few days before your scheduled surgery, a nurse calls and confirms your arrival time and reviews important information with you. You need to stop eating solid food 8 hours before your procedure and stop drinking liquids 2 hours before your procedure. If you take insulin or other daily medications, your provider will give you directions on what medicine and how much to take on the day of your surgery.
If you get a cold, cough, fever, or any other health changes in the days leading up to your appointment, call your doctor right away. On the day of your cesarean section, plan to arrive at the Family Birth Center 90 minutes to 2 hours early.
Unplanned C-sections
As much as we are able, we strive to provide the same care for birthing persons and babies when the C-section is unplanned as when it is planned. The health of the baby and birthing person will determine what we are able to include in your birth.
What to expect
Your c-section birthing experience will be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Before your surgery, you’ll get medications that help prevent pain and nausea. This medicine can also help improve your body’s response to the anesthesia during and after your delivery.
You’re welcome to bring a birthing playlist that can play over Bluetooth speakers in our operating room. Clear surgical drapes are available if you or your partner would like to watch the birth procedure. In most cases, you can bring one support person with you into the operating room.
Recovery
You’ll be able to hold your baby right after birth if you’re both healthy. Just like you would after a traditional delivery, you’ll have uninterrupted time to:
Recovering from a C-section usually takes two or three days. You’ll stay in a private postpartum and recovery room along with your baby and support person. A nurse will help you get out of bed and walk around within 6 hours after your birth to encourage healing.
You and your body will be the guide to know when to begin drinking fluids and eventually advance to eating a regular diet. This often happens within the first few hours after delivery.
