This is an information brochure for you, who will be having a planned caesarean section at Rigshospitalet.

Date of caesarean section

In the clinic, you have been given a scheduled time for the caesarean section. In rare cases, due to our scheduling and emergency situations, we may need to change this date. A doctor will assess whether your caesarean section can be postponed and inform you as early as possible.

Preparation for caesarean section

Prior to the caesarean section, you will receive a call from a midwife, who will inform you about what will happen on the day of the operation. The call takes approximately 30 minutes. You will also be informed about when you should arrive on the day of the operation. You will either receive a call from the anaesthesiologist on the same day or have a conversation with the anaesthesiologist on the day of the operation, where you will have the opportunity to ask additional questions, including about the anaesthesia.

You will be receiving a phone call between 8am and 4pm on

__________day the _________ /_________

Arriving for the caesarean section

You must attend at entrance 5 on the 3rd floor in ward 5033 at the recovery room on

__________day the ________ / __________ at _________ am

Prior to your caesarean section

• Please take a shower and shave the upper part of the pubic hair.
• It is important not to apply any skincare products after the shower.
• Please remove any nail polish.
• Avoid wearing jewellery, watches, and hair accessories.
• Bring a toothbrush and any medication you usually take.
• You must fast (not eat) from midnight, although you can drink water or diluted fruit juice up to 2 hours before the caesarean section (it is important that you adhere to this).

On the actual day

You arrive at the ward at the appointed time. Here, you will be received by the staff, who will take care of you before and after the caesarean section.
Both you and your companion must change into hospital attire. A catheter will be inserted into a vein in one of your hands. This will be used to administer medication during the caesarean section. A midwife will perform an external examination, listen to the baby's heartbeat, and possibly perform a scan if your baby is in a breech position.

Afterwards, you and your companion will go to the operating room, where the anaesthesiatic team will be ready.

Anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia: The anaesthesia is administered by the anaesthesiologist first injecting local anaesthesia into the skin, followed by the actual anaesthesia between two vertebrae in the back.

You will be awake throughout the procedure, but numb from the chest down. However, some sensation may be preserved, and you may feel when you are being touched.

General anaesthesia

This is only applicable in very rare cases and will generally be prearranged.

The caesarean section

Once the anaesthesia takes effect, a catheter will be inserted into your bladder. Then, the abdomen will be disinfected.

A drape will be placed in front of you and your companion, who will be seated near your head.

During the caesarean section, the anaesthesiatic team will monitor you with small electrodes on your chest, and your pulse and blood pressure will be measured frequently. The oxygen level in your blood will be measured with a clamp on your finger.

When everything is ready, an approximately 15 cm horizontal incision will be made in the skin just above the pubic hair. The baby will be delivered within a short period of time. When the baby is being delivered, pressure will be applied to the top of your abdomen. It may feel uncomfortable but will be over quickly.

When the baby’s head is out, the drape can be lowered for you to see the baby being delivered and have the baby placed on your chest immediately. In case of a breech delivery, the actual birth cannot be seen, but there is still an opportunity to have the baby placed on your chest right away. If you prefer not to see anything, the drape will remain up, and the baby will be brought to you as soon as possible. Afterwards, the placenta is delivered, and you will be stitched up.

If the baby needs immediate assistance after birth, the baby will be taken to a warm table in the operating room for examination. Before you are taken to the recovery area, the baby will be weighed and measured.

Recovery

After the surgery, you will be taken back to the recovery room. Your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels will be monitored. We will ensure that your uterus contracts properly and that you're not experiencing excessive bleeding.

Your legs will be numb until the anaesthesia wears off, and the recovery period usually lasts 1.5-2 hours.

You will receive the necessary pain medication, and you'll be provided with a dosing box containing pain medication for one day at a time.

If you wish to breastfeed, the staff will assist you in breastfeeding shortly after your arrival at the recovery room. The pain medication you receive has no effect on the baby, since only a small dose passes into breast milk.

The recovery is an intensive care fase, and for the sake of staff and other patients, visitors are not allowed in the recovery room.

Your partner/companion is of cause welcome to be present during the caesarean section in the operating room and afterwards in the recovery room.

After the caesarean section

The anaesthesia will usually wear off completely within 4-6 hours, and then you will be assisted in getting out of bed as soon as possible. Your catheter will be removed, and spontaneous urination is expected within 4 hours. The experience of getting out of bed for the first time may vary.

You will receive the necessary assistance and pain medication. Most of the pain will come from the incision site, but some may also experience shoulder pain.

It is important to get your digestion going again, and you are encouraged to focus on moving as much as possible, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating high-fibre foods. The staff will inquire about your bowel function within the first 24 hours.

You can take a shower after 24 hours, where the dressing can be removed by the staff or by yourself.

There will be some small adhesive strips left over the wound, which will fall off on their own, or you can remove them after 1 week. The wound is stitched with threads that will dissolve on their own.

When you can tolerate touching the scar, which may be numb for weeks after delivery, it is a good idea to massage the scar in circular motions (e.g., when showering), as it promotes scar healing.

You should avoid exposing the scar to sunlight for the first year after the caesarean section.

Practical information

During admission, it is recommended to bring as little luggage as possible. Bring toiletries and comfortable clothing for yourself after the caesarean section. Additionally, you can bring a small hat for the baby.

Returning home

It is expected that you will be ready to go home after two overnight stays. You should follow the general guidelines for postpartum recovery in terms of activities and exercise.

Please refer to the "Home again with a newborn" brochure for further information.

Best regards the staff at the obstetric ward

Rigshospitalet is a smoke-free area

Watch a film about caesarean section - in multiple languages!

On www.altomkejsersnit.dk, you can watch a film about a planned caesarean section.

There is also some written information.

The film follows a couple during the day of their caesarean section and it can be watched in multiple languages at:

www.altomkejsersnit.dk

Contact

You are always welcome to contact us in case you have any questions.

The Department of Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet

You can also send us a message via www.minsundhedsplatform.dk or through the app MinSP.