Home
Patient Education
Search Clinical Content Search Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) OB Cesarean Section Patient Education

ERAS is a pathway based on the best health care on hand.

It is teamwork between you, doctors, nurses, and others helping you heal.

 

  • This handout will give you and your family an outline of what to expect and what you need to do before your cesarean (C-Section). Your healthcare team will follow the ERAS steps to help you heal safely and quickly. You are the main member of this team. As your partners in this process, we will teach you how to take an active role in your recovery. If you have any questions during this process, please ask your doctor and/or nurse.

 

Your Cesarean Section (C-section) is scheduled for: _______________________________.

  • If you take blood thinning medication, please ask your obstetrician when you should STOP taking this medication.

  • Make a post-delivery follow-up appointment with your obstetrician as directed.

Arrive for your surgery at:______________________________________ 

 

Before Surgery

 

Nutrition: We suggest eating more carbs for 1 to 2 days before your C-Section. This will help your body have the strength you need for surgery and your recovery.

  • Foods that are good sources of carbs are these:

    • Beans and lentils

    • Rice

    • Milk

    • Cereal

    • Fruit

    • Bread

  • If you have diabetes (high blood sugar), your doctor may make other suggestions about your diet.

  • At bedtime on the night before your C-Section:

    • Drink 20 ounces of Gatorade®, Ensure Pre-Surgery®, or a sports drink choice.

      • If you have high blood sugar, drink G2® Lower Sugar Gatorade® or a low-sugar sports drink choice.

    •  Stop eating solid foods 8 hours before your scheduled hospital arrival time.

    • You may have clear liquids until 2 hours before you come (you may have water, sports drinks, black coffee without milk or creamer, and juice without pulp).

 

Prepping Your Skin: You can help stop an infection after a C-Section by making sure your skin is clean. Lower the number of germs on your skin by safely washing and following these steps:

  • Shower or bathe with soap the night before your C-Section.

  • If you have time, shower again on the day you give birth.

  • Do not shave your tummy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to bathe with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) soap:

 

Your doctor will ask you to shower or bathe with a special soap called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) soap. Only use this soap if your doctor tells you to do so. Do not use this soap if you are allergic to CHG. Please follow these orders to make sure your skin is clean.

 

1. Shower or bathe with CHG soap the night before your C-Section. 

   a. The doctor may ask you to also shower the day of your C-Section. Please use CHG soap at this time as well. 

 

2. With each shower or bath, wash your hair with your normal shampoo. 

 

3. Rinse your hair and body well after you shampoo your hair. This helps remove the shampoo excess. 

 

4. Use the CHG soap on your body from the neck down. Do not use CHG soap near your eyes or ears to avoid permanent injuries to those areas. Also do not use CHG soap on your vaginal or rectal area. 

 

5. Wash your body for 5 minutes. Do not scrub your skin too hard. 

  a. Do not wash with normal soap after using CHG soap. 

  b. If showering, turn the water off while bathing, so you do not rinse the soap off too soon. 

 

6. Rinse your body well with water after you bathe.

 

7. Pat yourself dry with a clean, soft towel. 

 

 

Pain: Your doctor will talk with you about how to handle your pain after your C-Section. You may get your meds at this time or before leaving the hospital.

 

Pain Block: The doctor who gives you the medicine to sleep during the surgery will talk to you. You will learn how the numbing meds will help with pain after your C-Section.

 

Movement: Your doctor will review the value of getting out of bed and walking after surgery.

The Day of Your C-Section

 

Diet: You may eat solid food up to 8 hours before your scheduled hospital time to arrive. You may drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before your scheduled time. Clear liquids are water, broth, apple juice, and coffee or tea without milk or creamer.

  •  2 hours before your hospital arrival time:

    •  Drink 8 ounces (1 cup) of Gatorade®, Ensure Pre-Surgery® or a sports drink choice. If you have high blood sugar, drink G2 Lower Sugar Gatorade® or a low-sugar sports drink choice.

    • When consuming your Gatorade, take your normal daily meds, as led by your doctor.

    • Do not drink anything after you drink your Gatorade® and take your meds.

  • Before coming to the hospital:

    • If you are not in active labor: shower, or bathe with your CHG soap.

    • Do not shave or mark your skin near your tummy.

    • Remove all jewelry, along with body piercings. Leave all jewelry at home.

    • Wear loose, cozy clothing.

 

After Your C-Section

  • Diet: You will be able to eat within 2 hours after your C-Section.

    •  Chew gum if you are not able to drink or eat. This has been shown to speed up your bowel recovery after surgery.

  • Urinary Tube: The tube draining your bladder will be removed as soon as you get back the skill to move.

  • Movement: You will be up and out of bed with help and walking in the hallway 4 – 5 times daily. There is always a risk of getting blood clots after surgery, the risk is decreased with walking.

  • Pain Care: You will be given two other non-opioid meds, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, for pain care. You will rotate taking these meds to keep your pain under control.
If you have any questions about these what to do, please call your doctor’s office.

 

Powered by
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.