The following instructions apply to women planning scheduled Cesarean births at St. Cloud Hospital. These instructions are only general guidelines. They should not take the place of information you receive from your provider.

Before Arrival at the Family Birthing Center
If your surgery was arranged through the Family Birthing Center at St. Cloud Hospital, a registered nurse will call you before your surgery. The nurse will give you specific instructions and answer any questions you may have. If may be helpful to write down your questions and have them near the telephone in anticipation of this call.

If the nurse has been unable to reach you by 4 p.m. the day before your surgery, please call the Family Birthing Center nurses’ station at (320) 255-5745.

Please refer to the instructions below. They will guide you on what to eat or drink in the hours before surgery. Please follow these instructions. If you do not, your surgery may be cancelled or delayed.

Before Surgery

• Sips of water are permitted up to 3 hours before arrival at the Family Birthing Center.
• No food is permitted after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Do not chew gum, suck on candy or smoke after midnight the night before your surgery.
• You may take all medications except:
  No diuretics or antihypertensives with diuretics
  No Norpace medications with diuretics
  No MAO inhibitors
  No oral diabetic medications (check with your doctor about insulin)
  No blood thinners
  No Vitamin E
  No garlic

Day of Surgery
Please arrive promptly at the time given to you by the nurse. You may use the South Entrance, located off of 6th Avenue North at the intersection of 13th Street North, or the North Entrance located near the entrance of the North Visitor Lot, located off 6th Avenue North and 15th Street North.

An Admissions desk is available at both the South and North Entrances. Please check in with Admissions. For admissions before 5 a.m., please use the Emergency Room entrance as hospital doors are locked until 5 a.m.

We suggest that you wear casual, comfortable clothing. Please do not bring any valuables or money with you. You may bring music to help you relax.

Helpful Hints

• Notify your doctor if you have a cold, flu or high temperature during the days before surgery.
• You may not take a shower or bath. Please do not shave or clip the pubic area.
• Use the SAGE product to clean the abdominal area.
  Instructions for Use of SAGE Skin Preparation Products (PDF)
• Remove all nail polish, jewelry, piercings and acrylic nails.
• If you wear glasses or contacts, bring a glasses case or contact supplies with you.
• Bring your insurance information.
• Remember to bring a camera with working batteries.
  

Arrival at the Family Birthing Center
Preparation for your surgery will begin as soon as you arrive. We will bring you to a comfortable room, where you and your family will stay until you go to surgery.

You will change into a hospital gown, robe and slippers. Your comfort and dignity are of utmost importance to us. We will respect it at all times.

A nurse will assist in preparing you for surgery. An anesthesiologist also will visit you to discuss anesthesia options and answer any questions. When it is time for surgery, we will bring you to the operating room. We will give your support person scrubs to wear. A staff person will stay with him or her during the surgery.

Additional family members can stay in a waiting area.

After Surgery
Following surgery, you will go to the Recovery Area where you will be closely monitored by nursing staff. Your baby and support person may be with you unless your medical condition warrants otherwise.

After your stay in the recovery room, we will move you to your postpartum room. You will stay in this room until discharge. Your family may join you in your room. At discharge, please park your car in the designated 10-minute discharge parking area right outside the Family Birthing Center on the top floor of the South Ramp.

Depending on the type of anesthesia you have, you should not sign any legal documents for up to 72 hours following your surgery.