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	Dr. David Shulkin
	Dr. Chris Magovern

	Morristown Medical Center
	Overlook Medical Center
	Newton Medical Center
	Goryeb Children's Hospital

	Morristown Medical Center
	Overlook Medical Center
	Newton Medical Center
	Goryeb Children's Hospital

Contact

Maternity Center Manager
Phone: 908-522-4838

Request a registration packet by e-mail
Email Us

Maternity Center Pre-Registration
Phone: 908-522-2304

Labor and Delivery Unit Coordinator
Phone: 908-522-4840

Labor and Delivery
Phone: 908-522-2333

Preparing for Cesarean Delivery

A Cesarean Section is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby in which an incision is made through the abdomen into the uterus and the baby is lifted out. If you have a scheduled Cesarean Section delivery, here's some information you'll need to know before, during and after the surgery.

Several weeks before your due date:
Be sure to send your pre-registration forms to the hospital before your due date or delivery date. If you do not have these forms, you may pick them up at your physician’s office, or call 973-971-6451 (for Morristown Medical Center) or 908-522-2333 (for Overlook Medical Center) and we’ll send them to you.

You may also consider registering for “Epidurals, C-Sections and More,” a two-and-a-half hour mini-class offered by Morristown Medical and Overlook Medical.

The night before your Cesarean Section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night’s sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning. Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication. Take a shower before coming to the hospital. Please leave valuables at home and keep your luggage in the car until you are transferred to the postpartum unit.

Admission
Admission to the hospital begins approximately two hours before your scheduled Cesarean Section time. Come directly to Labor and Delivery. Be sure to bring your insurance card and a driver’s license or some other form of identification. Your pre-registration forms will make the registration process much more efficient.

Before surgery
In preparation for your Cesarean Section, you will be asked to do the following:

Change into a hospital gown and provide a urine sample.
Have an intravenous line (IV) started in your arm or hand. Through this you will receive necessary fluids and medications as needed.
Have blood drawn.
You may be required to take a clear liquid antacid medicine.
Have your surgical site prepared (shaved). Do not do this in advance.
Be examined by your obstetrician and anesthesiologist, and asked to sign a consent form.

The nurse and/or doctor will answer any questions at this time.

Your procedure
One support person may accompany you to the operating room. You will be escorted into the room first, and your support person will be asked to change into his or her “scrub suit” and wait outside the room.

Your anesthesiologist will place the blood pressure, pulse and respiration monitors on you. He or she will then administer your anesthesia. A foley catheter will be inserted into your bladder. Your abdomen will be washed and sterile drapes will be placed over you. Your support person will be escorted in to sit next to you, and the Cesarean Section will begin.

A team consisting of a pediatrician or neonatologist and one or two pediatric nurses will arrive to take care of your baby as soon as he or she arrives. They will stabilize your baby and then bring him or her to you. Your support person will then accompany your baby to the nursery. You will be reunited in the recovery room.

Recovery room
Following the birth of your baby, you will be taken to the recovery room. Your blood pressure, pulse and respiration will be monitored closely. You may receive oxygen through a tube that fits loosely into your nostrils. You will be given time to become acquainted with your baby.

Your support person is welcome to visit you in the recovery room, but siblings of the baby are not allowed in the recovery room at any time.