Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Midwifery (RM)

Pre and Post Operative Management of the Mother (Caesaerean Section): Pre-Operative Management

Pre-operative caesarean management prepares the mother physically and emotionally for surgery while confirming indication, consent, safety checks, investigations, anaesthetic review, fetal status, and postoperative needs.

Purpose

  • Prepare safely for caesarean birth
  • Reduce surgical, anaesthetic, infection, and thromboembolic risk
  • Support informed consent and emotional wellbeing

Indications

  • Planned caesarean birth
  • Urgent or emergency caesarean birth
  • Transfer to theatre for maternal or fetal indication

Equipment

  • Pre-operative checklist and records
  • Vital and fetal monitoring equipment
  • IV and blood-sampling supplies
  • Urinary catheter and antisepsis supplies
  • Compression or thromboprophylaxis equipment as ordered
  • Theatre and neonatal resuscitation readiness

Preparation

  • Ensure theatre, anaesthesia, blood, neonatal, and transport teams are notified.
  • Use an interpreter and support person with consent.

Procedure steps

  • Confirm identity, indication, urgency, gestation, allergies, blood group, consent, and surgical or anaesthetic plan.
  • Assess maternal vital signs, symptoms, fetal heart, contractions, bleeding, membranes, and last oral intake.
  • Explain procedure, anaesthesia, partner or support arrangements, newborn contact, feeding, pain relief, and expected recovery.
  • Ensure investigations, blood availability, IV access, prescribed antibiotics, antacid, thromboprophylaxis, and medicines are addressed.
  • Remove jewellery and unsafe items, prepare skin according to policy, provide gown, and maintain privacy.
  • Insert urinary catheter and complete bowel or other preparation only when prescribed or required.
  • Perform surgical safety checks, confirm site and procedure, and ensure consent and documentation are complete.
  • Communicate maternal and fetal risks, allergies, infection risks, and special needs to theatre and neonatal teams.
  • Provide emotional support and transfer safely with complete handover.
  • Document preparation, checklist, education, medicines, observations, consent, and handover.

Precautions

  • Never proceed without confirming identity, indication, consent, allergies, and safety checks unless emergency policy governs immediate life-saving action.
  • Use aseptic technique for IV and catheter care.
  • Do not delay emergency delivery for non-essential preparation.
  • Assess and prevent thromboembolism and infection according to policy.

Aftercare

  • Complete structured theatre handover and retain copies of records.
  • Prepare the mother for immediate postoperative monitoring and newborn contact.

Nursing considerations

  • Use a calm, trauma-informed approach even in emergencies.
  • Keep the woman informed while coordinating rapid multidisciplinary care.

Patient education

  • Explain surgery, anaesthesia, fasting, catheter, pain relief, mobilization, wound care, feeding, and warning signs.
  • Invite questions and confirm understanding.

Documentation

  • Record indication, urgency, consent, observations, fetal status, tests, medicines, checklist, education, and handover.
  • Document deviations or emergency decisions.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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