While having a baby in and of itself is a big feat, having to have major surgery as a part of this process can make even the bravest new mom nervous. Luckily, c-sections have become much more common and, when scheduled, can be an extremely safe way to get your baby here. 

But despite this, it can still be helpful to come to the hospital ready both mentally and physically for what you and your baby will likely go through during this process. To help you with this, here are three tips for preparing yourself for a c-section. 

Find A Doctor You Trust

One of the things that can help you feel much more comfortable and confident with this form of delivery is having a doctor you trust. 

According to Carrie Murphy, a contributor to Parents.com, it’s ideal to have the same doctor throughout your entire pregnancy so you can build this rapport and trust together as well as rest easier that your doctor knows you well and understands everything that’s going on throughout your pregnancy. Because of this, it’s crucial to pick the right doctor from the onset. 

When deciding on what doctor you’ll use for your pregnancy, labor, and delivery, it’s worth asking for personal referrals and looking at online reviews or cases that mention any medical malpractice suits, as these things could indicate a doctor that you might not want to work with during this all-important procedure.

Schedule Your Surgery Early In The Day

As the day for your c-section gets closer, it could be beneficial to you to strategically plan when to schedule the surgery to take place.

Rebecca Gruber, a contributor to PopSugar, shares that it’s usually best to schedule your c-section for earlier in the day. Because many doctors will require patients to fast prior to a c-section, getting your surgery done earlier in the day can make this part of the process much easier. Additionally, you may have a better chance of your surgery happening at the time it’s scheduled if you plan for one earlier in the day, since other labor and deliveries or emergency c-sections could potentially postpone your planned c-section. 

Clean The Area Of The Incision

On the day of your planned c-section, there are a few things you’re going to want to do to ensure that you’re ready for your surgery.

According to Dr. Robin Elise Weiss, a contributor to Very Well Family, one of the most important things is that you clean the area of your incision. This includes using antibacterial soap so that the area of the incision is at a lower risk of getting infected post-op as well as ensuring that you’ve removed the hair from the area. Ideally, this should be done with clippers rather than a razor to further reduce the chances of infection. 

If you’ll be having a planned c-section soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this procedure.