Information for your caesarean support person

If you are having a caesarean birth at Fiona Stanley Hospital you are strongly encouraged to bring your partner or another person for moral support and encouragement during your surgery.

Only one support person may accompany you into the operating theatre due to limited space and to reduce occupational safety and health risks. 

Most women who have a caesarean birth have an epidural anaesthesia and are awake during their surgery. If you become unwell during surgery you will be placed under general anaesthetic, which will send you to sleep and your support person will be asked to leave the theatre.

Before entering the theatre

Your support person will be given disposable theatre clothing to put over their own clothes and a hat to wear while in the theatre. For safety reasons your support person must wear clean, enclosed footwear only (no thongs).

During the birth

During a caesarean birth your support person must:

• only take pictures of you and your baby, not pictures of the staff or the surgery itself
• not use flash photography and film video
• not use a mobile phone to make or take calls, or to send and receive text messages.
• stay seated in the operating theatre unless otherwise advised by staff
• always remain seated when holding the baby.

After the birth

If possible, your support person can go to the recovery area with you and your baby and remain their until you are transferred to the ward. During this time your support person must:

• not use a mobile phone to make or take calls or send and receive text messages
• stay seated
• leave the area if asked do so during a medical emergency.

If your support person leaves the recovery area at any time during their stay they will be unable to return.