Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

What should have happened at c-section pre-assessment???

21 replies

RubyrooUK · 09/03/2013 09:27

I was supposed to have my c-section pre-assessment yesterday but the clinic staff never turned up. I'm a bit nervous about a section as it is for medical reasons following birth injuries. So I have to have an emergency one if I go into labour first. I had lots of questions relating to this.

In the end a midwife from labour ward came up to see me and gave me some stockings and a prescription for antacids with some leaflets.

Aside from the fact I had to wait in the hospital for four hours with a toddler as people ummed and ahhhd (wasn't allowed to rebook as only a doctor can book you in and my c-section is next week so there isn't time) so was completely off my head, all they did was swipe my nostrils for MRSA and send me off to take blood.

They didn't do blood pressure or any other checks. And the midwife said she had no idea what is supposed to happen at the appointment so she couldn't give any advice. Someone will ring me before the operation to tell me what time to come in and answer any questions (they think).

So helpful ladies of MN, is there anything I should have learnt at this appointment or am I equipped enough?

OP posts:

Report

Panzee · 09/03/2013 09:37

I think that's about it. I just had someone give me ranitidine and talk through the consent form. A few days later I had blood taken. I met the surgeon and anaesthetist on the day itself. They will answer your questions then.

Pretty poor show that nobody turned up but I'm sure it will be fine on the day. Good luck, won't be long now! :)

RubyrooUK · 09/03/2013 09:42

Thanks Panzee. It's always reassuring when the people running the clinic say they have no idea what happens there!

OP posts:

AdmiralData · 09/03/2013 15:30

Hello Rubyroo, I had my c-section pre assessment yesterday :D
They sent me to the Day Assessment Unit, checked my blood pressure, took some blood and checked my temperature. A surgeon who performs c-sections (but not MY surgeon) spoke to me about risks and the procedure itself. I was given some ranitidine but not stockings. I declined their kind offer of an ibuprofen suppository after the c-section. I am having a c-section Monday :) Good luck with yours.

RubyrooUK · 09/03/2013 15:58

Thanks Admiral. I'm going to take the approach of crossing my fingers and hoping for the best when I turn up. Since I'm nearly 40 weeks now, I figure they have to do it sooner or later or the baby will actually fall out (something we all want to avoid..).

OP posts:

RoseandVioletCreams · 09/03/2013 16:51

can you call up PALS now, tell them what has happened and you are scared and what is supposed to happen.

RubyrooUK · 09/03/2013 17:28

Thanks Rose - I hadn't thought of PALS. I think I will call the labour ward before going in just to check a few things and if they are no help, I will try PALS.

OP posts:

LadyMetroland · 09/03/2013 22:42

If they offer you a suppository then please do TAKE IT! It removes pain comletely for around 16hrs (at least at my hospital it did) and is far far better than other forms of pain relief -- so I was told.

RubyrooUK · 09/03/2013 23:03

Oh don't worry Lady, I am taking all drugs that come my way. I'm not worried about the loss of dignity from a suppository when half of the doctors of the world came by "to have a little look at your stitching as I've only seen it in books" after DS1.

OP posts:

AdmiralData · 10/03/2013 07:45

Sorry Ruby, just realised how irresponsible my post was. I declined the suppository but they can administer the same drug via a drip (if that should be your preference, like mine) Good luck! x

RubyrooUK · 10/03/2013 09:02

Oh don't worry Admiral - I didn't think that you were being irresponsible at all! Thanks for posting again.

OP posts:

lotsofcheese · 10/03/2013 10:47

Just a quick question about nail varnish on toes - does anyone know if you need to remove it before a planned CS? I can't remember if I did before EMCS. Thanks! Xx

Meglet · 10/03/2013 10:54

lotsofcheese yes, I had to take mine off before my planned cs. They took it off for me when I had my EMCS. And they asked me to wax / shave the top of my bikini line so they could cut without hair in the way.

mrsminiverscharlady · 10/03/2013 10:59

You probably won't even notice them doing the suppository. They usually clean your vagina out at the end of the procedure and slip the suppository in at the same time. Unless your spinal has completely worn off you shouldn't even notice.

mrsminiverscharlady · 10/03/2013 11:03

Shaving is not usually performed now IME as it can slightly increase the chance of infection. If it does need doing it should be done immediately before the procedure.

Nail varnish 'rules' will vary - it shouldn't be an issue having it on your toes as long as your finger nails are clear of it (and even then as long as one or two are clear it should be fine). The reason people are asked to remove it is so that it doesn't interfere with the machine that checks your oxygen saturations - but this is normally put on your finger anyway.

lotsofcheese · 10/03/2013 11:14

Thanks for answering re: toenails!

I was half-shaved before my emcs - just from the top of my bikini line down to the top of the labia. I guess it was to make things easier to catheterise me & ensure no pubic hair got in the way of that or the section wound.

Don't remember anything about a suppository but I guess I didn't care by that point! I did require codeine for pain, once the spinal has worn off - but it really didn't do the trick so I had morphine.

mrsminiverscharlady · 10/03/2013 11:19

Hmm. Routine shaving really isn't good practice any more (check out the NICE guidelines). Personally I would query why they're doing it if they want to - it certainly doesn't make any difference re catheterisation (I catheterise every working day and I've never needed to shave anyone!)

VinegarDrinker · 10/03/2013 13:24

Hair can get caught in the skin wound when it is being sewn up, causing pain and higher risk of infection. We don't shave routinely but occasionally I ask for a razor prior to starting the op if there is fair where I am going to be cutting.

VinegarDrinker · 10/03/2013 13:25

Hair not fair!

RubyrooUK · 10/03/2013 23:26

Oh blimey - shaving? I haven't seen that area of my body for quite some time now. God knows the damage I would do trying serious deforestation at this point. Hopefully the doctors have seen it all before......or it's not quite as bad as I imagine and they can still get the baby out....

OP posts:

Stangirl · 11/03/2013 18:13

I got my DP to shave me before mine.

Panzee · 11/03/2013 20:49

I got shaved before the first one but not the second.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.