Pre-op expectations

[sianilovesbeingamummy]

I have my pre-op this afternoon, ELCS on Tuesday 7th May, and i am just wondering what to actually expect. I haven't seen my midwife/consultant for 9days now so i am hoping that they will do antenatal checks at the hospital too.... is this something they will do or should i request a quick check of bp and baby's heart? Any other information you feel i may find helpful would be appreciated

[MolotovCocktail]

Hi, I had an ELCS in April last year. My memory of the pre-op is a little hazy now (eclipsed by the wonderful birth and my lovely dd2!)

You will have an ante-natal check. You will be required to provide a urine sample and a blood test. You will meet with the anaesthetist and discuss and concerns/thing he or she needs to know about your health. Aty hospital, I was swabbed (nasal and oral - not invasive or painful) for MRSA. You will probably be given ranitadine tablets (antacids) to take the night before and on the morning of the CS. There might be some signing of forms that you need to do.

As our hospital is a teaching hospital, we were approached about donating the placenta and umbilical cord for research, which we consented to.

You might also get to discuss birth preferences (music, lights dimmed, etc).

I was as nervous as heck the week before the CS but it all went according to plan and was such a lovely, calm birth. Hope it all works out for you, too. Good luck for today and May 7th! xx

[Rico08]

Ooh I'm glad you asked this. I'm having elcs next Thursday. I've had the MRSA swabs done and was told to just turn up at hospital Mon/Tues or Weds next week for blood tests.

Asked at midwife appointment on Tuesday what ward, time etc i will need to be there on Thursday and she just said oh ask when you go for your bloods doing! Feel like I don't know what I'm doing.

[sianilovesbeingamummy]

a doctor and an anaesthetist were present, consent forms signed and preferences noted..... I have opted for a spinal and consented to blood should transfusion be needed..... think the meeting is more for peace of mind and I certainly feel a lot more knowledgeable after my appointment..... bloods were taken and all usual antenatal obs completed, apart from listening to babys heart which I do like to hear but I will be seeing my little girl in 4days time and her movements are normal so not worried..... all starting to seem real now, it hadn't hit home until today that I am having another baby, a mum of 2...... bring on Tuesday, excited now xxx

[Rico08]

I was/am worried a I don't have an appointment the consultant just said turn up for bloods. Think I will call them tomorrow to pt my mind at rest. (I signed consent forms etc when I saw consultant)

Best wishes for Tuesday, I'm sure it will be here before you know it and you'll have your beautiful daughter in you arms.