What happens at c-section pre-op?

[flowerybeanbag]

I have my pre-op booked for Monday and I understand the appointment is for an hour.

I know they will give me some pills I need to take before the operation and I assume part of the appointment will be about explaining what happens, but is that really an hour's worth? Anything else going to happen?

TIA

[meep]

goodnes - I didn't get anything like that! Is your c-section on Monday too?

[elvislives]

I just got to talk to the anaethetist about what would happen/ previous medical history and that sort of thing. Had bloods taken, blood pressure taken, weighed. We probably were there for an hour.

[KnickKnacksCauldronOfHorrors]

I don't remember getting any pills.
I changed into a hospital gown, they put in a catheter and did a quick shave. The whole thing probably only took 10 minutes...definitely not anywhere close to an hour! (although my memory is not what it used to be so I could be wrong!!)

[bigstripeytiger]

My appointment didnt take an hour. I think that there wasnt much to the appointment, just an explanation, and the ranitidine tablets, and advice to fast before the op. They didnt take any bloods, which I had thought they might.
The consent form and blood tests were done after I had gone in on the morning of the section.

[flowerybeanbag]

Ooh interesting. C-section is on Wednesday, it's a complete faff having to go in twice. I've already been given loads of printed information when I had my date booked, and there is where it says about being given medication to take beforehand, I think thats to stop sickness or something.

[KnickKnacksCauldronOfHorrors]

Ahh! ignore my post...thats what happens immediately before the section, I thought that was what you meant by pre-op!

[flowerybeanbag]

Did you not have a separate appt a couple of days before then I assume KnickKnacks? It does seem a wee bit over the top, especially because I guess there's likely to be a lot of sitting around waiting on the Wednesday anyway. I have to be there at 7am, which is another nightmare as the hospital is some way away from where we live so we'll have to aim to leave at 6.

[meep]

nope - no pre-op meeting for me. Unless you haven't signed all the consent forms yet? I had a meeting with the consultant about 4 weeks before my planned date to sign consent forms and ask any questions I wanted to.

Altho a faff it might actually be quite nice to meet them so close to the op - on the day itself I was a mixture of nerves & excitement and I am sure there were more things I wanted to talk about than I actually did.

Good luck for Wednesday!

[flowerybeanbag]

I haven't signed forms yet, no, was given them to take away with all my gumpf at my last appt when the date was booked in.

You are right about it being good to meet them meep, I am actually pleased to have the opportunity to ask questions before the day, even though it's a pain getting there, but just wondered what was the need for an hour appointment really.

Thanks for good luck meep, and thanks all for v quick responses!

[carriedababi]

KK why did you need a cathater at a pre op?

good luck FBB really hope it all goes well for you

[meep]

KK did they shave you and put in your catheter before your spinal block? ouch!

Flowery - I bet you are only in there for about 10mins!

[KnickKnacksCauldronOfHorrors]

meep..shave/catheter done on the ward before I went up to theatre, don't remember it hurting, just uncomfortable weird feeling.

carrie, I was talking about immediately pre/before the c-section, not the "pre-op" that you guys are talking about. crossed wires on my part!