Eating before ELCS

[BeanCalledPickle]

This is not a major drama in the grand scheme of things but just wanted to check; last time I had an ELCS in a hospital that only did one a day. Had dinner the night before, went up at eight, baby at ten. Even with that short time frame I felt incredibly sick, weak and faint from lack of food. Struggled to get to the hospital in that state.

Now the hospital does five planned a day. They won't tell me where I am on the list ahead of it time. I'm assuming no later than 5pm but where does this leave me on the eating and drinking front? How far ahead do I actually need to not eat or drink?

I often wonder what they do if an EMCs is indicated and someone has eaten recently. I guess it all comes down to risk and i obviously want to minimise this but I don't want to be nearly passing out again before we've even kicked off!

For my ELCS I was asked to come to hospital at 10am. I was told I could eat a light breakfast before 6am. My section happened at 3pm and I did struggle to keep water down for a few hours after. I had toast at about 11pm I think. I really didn't fancy anything before then.

Others were asked to come in at 6am-ish and were asked not to eat after dinner the night before. They should tell you.

They've just said don't eat after midnight. This seems a bit of a blanket rule given I might be last at 5pm!

I was in hospital day before my section and it was decided the next day we'd do a section. I stopped eating at 10pm. Ds was born at 7.44pm the next day. I didn't eat til breakfast the following day!
You'll be fine. Promise.

And day before was going to be the section so starved that day, then at 6pm told no it's now tomorrow. So ate food between 6pm & 10pm. So hardly had any food.

I'm in the same situation as you OP! I am also worried I'm going to be starving all day...I've been told no food after midnight but potentially there are 3 ELCSs on the list plus EMCSs! Normally I wouldn't care but pregnant I'm starving and feel really horrid If I don't eat but I guess we will just have to cope! I know they do put us on a drip if necessary so we will not be dehydrated but no food...

I know that compared to other types of childbirth its way more predictable so I shouldn't complain! I also know that however bad my experience it will be over in 48 hours and I never have to do this again!

Spoke to a friend who is an anaesthetist. She said general rule is six hours food and two hours water. I guess they round it up as they have no idea quite what time they will get to you!

I was told I could eat up until midnight (and so I did!). But I couldn't drink water after 6am. I had to have my last sip then to take the tablet that they give you. They give these times to everyone at our hospital as they won't know until the day what time you'll go in (they do the list in the morning and it depends on emergencies).

I was supposed to be in the morning but there was an emergency section and they forgot to test my blood for platelets (which had been low throughout) so I ended up going in at around 2pm. They put me on a drip in the morning so I didn't get dehydrated and so I felt fine all day.

On a normal day I feel sick if I go for too long without eating (and that's when not pregnant) but I was fine, I didn't feel hungry at all beforehand and felt fine in myself.

Afterwards, I ate a lovely three course meal in the recovery room, less than an hour after my section! I'd heard of people being sick after just water but I was absolutely fine.

My CS is booked for 9am and I've been told not to eat anything after 2.30am. I'm glad I'n first on the list!

Three course meal?!? I got tea and toast. It was amazing.

Yes, I timed it very well! And I have no idea why people complain about hospital food, it was great.

I had an emcs and they kept delaying it (DS was premature and every day counts) so I didn't eat Thursday, Friday or Saturday - you'll be fine!

I had similar to PerryPears. I was nil by mouth from midnight on Saturday/Sunday to 11pm Sunday and then from midnight on Sunday/Monday until midday on Monday when I had tea and toast after my C-section.

With my 2nd C-section it was a vbac attempt and I was nil by mouth all day while waiting for induction (induction at 9pm in the end).