Elective CS - got appt with anaesthetist - what do i need to ask?

[marymillington]

anyone know?

I dont think I asked anything, he jsut talked through the whole procedure with me.

So did mine....they were really nice in theatre!

Agree, I am sure they will go over everything with you. I imagine you just need to ask about the practical stuff like how long will you be in after, visiters etc.. I know my SIL could not have any visiters for the first day (other than DH of course) as she was in high dependancy unit. That said, I wasnt, so no problem there.

same here, nothing that i had to ask, they just went thru the procedure.

visitors

Hi hon,
They will want to assess you to plan a safe and comfy procedure for you and baby.
Best things to have clear between you are

1. method of anaesthesia - awake or asleep - they will usually advise awake if poss, but differs according to individual risk factors.
2. pre operative starvation
3. plan for pain relief afterwards
4. possible complications of any technique
5. partner/friend in theatre (if awake), what they should expect.
6. Do you want to have baby close immediately afterwards ie peace to try to breast feed in recovery etc.

Hope that helps
All the best
GG

It's a bit superficial of me, but ask how they schedule c-sections on the day. In my hospital they get you all in at 7am and you're not allowed to eat anything after midnight the day before. As I was seen as uncomplicated, I was put fourth out of four sections and by the time I went in at 3pm, I was so hungry I'd have glad swapped the baby for a flapjack. If they could have told me that I'd have been going in last at the beginning of the day, I'd have been able to have breakfast or at least drink water (you're only allowed a few sips otherwise).
Pol

I second that polly. I was another umcomplicated one and I only managed to get into theatre earlier because of extra staff. I was starving, it was the first thing I asked for when I got out of theatre and even then they made me wait (in case I was sick).

I would also ask about visitors, I didn't and everyone brought their kids with them, who weren't allowed in. It was horrible, the little ones don't understand why they can't see the baby. DH was forever nipping out to the hallway to show him through the window.
Most things are explained and then re-explained and then explained on the day again.

I didnt get in til nearly 6pm because they were trying to push me into a vaginal delivery. I jsut drank anyway I really couldn't manage wihtout.

thanks everyone

You can ask him/her to actually 'show' you where the epidural or spinal will go in and explain the procedure as they practice it in the hospital. He/she will touch your spine and explain everything. You can ask what their prefered method is- spinal or epidural - and you can ask aout the risks associated with each, if you want.