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Childbirth

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Original poster

What is the uk protocol for eating before and after an ELCS?

21 replies

feesh · 27/02/2017 16:59

I live in the Middle East and I'm planning another ELCS for my next birth. For my last one, they wouldn't let me eat from midnight before, obviously, but what nearly finished me off was they still wouldn't let me eat for another 12-24 hours afterwards (I can't remember exactly how long, but I have never been so hungry in my life). I had twins and the fact that I was half starved really did not help me face the enormous life challenge that I was facing! And my milk didn't come in for days, which may have been related.

IF it's UK standard practice, I am happy to go along with it this time around, but if as I suspect they do actually let you eat in the UK after a c section then I am going to smuggle my own food this time and make damn sure I eat.

OP posts:
mimiholls · 27/02/2017 19:17

Yes I ate a couple of hours after. I had Lucozade straight away. I've never heard of this, did they say why?

Mummysh0rtlegs · 27/02/2017 19:18

I couldn't eat for several hours after my section and then longer as I reacted to the anaesthetic or something and was throwing up for hours afterwards (and during..).

Waitingonasmile · 27/02/2017 19:19

I had toast about 20mins after leaving the operating room.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 27/02/2017 19:20

Similar here. I couldn't eat the night before and until late the next evening. I think they like you to eat only a little bit after. Can't remember the reason though.

OfDragonsDeep · 27/02/2017 19:20

I had some toast a couple of hours after when I was back on the ward

Littlelegs19 · 27/02/2017 19:23

Mine was emergency but I was allowed to eat as soon as I had come round. About 2-3 hours after waking up I was offered toast which I couldn't eat as my mouth was so dry from the tube being in my throat! I had cornflakes instead and it honestly tasted so good!

Shutupanddance1 · 27/02/2017 19:25

Eh? Where do you live? I live in the Middle East and had EMCS due to pre eclampsia and had eaten during the day of, was allowed soft food next morning. probably could have got something during the night if I wanted tho but was too out of it to be hungry.

Original poster
feesh · 27/02/2017 19:52

This was in Qatar but I had a British doc and this was his protocol rather than the hospital's I think. It was something to do with my digestion (maybe they were waiting for me to 'pass gas' first), I can't really remember, but I remember thinking it was ultra cautious and really stupid! I will take emergency snacks with me this time in case it happens again, thanks everyone

OP posts:
Original poster
feesh · 27/02/2017 19:56

The reason I am worried is because I went to see my nanny in hospital last week - she had had a hysterectomy and they had her on a really restricted diet too. She hadn't been allowed to eat for ages after the surgery and even then only soft foods for a few days. They're so ridiculously over cautious here sometimes!

OP posts:
Mummyme87 · 27/02/2017 20:16

For elective surgeries you should starve for 6hours before although some areas are introducing light diet until a few hours pre surgery. Afterwards you can normally start eating soon afterwards.. try water first, then a cup of tea for examplefollowed by a light diet. There are cases of eating too soon causing an ileus so some places like to check for bowel sounds first

Squidgling · 27/02/2017 20:25

I had an emcs rather than elective so I'm not sure about whether you can eat before hand. I was eating snacks all through my labour but it's probably different. Afterwards though I was given toast with jam and tea with sugar whilst I was in the recovery room. Seems odd to not let you eat afterwards as surely that will make you even weaker!

M0stlyBowlingHedgehog · 27/02/2017 20:25

Nil by mouth from bedtime the previous night due to the anaesthetic, but no restriction on eating afterwards (I fell on a curled-up-at-the-corners, dried up sandwich like it was manna from heaven!)

MrsNuckyThompson · 27/02/2017 21:26

Nil by mouth for 6 hours before I think but ate afterwards I think. Pretty soon - within a few hours b

Mungobungo · 27/02/2017 21:34

For an elective lscs it'll be starve during from midnight the night before. Some hospitals used to have a policy that post-operatively they didn't like women to eat until bark sounds could be heard as if they touch the bowel during the op, it can go into spasm. Some places may still do this, however where I have worked no longer do this and women are able to eat a light snack (usually toast or sandwich) within a couple of hours of the op as long as they are physically well enough.

DuggeeHugs · 28/02/2017 18:34

Water only for 12 hours beforehand and food as soon as I got back on the ward. I also drank lots, including lucozade, so that I could provide the required 200 ml urine and get the cannula out as soon as I could feel my legs and walk to the loo!

SpookyPotato · 02/03/2017 11:15

I had to fast after midnight for a morning section but was able to eat soon after I'd woken up. I was starving!

wineapotamus · 02/03/2017 13:24

Does fasting include a cup of tea? I'm on the morning list for this Monday, but can't face anyone/thing without a cup of tea in bed, let alone an elective section! Tell me I can have tea?!

2014newme · 02/03/2017 13:26

No you can't have tea if you are fasting.
I was not allowed even water for 15 hours

wineapotamus · 02/03/2017 15:30

Waaaaaah! Thank you for being straight up. I can now mentally prepare...Sad

2014newme · 02/03/2017 20:06

At the time you don't care

SockQueen · 02/03/2017 20:35

Water is fine until 2 hours before. Some places will allow other clear fluids (so black tea would be ok, but not with milk) but not all.

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