How does the process of an ELCS work on the day of surgery?

[MsHopey]

Hello,
I don't know if anyone knows anything about this or who to even ask.
I have got an ELCS planned for the 1st of August (not long now), I know there's usually 4 women or so planned for the same day with us all arriving at 7:30am. How do they choose who goes down to theatre first? While your waiting are you in your own gown in your own room? Or some weird waiting room with your bags and no where to go? I've read so much about the surgery and the recovery but no where does it really mention the morning of the surgery and the waiting around and things.

When I had my ELCS (Feb 2016) it was done partially on the first to arrive and priority. We were first to arrive and I have a lot of complicated anaesthesia issues so I went down first.

You stay in a waiting area until the others have arrived, they take you to a pre op/assessment area. Take obs and you change into your gown. Your birth partner is sent to change into scrubs. You leave your bags in your cubicle as you come back to there for monitoring after the surgery. Take in the baby grow and nappy with you. After observation of you and baby (if no need for NICU) then you are taken to the post natal ward.

Obviously this is based on my experience but from what I can gather from friends this is pretty much what is done for an ELCS.

Oh and the day before I had a pre op assessment- met the anaesthetist, physio etc

I went onto the ward you go on after having the baby to wait. Don't know how they organise who goes first but I ended up waiting about 4 hours in there (I was afternoon list and had thrown up my breakfast so I was absolutely starving!) Changed into gown and compression stockings, and partner into scrubs. They had a listen to baby and took my blood pressure, temp etc. Left all my stuff there as I returned there after the section. Then walked to theatre which was a bit weird with the open backed gown so I got them to give me another gown to put on backwards to cover me up a bit more for the walk! After the section obviously I'm in my bed so they just wheeled me back to my spot on the ward.

Sounds like each hospital is different - will you see a midwife before going in who might be able to answer your questions?

My hospital decided the priorities beforehand so made no difference when we arrived. We were taken to a private room on the labour ward to wait, put on gown & socks, saw the surgeon and anaesthetist for a chat... went & had a baby! Then wheeled back to the post natal ward.

Have you thought about a birth plan? It's worth considering - the NCT have a good template. I can't link but Google 'birth plan NCT planned cesarean' and it should pop up.

I have a midwife appointment a week before the section, so I'll ask them a few questions. I was just wondering about other people's experiences. I will have a look at the birth plan because I like to be prepared and I like to know what's happening. I am a planner and a researcher, so I think having a detailed birth plan when I see my midwife will help. I didn't even think to have one for a planned section tbh, I didn't think I had a lot of choice about what can happen for me.

I turned up at 7.30am, went into a private room on labour ward. DH got changed into scrubs and I put my gown and socks on. Midwife came and did paperwork, checked my blood pressure etc and listened to baby. Anaesthetist and obstetrician popped in. Walked round to theatre about 10am. Had cannula put in and then sat on the edge of the bed for the spinal. Once I was settled DH came in and sat on a stool by my head and they got started. Afterwards I went to recovery for skin to skin and DS fed. Was wheeled up to the postnatal ward about an hour later. Altogether a really positive experience. I asked to have the drapes down so I could see DS come out and DH took photos throughout, which are incredible.

Most Trusts I've worked at rank the list by priority so -
Diabetic women go first as they have been startled since midnight and are usually on a siding scale for glucose etc.
Women with abnormal placentation would also be ranked first.
Women with poorly fetuses would be slotted in around the NICU work plan.
Women who need a senior surgeon would be planned round the surgeon's clinics that day.
Women with a previous section /breech / maternal request would go last - unless there was a woman with CPE or MRSA or Hep - she would go last.

Most Trusts provide a bed space and a locker etc. It might not be the bed space you are returned to but your belongings will be moved to where you end up.