ELCS Operation: what happens?

[MeMeMeow85]

Booked in for an ELCS in a few days. I’ve read the NHS pages about what happens, but it doesn’t tell me how long the operation will take and what happens afterwards??

Will the baby and DH stay with me in the operating room? Will we all be in the recovery room together? How long do I need to stay in recovery room? When can I eat after the operation?

Thank you for any feedback :)

I've had two, both times the baby stayed with us in theatre and then into recovery. The operation doesn't take long at all. Once you've had your spinal it takes 10-15 mins for the baby to arrive and as most people say it feels like someone is doing washing up in your tummy.

Then there is another 20-40 mins (hazy memory) to be stitched up. The only time my partner left me was to take his scrubs off whilst I was I. Recovery and then he stayed with me.

First time round emcs I was given some toast and second time elcs I had a cheese and pickle sandwich waiting for me with a banana and yogurt.

I would recommend taking something with fibre in for digestive comfort as it's important to keep things as easy as possible for yourself. I took fig rolls and ate plenty of prunes after which helped in that department.

My daughter was born at 17:30 and we were on the ward before visiting time started at 19:00.
Timings in between that are a bit hazy!
Once DD was born the drs/mw checked her over, weighed her, wrapped her up etc. OH was allowed to trim the cord.
She was then brought over to me and rested on my chest whilst I was being stitched up c. 30 mins.
For transfer to recovery suite she was placed into a little crib and wheeled in behind me (OH walked alongside her).
Once in recovery she was stripped off and we had skin to skin and the mw helped to latch her on. I think I was in there maybe 30 mins ish.
Then she stayed latched on whilst I was wheeled to the ward.
I started to vomit on the ward and was given an injection to stop it. I think I had some toast later on in the evening for supper.
OH went to put his scrubs on whilst I was initially taken into theatre, so we were apart for a few minutes then - I think he must have taken his scrubs off when dd was first latching on (I can't remember). But we were essentially together the whole time.

I had my twins by ELCS. Think it took about an hour and a half once I got in the room, but time just didn’t really seem to exist whilst it was happening! My first bubs was born after 45 mins of going in (took a bit of time to get the epidural in as I was so massive) cleaned up and was passed to me and didn’t leave me at all, second bubs wasn’t breathing so was taken to SCBU for extra help. My husband flitted between us, but baby 1 only left me for minutes whilst I was transferred to my bed. In recovery I had baby one on me for skin to skin, and I finally got to meet baby two and also had skin to skin.

I think all in it took about 4 hours including time in the recovery room, I ate as soon as I was on the ward - it wasn’t food I was desperate for, but a drink as I was dying of thirst, and I guzzled water and then a Fanta in the recovery room.

Had we not had the scare with twin 2, my husband and the babies wouldn’t have left my side for the whole thing.

Good luck OP!

Hi OP. I had my ds by elcs 12 days ago.
Was 4th on the list, due to go down at 2pm but ended up being almost 5pm. Was starving!
Dh was allowed in theatre throughout including the spinal. All the prep took about 10 mins, 15 mins to get baby out then another 30 mins to stitch up.

Recovery room was meant to be 30 mins but due to ds not breathing properly it was 2.5 hrs and he was then put in neo natal unit.

I had to go back to the ward and share a room with mums and babies for the night which was torture

They tried to get me up and walking at 3am to see my baby but as soon as I was out the bed I almost fainted so we postponed till the morning.

My recovery has been amazing. My scar is almost none existent and I'm able to walk easily for 1-2 hours each day. I honestly don't even feel like I've had surgery.

Hope all goes well for you :)

Thanks all for your replies. I had my little one by ELCS last week. A wonderful experience. Now on day 9 and feeling great! Smooth, calm delivery and very quick recovery. All the best with your babies x

Congratulations - glad it went smoothly. Enjoy your little bundle!