Hi There,
I saw your post and noticed no replies so though I’d share the little information I know in case it helps!
I’m due for for my elective c-section at Chelsea and Westminster tomorrow and had my preop checklist appointment yesterday at the hospital. For now this is what the protocol is, although bare in mind things may slightly change over time.
During your preop assessment they’ll take all your vitals, go through a basic medical history questionnaire, provide you with measured TED stockings which you bring on the day, as well as 2 Omeprazole tablets to take home; one to take at 10pm the night before and one at 6am the morning of. You fast from midnight but are allowed sips of water up until 6am when you take the final tablet. They want you to arrive at the Anne Stewart ward at 7am (lift D) and can arrive with your husband/partner. Depending on your time of OP (mine is 10am) they go over everything with you both and take you to the labour Ward. Prior to your op midwives and an anaesthetist will see you to go over everything, sign consent forms, give you a gown and cap and your partner scrubs and a cap etc
Following the section, you and your baby will be taken to the recovery area where you will stay for approx 4-6 hours until the anaesthesia wears off and the drs feel you are ready to be stepped down on to the wards. The father can briefly come into recovery to bring your belongings and say goodbye, but then sadly have to leave. There are no longer private side rooms or amenity rooms on offer due to them being used for covid patients. The rooms you’ll be in each have 4 beds, so you’ll be in with 3 other women and their babies, and no partners. For now, partners can visit between 4-7pm, however cannot stay overnight - i’m not sure how long this visiting time will remain in place though so make sure to ask when you have your preop appointment.
There is one option available though if you want your partner to stay (and is what we are trying to do), and that’s to get a private room in the Kensington Wing. On the day of your section while you’re in recovery, your partner just has to go around to the KW and ask if there’s any rooms available, and if so you’ll be transferred there instead of to the room of 4. As the KW rooms are private and isolated, partners are allowed to stay with you the entire length of your admission. If you’re interested the cost per night is £1250. You are allocated your own midwife and they have their own consultant team to manage your postnatal care. It’s stupidly expensive though I know and something we’d never usually consider in normal circumstances.
I hope this helps - I know how stressful this all is but from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen yesterday they are extremely good at maternity care at C&W and you’re in good hands. I’m an ICU nurse myself and know this particular hospital have brilliant surgeons so trust that whoever you get will know what they’re doing ;) Good luck with your final month, and again, I hope this helped answer some of your questions!