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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

ELCS timings

13 replies

summerlovingvibes · 10/10/2022 15:15

From people's previous experience, please let me know what your C/S timings have been.

Obviously I'm aware if there are emergencies etc then things will change, that's no problem. But just incase everything runs smoothly ...

I have an ELCS later this week. I have a toddler at home. Hospital have asked me to come in for 7:15 but said DH can't stay at that time and they'll let me know when to call him to come in. I'm presuming because of waiting room space ...?

So I've arranged to get a lift in with my mum, so DH can get toddler up & ready for the childminders, to drop her at 8am, and then he would be able to be at hospital for 8:30am.

I personally don't think it would be likely that I'd go in for 7:15 and the theatre team would whisk me in immediately? Guessing shifts start around 7:30, and with hand over and prep etc I'm thinking 8:30 onwards would be fine for DH.

Am I completely off?

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 10/10/2022 15:15

And another question with ELCS. Start to finish of being walked down to theatre, when were you then in recovery?

OP posts:
MummyJ36 · 10/10/2022 16:30

So we arrived at 7am. There were 3 ELCS that day and we were put in order of urgency. We were put 3rd which we were expecting as the poor lady who was first had a lot of issues going on and our baby was just very big so no emergency factors per se! The lady who was second arrived late and caused a huge amount of commotion as she’d expected to be first! They said that wasn’t possible as she’d arrived late which she couldn’t seem to understand. We went into surgery just before 11am so even though we were last the wait was very reasonable. There weren’t any emergency sections whilst we were there though otherwise the wait would have been longer.

This was my first section and from the time arrived in theatre to being wheeled to
recovery was approx 45 mins.

barneymcgroo · 10/10/2022 16:32

Was in for 10, down to theatre at 2:30 as EMCS take priority, obviously. There is always prep, so doubtful would be straight down there.

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 10/10/2022 17:58

MummyJ36 · 10/10/2022 16:30

So we arrived at 7am. There were 3 ELCS that day and we were put in order of urgency. We were put 3rd which we were expecting as the poor lady who was first had a lot of issues going on and our baby was just very big so no emergency factors per se! The lady who was second arrived late and caused a huge amount of commotion as she’d expected to be first! They said that wasn’t possible as she’d arrived late which she couldn’t seem to understand. We went into surgery just before 11am so even though we were last the wait was very reasonable. There weren’t any emergency sections whilst we were there though otherwise the wait would have been longer.

This was my first section and from the time arrived in theatre to being wheeled to
recovery was approx 45 mins.

Thanks that's really useful. I've been told there will be 2 or 3 ELCS on the day. So it sounds like they go through them pretty swiftly - if you only had 4 hours wait and were third. So maybe I could ask at pre op to be second or third...? No risk factors really, having ELCS due to previous birth issues but this pregnancy has been fine.

OP posts:
Mymoneydontjigglejiggle · 10/10/2022 18:06

So both times we were asked to go in at 7am. First time, they were very busy - they don't tell you how long the queue is at my hospital but apparently there were "lots" of people to be done that day - and still we went down at 11.15am. Second time, we were first down and taken at 8.15am. Time to recovery - hm, I'm not sure to be honest, it's pretty quick. We left the ward, walked down to recovery where we could leave our bag, walked to theatre, they did all the prep and numbing etc. Once that's all sorted the baby is out pretty quickly! Then they stitch you up. I honestly didn't time it but both times I thought how quick it was although that doesn't really help you Grin

satelliteheart · 10/10/2022 18:29

Our hospital do 2 elcs per day, one at 9am and one at 11am obviously depending on any emcs. Arrival at hospital is 8am for everyone. Position in queue is normally based on clinical need and is decided on the day, you could request a position at pre op but they can't guarantee it at all. With my last we were supposed to be the 11am slot but there were a few emergencies, one as I was walking to theatre so got turned back. We didn't end up going in until about 1:30, ds born at 1:52 and then probably another 30 minutes for placenta and to get everything stitched up

Phillipa12 · 10/10/2022 18:36

I've had 3 elcs. Was in at 7am, taken down at 8.15am and all babies delivered by 9.30am. Was back up in room by 11am. In the hospital I used they did elcs in the general surgery theatre's and the emcs were carried out in 2 theatre's on the maternity ward.

Mylittlesandwich · 10/10/2022 18:42

I was brought in at 7am and was taken first. There was however a delay as a poor woman who should have had an ELCS ended up with an instrumental delivery in theatre so I wasn't taken until about 9:45ish? Can't really remember but DS was born at 10:02. I don't fully know why I was taken first but I was.

swimmingincustard · 10/10/2022 18:51

I was first on the list, there at 7.30am and went to theatre at 9am, baby out just after 10am.

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 10/10/2022 19:03

Ok crikey. By the sounds of it my DH is going to have to be very prompt at getting DD to the child minders and then over to me. Will make sure we (i.e. he!) is very organised the night before :)

OP posts:
Amicompletelyinsane · 10/10/2022 19:07

I had one child born at 10.34, one at12. 38 and one at 16.43. Although the last one a prem so lined up neonatal team too. Think I was second or third in the day for the others. The first person didn't go until gone 9

wonkylegs · 10/10/2022 19:25

I was first on the list for my planned section but I was already in the hospital as I'd been brought in for treatment as baby was coming out early. I was supposed to go in at 8.30 but waters broke as I was getting ready so they had to wait for that to stabilise a bit and monitor what was happening but I was then in theatre for 9.15.
They didn't put anyone else in front of me even though I was now running late because they were worried it might turn out to be urgent. It wasn't and all went smoothly after that.

HappyAsASandboy · 10/10/2022 19:59

I arrived at 7am for all three of my c sections.

One I was the priority case and so went first. Things started moving at about 9am (gowns, talking to surgeon etc) and baby born at 10.30.

Second one I was second. Baby born at noon.

Third one there was an emergency as well as one person before me (so I was third). Baby born at 1pm.

I think your DH will be fine to drop DD at nursery and then wait for the call to come Smile

Good luck!

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