What happens when you go in for an elective section?

[EsmeWeatherwax]

I'm having an elective cs on Friday. I've been told to report to the labour ward at 8am, but what happens after? Do you go into a labour room? Or is there a waiting room? i know sometimes there can be a long wait involved due to emergencies etc, but was just wondering what happens during that wait!

I suspect this is my brain on displacement activity mind you, as I'm starting to get really nervous about the whole thing!

What hospital? At Queen Charlotte you go into a waiting room until you are called. It was a bit boring, but not too bad. The worst I remember is that I starving. But, hey ho, tha's the way it goes.

You arrive, they tell you where you are in the queue (ie what time they anticipate moving you to the delivery suite) and normally they will listen in to the heartbeat of the baby and take your blood pressure. They then ask you whether you've eaten anything, normally take you down to delivery ward if they have an operating theatre there. You talk to the anaesthesiologist and the midwife and they ask you to gown up. You sit there, bored rigid (I took a book), they put the drugs in, you sit there another twenty minutes, you go in.

Have baby, go to recovery room for two to three hours, then go to postnatal ward.

It was quite boring actually. The first one was more exciting but that was an emergency.

I was shown to a room which was mine while I was in hospital (would have been shunted to ward the next day if it had been busier). Sat around, had a last minute scan (it was a breech delivery - they were just checking!), midwife answered any questions, sat around some more then all of a sudden it was all systems go, wheeled me down to theatre and set about me with knives

It wasn't that bad - and I am a huge chicken. You'll be nervous - of course - but try to distract yourself. It's the last peace you'll get for 18 years

Hi I had an elective cesaerean two years ago and was just as nervous as you! There was a lot of waiting around, which didn't help, so take something to entertain yourself! My husband and I waited on the maternity ward in the bay that I was to be transferred to after the birth. A couple of people checked on us and explained what would happen. A little tip - make sure you don't wear make up, nail polish or contact lenses as they'll check! The hardest part is the anticipation. Once they come and take you to theatre time passes so quickly. The worst part for me was the epidural etc as my husband wasn't allowed in the room for that part. Once that was over, they put my favourite CD on (take one with you if they allow it) and got down to business. If your experience is anything like mine it'll be amazing. I'm terrified of all things surgical but I survived and can actually say I enjoyed it. I was able to hold my daughter immediately and was breastfeeding within 30 mins. Good luck!

Yes, my first one was an emergency too, so wasn't really quite aware of what was going on, possibly a little too much excitement!

I will be taking a book, have got one on order from Amazon specially!

Athene, I'm going to the RAH in lovely Paisley.

Thanks for the reassuring words everyone, guess its just a case of waiting until Friday now!

Oh just noticed today was the day!! Congratulations on the birth of your baby x