Nil by mouth before elective c-section- does that include water?

[pulapula]

I had my pre-op today, and am due to be in theatre at 2.30pm so i have to have breakfast at 5.30am.

Am I OK to drink water (and if so should i limit this)- i should have asked but didn't think.

No you shouldn't drink water, depends on hospital rules but 3 or 6 hrs pre op.
Are you having an epidural?

Thanks, I'm having a spinal block. I will try and only sip water if absolutely necessary. I have some antacid tablets to take and will be given an anti-sickness drink before surgery too i think (there was so much to remember!)

Nil by mouth, means nil by mouth. If you sip water, they are within their rights to cancel the op, or delay til you have been nil by mouth for long enough.
There are real risks of aspiration pneumonia if you have anything in your stomach and need a general Anaesthetic.
In emergency situations this risk is outweighed by the need for emergency surgery

I meant to say if you are having a Spinal block these rules still apply

Thanks, it just seems like a long time to not have any fluids - 5.30am until maybe 4 or 5pm. But i will try. Thanks for the advice.

You can have tiny tiny sips but it isn't that pleasant. I was nil by mouth from midnight until 6pm when I came out of theatre

Can I recommend that a) you take Scrabble or something to distract you by the fact you can't eat or drink, b) that you forbid people from eating or drinking around you (I had family coming to visit eating bagels and drinking coffee which wound me up no end and c) you have all your favourite foods and drink lined up for noshing afterwards because you will be ravenous afterwards.

Good luck!

Thanks spicemonster - good advice. I have had an elcs before so you'd have thought i could remember- i don't think i drank any water last time when i was nil by mouth from midnight until about 2pm but it just seemed so hot in the hospital today that i had to guzzle water, so i will be getting some trashy mags and listening to my ipod to distract myself, and will send DH off for his lunch.

I am going in for elective on friday and i am not allowed anything from midnight on thursday night, am only allowed a sip of water to take ranitadine - dont know how i will cope i drink about a pint of juice / water during the night every night never mind the next day waiting to go in!!