pre op before ELCS.. what happens?

[Rebecca1608]

I'll be 36+3 when I have mine (identical twins). The c-section is booked for the 8th June and my pre op is on the 5th June. So not long to go. First pregnancy and I feel really nervous all of a sudden. Just wondering what to expect really? What will I have to do? The only thing I know is i'll be having steroids on the 4th and 5th and at some point i'll get to "meet the team" so says my midwife. She said there could be up to 15-20 people at the time and not to be alarmed as everyones there for a good reason. Understandable, but that's a LOT of people. Is this right? and I thought I was correct in thinking that my OH was allowed in with me but she said it depends on who carries out the op. I'd really like a familiar face with me in those surroundings and with all those people.

Firstly, congratulations! Twins!

Who you can have with you depends on your anaesthetic - are you having an epidural or spinal?

I had a GA with DS so no one was allowed in (same again this time) and a spinal with DD so my Mum was with me.

I would definitely check on that as usually with an epidural / spinal you can have someone to support you. With a GA, you don't need it, you are asleep (that's what i've told myself!)

With DD there was a lot of people in the room, probably 10 or so, I was a high risk case, not sure if that makes any difference.

If I am honest, the whole experience was lovely, I walked in the operating theatre, met the staff who were all friendly, laid on the bed and they got on with it. They do have to move quickly, so don't let that alarm you, but they will talk you through.

As for pre-op? I didn't have one with my c-sections, but from other operations they usually explain the procedure and sometimes do some blood tests (not sure if this is applicable with a c-section)

Best of luck OP!

Thankyou :) i'm having a spinal? I'd like to be awake incase i can't see my babies straight away if they have to go to the special care unit. I would like my OH or mum to come in with me. Just to take my mind off it a bit. Is it a long op?

Well I had singletons so probably a little quicker - getting them out is literally minutes, stitching up after is longer but you don't really notice as you are too busy staring at the baby!

Pre op they'll take your blood and urine. Give you tablet to take before your op to prevent excess stomach acid. Tell you where to turn up and when, and remind you about No nail varnish or jewellery. If your babies are likely to go to nicu or Scbu then ask to be shown.

A first cs takes about 5 minutes to get the babies out then 30-45 minutes to close up. If you and the babies are well enough you'll be able to ask for skin to skin while being closed. If babies need to go to nicu of Scbu you needto decide if you want your birth partner to stay with you or go with the babies. We chose the latter as I knew I would be well looked after but I wanted to be certain my baby didn't get swapped with someone else's!

Rebecca- I'm having a cs for my non id twins at 36+3 next week. I've got the steroid injections later this week and the pre op assessment. I've been told there will be about 16 people in the theatre as well but they will all have jobs to do but as soon as they are done they leave the room so it empties quite quickly. I've never heard of the partner not being allowed in unless it's under GA. I will definitely be going for the epidural rather than gA.

Ahh ok :) thanks for all replies. I'm glad the theatre will empty quickly joycep thinking about all of those people around me for the whole duration was making me a bit anxious. I thought that was the case i'm definitely going to ask about my OH coming in with me. I think if my babies go to scbu he will definitely go with them. Roll on 8th June. Good luck with your section joycep. X

Honestly the room is so big and they will be busy not crowding you - I'm very claustrophobic and found it fine x

Apparently there were about a dozen people in theatre with me. I had no idea. You can't really see them as the surgeons are the other side of the screen, the anaesthetist as behind you and every one else stands back till they are needed. Was vaguely aware of the anaesthetist and DH, then of the baby(!) once he was out. Apparently I'd been introduced to 2 anaesthetists, 2 surgeons, 2 paediatricians, a midwife, at least 2 theatre assistants, then there was DH too, and some others.

The same as PPs have said, you don't really notice the other people. There's a screen up so I could only really see DH and the 2 aneathetists anyway. Mine was a premature emcs so I think I had quite a crowd. You might have a few more because it's two babies.
I never had a pre op because mine was emergency, so a useful thread for me to see what happens at an elective

Very reassuring thanks :) feel better about it now and keeping everything crossed they will stay put until the 8th June as all day today i've felt different. Woke up feeling really sick (but not actually been sick) had upset tummy and period like pains lower part of my tummy and back. I feel clammy and like there is a lot of pressure down there. Is this normal for 32 weeks? I don't wanna phone anyone for no reason. Midwife etc.