Can someone help with elective c section info bit confused

[ashleighbean]

So found out today got to have an elective c section on Monday and not quite sure what to expect or how the day will pan out, tried looking online but got confused? All I know is I have to be there at 7.30am. I had a natural labour last time so this is all new to me.

I tried to ask questions today but think theu were rushed off their feet so didnt really get anywhere....any tips as well would be fab

Oh and dont know if this makes a difference but told they work on enhanced recovery plan

I have had two elective c sections - what would you like to know?

Can I ask if you don't mind, why you've got an elective section and how you got it? I want to have one you see...

Following... I'm likely to have a planned CS because of placenta previa

I am happy to answer questions if there are particular things anyone wants to know.

I had a semi elective after a failed induction.

So I was already on the antenatal ward. Light breakfast and nothing after 6am, cannula inserted, changed into hospital gowns, one underneath worn like a coat and one on top like a hair dressers gown.

Sat and waited in the bay I would be brought back to, got taken down with DP, taken into anaesthetic room and chatted to staff, everyone introduced themselves and what they did. Taken into theatre, DP was shown where to sit, introduced to surgical team.
Spinal inserted, put on my back and spinal tested - worked perfectly.
At the point my BP crashed and I felt super faint and thought I was going to pass out, was given drug to raise BP, felt fine again faster about two minutes.
Surgery started, chatted to DP and the staff, after about five minutes the anaesthetist put pressure onto my belly, DP was told to stand up and got to watch DS being born. We'd discussed this with them in advance, DP told me the sex.
Immeadiate skin to skin whilst they stitched me back up. DS then taken to be weighed (he pee'd on the midwife!) and DP had cuddles and then back to me.
Diclofenac put up my bum and a catheter was inserted before the opened me up.
Taken to recovery, was given a drink and a beef sandwich which was slightly surreal. Attempted first breastfeed. After about 30-40 mins I was taken back to the ward, BP checked regularly, helped with a strip wash by student midwife and then taken to antenatal ward.

Was calm, almost painless and empowering.

When I had mine I had to be there for 7:30am. There's normally 3 woman having one on the same day and when you get there they will let you know what number you will be. They gave me a gown, disposable knickers and compression socks that I needed to change into. then when it was my turn they walked me into theatre. I went into a small room offside the theatre where they put my canular in (which was the worst part of the whole experience for me lol because they couldn't find a vein and they tried 4 times in different pop laces before getting it right)
They then took me into theatre and got me to sit on the table while they administed the spinal block and then they swivelled me into position. Then it was just lying there while they did the rest.

I've had both an emergency section and an elective and the elective was so relaxed.

Hope that's helped a little 😊

I'm having my 3rd elcs next month. They work on an enhanced recovery plan too. Did they not give you a leaflet that has all the details in it?
In my leaflet it says, when you go for your pre-op bloods and swabs they will give you some stelisept wash to use on your hair and body three days before your op, some nasal cream to use 3times a day for 3 days, two carbohydrate drinks and some ranitidine for stomach acid. It says to have a heavy carb meal the night before, have a snack at 10pm and take the first ranitidine tablet. Don't eat after 2am. At 6am take the second ranitidine with water. Hospital at 7.30am.
Usually you get gowned up on the ward and walk down to the operating theatre. Take babies clothes down and 2 nappies. They'll send your birth partner off to get changed into scrubs while they put in your epidural. They catherterise after the epidural is working and your partner comes in after that. Op takes roughly an hour. After you go to recovery, they ask you to take a sandwich or something you like to eat into recovery and eat/drink in there while they monitor you. Go back to the ward. Catheter out after 6 hours and then they make you get out of bed and walk at least 3 times around the ward. Home after 24 hours.
My last elcs was 7 years ago, it was a 3 night stay then so this is all new to me as well but would rather be at home quicker!

Usually you would have some sort of pre-op appointment beforehand so that they can take bloods/MRSA swab if needed, tell you about starvation times and give you ranitidine (antacid tablets).
On the day of surgery, you will see the midwife who will accompany you to theatre, the anaesthetist and the obstetrician. You will be given a gown to change in to and anti-DVT stockings. You will need to take a dressing gown and slippers. Your birth partner will also be given theatre clothes to wear, or some sort of coverall.
If you are first on the list, you will probably go to theatre at about 0830-0900. Depending on the hospital, there will be between 2 and 5 elective caesareans a day and sometimes the list has to be interrupted for emergencies so be prepared for a wait.
The anaesthetic will usually be a spinal anaesthetic, more info on this can be found at www.labourpains.com
You can usually take photos in theatre and request things like skin-to-skin, dropping the screen so you can see your baby being born and delayed cord clamping.
Enhanced recovery is all about giving you the best possible care to help you recover quickly and they will be aiming to discharge you the next day. It varies between hospitals but usually involves minimising starvation times, ensuring good pain relief afterwards, getting the catheter out early and mobilising earlier. Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen to use at home afterwards and they may give you some form of morphine-type pain relief to take home.
No personal experience of having a caesarean, I'm an obstetric anaesthetist. Women are often very nervous and surprised by how many people are in the operating theatre but I think most people have a positive experience, at least in theatre anyway, I can't comment on the postnatal wards but getting home quickly to your own bed and support from your partner seems like a good idea!

I've had 2 - firsts for placenta previa and seconded due to choice has high risk of complications and didn't want to labour then have emcs. First time I'd been in hospital for a couple of weeks. I was taken from my ward to theatre. All my pre-op stuff was done in the ward. Second time they do it in the little bay where you wait as a day patient. High leg support tights and all that. Before you go into theatre they do some checks in a side room- basically double checking you are the correct patient and the procedure you're there for, and any details, anterior placenta etc. Then you sit on the side of the bed in theatre and they do your spinal. I found it a bit uncomfortable- not the needle but the way you have the slouch over your bump, hu it was fine. Then they check it's fully effective. You have a suppository inserted which provided pain relief and your catheter- none of which you feel.
You have anethatists and a nurse up top who check all your vitals during surgery. I got something given via canula cause I started
To feel A bit sick.
Baby will be out v quickly and placed on your chest after v quick check. I did skin to skin then gave baby back for checks and then skin to skin while stitched up.
I also did enhanced recovery which is brilliant as it gets you up and moving - you think you can't but you can! Stand tall.
My tips Would be take peppermint oil as soon as you hit recovery. Trapped wind from all the rummaging in your intestines if very painful and presents in strange ways such as shoulder pain. Ask for a
Sidecar crib that clips onto your bed. Once on the ward I sent DH to car for my v pillow. Initially you may need to ask midwife to pass something from your bag so know what's where e.g. Put sets of Outfits in freezer bags , (nappy vest suit cardie) and anything you might want beside you in another carrier bag e.g. Phone charger, snacks, drinks, maternity pads etc.
I am very anxious about anything involving pain (cry at dentist etc) and I managed it by asking what they were doing at each stage. Basically git a running commentary but it helped me.
Good luck !

Some useful info on here
doctoranddaughter.co.uk/caesarean-section-elective-emergency/

Got my pre op on friday afternoon. Bit of a faff where I live as all appointments done at a different hospital then pre op and c section done in a different town as our huge supposed 'super' hospital doesnt have maternity wards so a bit nervous about going somewhere new too

Thanks for all the info, I just like to have an idea in my head as I like to imagine how things will be and be prepared for strange stuff like will we be in a ward before or a private room etc.

For the person who.asked I am having the elective c-section due to having placenta previa so wasnt given a choice.

Can I ask how many weeks you'll be Ashleigh?
Hope all goes well for you which I'm sure it will x

Yeah i will be 38wk 5days. I had a steroid injection today got my 2nd tomorrow as wont quite be 39 weeks but all c sections are full at the hospital till 9th oct so had to bring it to before 39 wks

Only thing worrying me is my 4yr old dd as she only started school a week ago so still settling in but also she has her school photograph next Tuesday so got to let husband do her hair he doesnt know how to even attempt a ponytail so how on earth her hair will look lol my dd said to me tonight could I ask the teacher to do her hair for her as she doesnt trust Daddy lol

Aww bless her... I've got a 4yo DD that's just started school too & DH wouldn't have a clue!

There's talk of me being admitted at 36 weeks just in case as I live a long way from hospital so I'm worried about leaving her

I told her when I picked her up today and when we got home she suddendly became stuck to my hip so a bit worried about her. This enhanced recovery might play in her favour if I can at least be home by Tues night even if just to read her a bedtime story. Her school have been quite good when I told them I was expecting in that the teachers have spent a bit of time speaking to her about it.

I hope you dont have to go in at 36 wk as hospitals just are not fun on your own and I am.sure get people more worked up than being at home. I had togo in 5 nights before having dd for what turned out to ve 3 failed inductions and my bp just shot up because I couldnt sleep and got myself all worked up

I went in for 7.30 and after a wee wait was taken to my bed and given a gown. I saw a few doctors. I was meant to be taken quite early, but there were emergencies so I was delayed until about 1300. Luckily they knew This might be the case and a lovely consultant anaesthetist brought me a glass of water though I should have been nil by mouth as she knew I'd be feeling really thirsty.

I was taken up and waited whilst DH got dressed. They had difficulty with my cannula and spinal. It didn't hurt as they gave local anaesthetic, but was uncomfortable and the worst part as I felt a bit nervous by then.

You cannot feel a thing. My mouth got really dry and I felt really hot. They brought me ice to suck on and a cool compress which was so nice. The anaesthetist kept changing the compress and would touch my face very reassuringly from time to time. They were so so nice.

The who,e thing was measured and calm, the staff took a real interest. As it was DD2 I was home in a bit over 24 hours (took ages to get discharge papers and drugs sorted do be prepared- 24 hours means one night not necessarily 24 hours if you see what I mean). I felt great afterwards, much better than a failed induction and emcs for DD1.

Good luck!