C section during Covid and no visitors

[July2020baby]

Hi,

I have my c section scheduled in for Thursday.

I didn’t think I would be because I’m usually a laid back person but I’m so anxious.

Just wondered if anyone’s got any experiences with having a c section during Covid.

I have to be at the hospital at 7:30 and then my partner waits in the car till I’m prepped for theatre, he then can only stay for an hour while I’m recovery.

It’s my second, my first was emergency section which went well but I had plenty of people around me in the hospital after.

Thanks

@July2020baby
Firstly congratulations and good luck for Thursday.
As far as I’m aware you are allowed 2 birth partners (partner and 1 other person but this will be for natural so irrelevant here) but are allowed 1 person to be with you in theatre for c section. I think the only reason a partner isn’t allowed in theatre for section is if you are given a general anaesthetic. Visitors are also allowed now too. I’m in Scotland but as far as I’m aware England (if that’s where you are) lessened their lockdown rules before us x

@Fingerscrossed11 no, not where I am :( only allowed in theatre and recovery room for an hour!

I had my DD 9 weeks ago by sort of planned c section.

I got to the ward for 7, had all my checks done the surgeon and anaesthetist came to see me and answer my questions. Healthcare assistant and midwife came to tell me to call my husband. He apparently was taken to a side room to change. I walked with the HCA and picked him up on way to theatre. He stayed throughout surgery and in recovery. In total maybe 2.5/3 hours. He left us as we returned to the post natal ward.

This is my first baby so I have no comparison. But the care we received on the ward was exceptional. Because we couldn't have visitors the staff where they could tried to chat to us and help us. I found it a lovely atmosphere I had no issues basically being topless while trying to get to grips with breastfeeding.

My only negative is that I probably should've stayed in another night but forced myself to go home the day after so only was in 1 night.

The hospital I have birth in is now allowing visitors to pre book visiting slots so may be worth checking. Honestly it was fine my anxiety was sky high (partly down to first baby/first time in surgery/stressful circumstances) but it really was a lovely experience and the staff were incredible.

Any questions ask away. Good luck x

Hey OP, I'm due to have a section in early September and we're prepping for the same situation as you too.

You'll find that each trust/individual hospital has their own procedures so each person who replies to you might have a different plan. The hospital I'm giving birth in lets parters come in straight away, wait, come to theatre then stay in recovery. However, the hospital 10 miles up the road is now allowing partners to go to the postnatal wards with mum and baby.

Once you're in theatre I don't think you'll notice much difference to your last section; they were always going to be in masks and gowns and theatres are busy places.

After your op you'll go to recovery while your spinal wears off. I had my last baby on me for skin to skin the whole time (3 hours!) I was in there.

Back on the ward you'll need to ring your buzzer for help whenever you need it. It's something I'm always reluctant to do but with no one else to help you don't have a choice, particularly as you'll still have your catheter in.

Lots of very organised posters on here recommend putting baby's outfit into a ziplock bag so it's easy to grab everything at once from your bag.

Good luck, I hope it all goes really well x

@July2020baby
That’s the situation here now, that’s Glasgow NHS.
I’ve heard different trusts have different rules however you would think they would all follow similar guidelines.
New effects only came into play here recently

Hi, @July2020baby, I had one recently and my hospital had the same 1 hour rule. They let him stay three hours and I think they were doing the same for everyone. The nurses were very supportive the night when I was on my own, one even took my baby away for a couple of hours so I could sleep!

So in summation, not ideal but it was fine and staff were really nice and supportive

DH was allowed into theatre and recovery, we were definitely not in recovery for an hour though ☹️ And the support on postnatal wasn’t great, but I’m a bit reluctant to press the buzzer...

I was glad to get home the next day!

In the UK it varies hospital to hospital. In all honesty I wish we had a government policy like Scotland. I’ve found the best up to date info on my hospital on ‘derbyshire maternity voices’ so your local maternity voices might be worth looking at.

im due a section in 10 days but im in Scotland so DH will be present at birthing in recovery after and then is allowed to visit each day for 30 minutes. My 2 friends, also in Scotland, had a CS mid Covid and both husband got to stay with them for 4.5hrs plus after the baby was born (they were both told initially it was 1 hour) so although they are officially saying that partners are only to be there for 1 hour after the birth, in my experience (in Scotland) it has been much longer than the stated 1 hour. Hopefully your hospital will allow visitors soon!
my local maternity unit has a facebook page which they are updating regularly with the new guidelines, could you search and see if your maternity/trust has similar?

@July2020baby how did it all go for you? I’m booked in for c section in a few weeks and I feel exactly the same. I was on lady Sara antenatal ward in April for four days just after lockdown and I hated having no visitors and tbh little to no help from staff. As far as I can make out they have extended the time a tiny bit and now allow a visitor for a two hour time slot. I’m most nervous about having to attend to baby alone whilst being of reduced mobility.