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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

C-section pre-op

16 replies

Catsarethebest85 · 15/12/2022 18:59

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with an ELCS without a pre-op appointment? I’m having one on Tuesday at Birmingham Women’s hospital and apparently the pre-op is just a phone call? I’ve read on other threads that lots of women have had to have bloods taken or have had special tablets or drinks to take the night before. I was wondering why I don’t need this and can’t wait until Monday worrying about it so am posting here to see if anyone else has had a similar experience! No point in texting or ringing my midwife as she never answers or replies.

Thank you in advance!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Lucy304 · 15/12/2022 19:11

Hi @Catsarethebest85. I had an ELCS in early 2020 and can't remember having any sort of pre-op, not even on the phone. Just had to arrive at 7am on the day and went from there. Try not to worry and look forward to meeting your baby! Good luck

Ciaonow · 15/12/2022 19:12

I had an elective c section in February and didn’t have any kind of pre-op

LittleMrsPerfect · 15/12/2022 19:17

I had a pre op by phone before my section.
I didn’t need any tablets or drinks before but I was low risk but every pregnancy will be different.

I had a pre op with the MW and a Pre Op with the anaesthetist the day before.

I don’t think bloods are needed as these are done regularly throughout pregnancy when and if needed

Putdownthecake · 15/12/2022 19:17

Perhaps it depends on trust. My baby was born planned c section this week. I had the pre op the week before. It was to go through any questions, meet the anaesthetist, blood (a full count to check how it is afterwards), covid swab and mrsa swab test. I was given tablets, 1 to take night before and one morning of, they were stomach gas settlers. Definitely nothing to worry about.

LittleMrsPerfect · 15/12/2022 19:18

Yes I was given omeprazole actually but it was when I arrived on the ward at 11am for my 4pm section

LeekPeachPlum · 15/12/2022 19:19

My pre op was a video call. My bloods were taken when I arrived at hospital before the operation. Try not to worry and enjoy the last few days of your pregnancy

dampthursday · 15/12/2022 19:27

I had a joint video call with other women all having an ELCS and a midwife, then I had a one to one phone call with a midwife. It was great, they covered everything I wanted to know.

Then I had to go in to have bloods taken and do a self swab for MRSA. They’d left an information pack and the omeprazole tablets with the phlebotomist, so I didn’t see a midwife that day. I would have had a covid test too, but I’d had covid less than 90 days beforehand, so I didn’t need one.

Hugasauras · 15/12/2022 19:31

I had a phone call with anaesthetist about a week before. No pre-op or blood tests. An optional Covid test that I declined.

tealandteal · 15/12/2022 19:39

If it makes you feel better, women going for emergency c sections wouldn’t have any of that pre op drinks/tablets. The hospital will do everything you need. Good luck!

Original poster

Catsarethebest85 · 15/12/2022 19:45

LittleMrsPerfect · 15/12/2022 19:18

Yes I was given omeprazole actually but it was when I arrived on the ward at 11am for my 4pm section

@LittleMrsPerfect What was your experience after such a late section? I’ve been told I will probably be the last one of the day and I’m worried that as visiting hours end at 7.30 that I’ll come out of theatre and my husband will only get an hour or so with our baby before being sent home!

OP posts:

BCxx · 15/12/2022 19:45

At my hospital you just got the tablets on arrival rather than at a pre-op

LittleMrsPerfect · 15/12/2022 20:10

I was last section of the day on a Friday, I was back on the ward at 6pm with baby and DH had to leave when visiting hours finished at 9pm. But this was in covid. Surely partners can stay longer now?

LittleMrsPerfect · 15/12/2022 20:12

The 3hr went so quick and I resented the women that had an earlier section for this reason but it is luck of the draw and someone has to be last.

romdowa · 15/12/2022 20:12

I had my preop 3 days before and had bloods taken to make sure I wasn't aneamic and was given losec to take.

pelargoniums · 15/12/2022 20:16

I just had my pre-op phone call today and had many of your questions! The midwife said their website was waaaay out of date and that:

• Consent form now done on the day
• Tablets now done on arrival instead of night before
• LFT done the morning of before you come in, rather than at an appointment

The only thing they’d missed was the MRSA swab but I had a midwife appointment scheduled next week and can do it then. Otherwise, all the stuff really was doable in a phone call – questions, birth plan, what would happen, etc – and I’d already seen a consultant recently for urine test and blood pressure. So all in all seemed an efficient way of doing it. Just wish they’d update their website because I was having kittens about all these things that were supposed to happen but don’t now. (And the website said I could have my daughter visit but thank goodness I checked as they’re now a no-children-or-visitors ward since Covid.)

Chanel05 · 16/12/2022 10:12

I'm also having my pre op on Tuesday but it's in person. Bloods and meet with consultant I believe.

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