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What happens at the preoperative assessment appointment?
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic this appointment is currently being carried out over the phone for most women. You will receive two phone calls, one from a midwife and one from an anaesthetists.
The midwife will call you the week before your planned caesarean section to discuss your pregnancy history and will provide you with all the details of where to attend, at what time and what to expect on day of surgery. If you have any specific requests as part of your birth plan this can be discussed with the team at your appointment.
An anaesthetist will also call you to discuss what will happen at your caesarean sections. Most caesarean sections are performed using a spinal anaesthetic as this means you will be awake to meet your baby and be able to have a birth partner with you in theatre.
What is the enhanced recovery programme?
In Grampian we are part of a Scottish wide group implementing a programme called Enhanced Recovery for Obstetric Surgery in Scotland (EROSS). The aim of the EROSS Programme is to get you back to ‘you’ as quickly as possible after your caesarean section, and we encourage you to play an active part. Research has shown that knowing what to expect improves recovery and your overall experience. Research has also shown that after surgery, the sooner you move about and the earlier you are eating and drinking, the speedier your recovery will be. You are also less likely to develop complications.
There are four elements to the Enhanced Recovery approach:
- Planning and preparation before coming to hospital
- Reducing the physical stress of the operation
- A standardised bundle of care after your caesarean section
- Moving about as soon as possible
What can I eat and drink before my surgery?
Eating: You need to avoid eating for a certain period of time before you have your caesarean section. This is to prevent you feeling sick during the surgery and minimise complications. The midwife will advise you of the times for you at your pre-assessment appointment.
Drinking: If you are having a spinal anaesthetic you are encouraged to drink clear fluids, in normal volumes, up to the time you have your caesarean section. Examples of clear fluids are water, diluting juice, tea or coffee (small amount of milk is acceptable). You should avoid fizzy or very milky drinks.
When do I have my pre-operation medication?
You will be given your pre-operation medication by the staff when you arrive on the day of surgery. If you are on any other medications you will be advised by the anaesthetist on whether these need to be continued or not taken on the day of your caesarean section.
What should I expect on the day?
You will be given a time and place to attend on the day of your caesarean section by the staff at the pre assessment appointment.
On arrival you will be met by a midwife who will perform some checks on you and listen to your baby’s heartbeat. You will also be seen by an obstetrician and an anaesthetists who will be able to answer any last minute questions you may have. You will be given a theatre gown to wear and your birth partner who will be accompanying your into theatre will be given theatre clothes to wear.
Please watch the video below which will talk through some of the key things to expect when you are coming in for a planned caesarean section. Please note, due to the current changes required as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you may find some small differences in the preparation prior to your caesarean section than outlined in this video. The staff who call you to do your pre-assessment will advise you regarding these and will answer any questions you have.
You can access this video translated into different languages by clicking here.
Recovery after caesarean section
For more information on your recovery after a caesarean section please click the link below.
The pictures on this page have been kindly shared by families who have given birth in theatre here in Grampian.