C Section Pre Op – What to Expect

Today I had my c section pre op appointment in advance of my planned C section next week – my baby is breech and therefore I have been advised that a vaginal birth may not be possible. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the c section pre op appointment, and being a little anxious about the procedure itself, I wasn’t sure if the pre op appointment would help or hinder my nerves!

For those who may be approaching their c section date, and wondering what to expect at their C section Pre Op appointment – I thought I would share my experience! I actually felt a lot better after I’d spent some time at this appointment, being able to learn a lot more about the elective c section experience and receive some reassurance on some of my c section fears!

My C Section Pre Op Experience

I attended the maternity assessment ward for my C section pre op at 1.30 this afternoon and was met by a midwife who firstly took my blood pressure and weighed me (eek – the latter was not a pretty sight – I have put on almost 3 stone in this pregnancy, which is a LOT more than with my first). We then went into assessment room where there was a fair bit of paperwork to complete.

My case is a little more complicated than most perhaps in that I an emetophobic (I have a sick phobia), and as a result am completely HOPELESS at taking tablets other than in capsule or soluble format. It is a psychological issue (not physical), so I gag as soon as I get a chalky tablet anywhere near my mouth let alone in it.

The Night Before Your C Section

Overthinking, I have struggled to take tablets when I know I HAVE to – not even the pill – as tiny as they are! As part of the c section pre op, the midwife started to discuss with me details of the tablets I would need to take both the night before (at 10pm) and the morning of (7am) the procedure. It is a tablet called Ranitidine and is to stop stomach acid coming up during the procedure. I was hoping she would have been asked about soluble or capsule versions before, but turns out this was less common than I’d thought. Thankfully after a few phone calls to pharmacy and the antitheist, I was prescribed a liquid format which I could take instead – so picture me with a toddler syringe taking my pre meds! – what a pathetic mess I am! 🙂 I am sure it will taste horrific, but that’s my own fault – I need to man up!

There is another form where you can opt to “self prescribe” following the procedure- effectively meaning that you can administer your own paracetamol and ibuprofen following the operation. I asked her if I could bring along my own soluble versions – as they even do ones that simply dissolve on the tongue. She advised me that this shouldn’t be a problem, and filled in the form accordingly.

I talked through with her my sick phobia, and she advised me that if I do feel sick they can give me an intravenous solution that would stop that – that I just needed to keep them informed on the day.

C Section Pre Op Appointment Medical History

The next part of the c section pre op assessment was to talk through any allergies and illnesses I may have, and details of any previous anaesthetics I may have had.  I have had two general anaesthetics before with no problems. She talked me through the spinal procedure and told me what would happen on the day. At my hospital there are 5 sections taking place on the day, and we don’t therefore know what time we will have the procedure. We will arrive at the hospital at 7.30 and meet with midwifes, anaesthetists and the team in order to understand what order will be seen. Essentially this could therefore be anytime between 9 and 5 – so could be quite a wait. I am prepared to not be first, as I imagine I am relatively low risk compared to some potential electives (breech is less concern than diabetic mothers for example), but I guess we will see! If I think I’m 5th then at least I will be pleasantly surprised if I go in any earlier!

Obviously as part of the c section pre op, the midwife does have to talk me through the risks involved in the c section procedure, of which, with any major surgery there are obviously quite a few. That said, she was able to tell you the risk factors of each, and having had surgery before, they were no worse or no better than I’ve heard previously. As I put it – we need to get the baby out one way or another so some risks are expected either way! 🙂 She advised that the spinal would make me unable to feel from under breast downwards, but that I should be aware that I will feel some tugging and movements – it is important that I know this as she said some people ‘freak out’ when they can feel motion, when in fact it is completely normal. A little like someone “washing up inside your tummy”.

Pre Op Assessment Final Tests

I had already had an MRSA swab completed at the hospital, but if you haven’t already had one, it is likely that you may have one done at the pre op. They gave me a tube with two cotton buds in and some solution at the bottom. I was asked to wipe one around the inside of each nostril, before stirring it into the solution. The 2nd cotton bud was wiped inside either side  of the groin and then added into the pot before sealing the lid. Mine had come back clear which was obviously a good sign.

I then had to sign a consent form to advise that I was happy to go ahead with the procedure, and confirm that if needed, I would be happy to receive a blood transfusion.

Finally, to conclude my c section pre op I was sent for two blood tests – apparently one is to make sure they have the right blood there on the day in case of any transfusion, and the other is for a full blood count.

And that’s it, I found the whole c section pre op process fairly calm and straight forward, even with my added ‘complications’, and now feel that at least I now know what to expect with a planned c section.

Despite it not being the birth plan that I would have chosen, I am now getting my head around what is coming, and am quite excited to meet my baby. Obviously I am still nervous, and I am sure I will be a wobbly jittering mess on the morning, but it’s got to be done. That is unless she turns (wo betide her!) – they will scan me on the morning, and if she is engaged, they will send me home!! All we can do is wait and see! 🙂

For anyone waiting for their section to arrive-  here are Real Mum Reviews tips (written in collaboration with lots of fellow Mum  Bloggers!) for before, during and after! 🙂 https://realmumreview.comelective-caesarean-tips/

Lucy xxx