Obstetric Theatre Q&A

Yes you can opt to have a coil fitted during a csection but this must be discussed in advance with your obstetrician. We are looking to offer this routinely in the future but for now it is arranged when specifically requested.

Your pre-op appointment is usually arranged when you are given the date for your csection so you should receive an appointment letter following this. We try to see most women in the week prior to their caesarean. If you have not received a pre-op appointment yet please contact antenatal appointments.

Your pre-op appointment is usually arranged when you are given the date for your csection so you should receive an appointment letter following this. We try to see most women in the week prior to their caesarean. If you have not received a pre-op appointment yet please contact antenatal appointments.

We try to see most women in the week prior to their caesarean. If you have not received a pre-op appointment yet please contact antenatal appointments and the situation will be escalated.

Unfortunately we do not have any private rooms that are available to book in advance. You can request a side room when you attend but there is no guarantee that we will be able to provide this as we have a limited number.

If you are having twins and opt to have a caesarean section, this will usually be planned between 37 and 38 weeks gestation if the babies have separate placentas and between 36 and 37 weeks gestation if the babies share a placenta. This will be discussed with you by the Multiple Pregnancy Clinic team.

A repeat csection may take longer and can be more difficult than the first csection. This however is dependent on many factors and many repeat csections are straightforward. The risks however will be explained to you by your surgeon. Recovery time following the repeat csection again can take longer but depends on many patient specific factors. We have an enhanced recovery pathway to support mothers following csections. Any concerns please speak to your surgeon or midwife.

Where possible the original scar will be used for a repeat csection. If this is not possible your surgeon will discuss this with you on the day. 

Our aim is to deliver the best experience possible for mother’s, babies and their families. Delivering safe services for our patients is our primary goal. Theatres have designated teams for both elective and emergency cases. Acute admissions can impact the smooth running of planned csections and where there are higher levels of emergencies, priority will be to deliver safe care to mothers and babies who need it the most. We very rarely cancel elective csections.

Birthing partners can stay for the duration of csections if a spinal anaesthetic is the mother’s anaesthetic of choice. Birthing partners will be dressed in a theatre gown and hat and supported throughout. 

Scar tissue from previous caesarean sections does not usually affect a pregnancy. It can make a caesarean section more difficult for the surgeon but the degree of scar tissue cannot be predicted and there is nothing that you can do to reduce internal scarring. If you have any concerns or worries please speak to your obstetrician or midwife.

This is decided on a case by case basis, every woman is different and every pregnancy is different. There are however increased risks associated with repeat csections. This can be discussed with your midwife or obstetrician. 

Wherever possible we aim to book csections in advance, however during busy periods elective csections dates may be given at shorter notice than usual. Please speak to you midwife for advice on when your date will be given. 

If a csection is still the preferred choice, depending on the progress of your labour a csection can still happen. The obstetrician who will see you will discuss this with you and there is the possibility of delivering via an emergency csection. 

There are alternative types of anaesthetic offered, this can be discussed with your anaesthetists. Please visit https://www.labourpains.com/ for further information.

If you are having an elective csection a spinal anaesthetic is the most common anaesthetic used. Any worries or concerns can be discussed with the anaesthetic team on the day of your operation. You will be involved in the decision making process and will be supported throughout.

Birthing partners will stay with you in theatre if you opt for a spinal anaesthetic. Your birthing partner will continue to stay with you in recovery after your csection but will unfortunately have to leave when you are transferred to maternity base/ward. Due to current COVID restrictions at this time only your birthing partner can come and visit you on the ward at booked times. Please see our website or our social media pages for any updates on this. Please visit the website for further information on visiting restrictions here https://www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/covid19/

Discharge home depends on many patient specific factors but we have an enhanced recovery pathway that aims to have mothers fit for discharge from hospital 24hours following csection. If your baby is required to stay in hospital longer for specific reasons this may also impact the length of time you stay in hospital.

Yes you can, positive patient experience is at the forefront of our trust values. You can have the radio on with a channel of your choice or you can have your own music playing. We only ask that music is turned off during our designated safety checklist times.

Yes you can opt for sterilisation at the time of your caesarean section but this must be discussed in advance with your obstetrician. We cannot do this if you request it on the day of your caesarean section. Both baby and partner can continue to stay with you in theatre if you are having a sterilisation if a spinal anaesthetic is the choice of anaesthesia.