Why might I need to come to theatre?
There are many procedures that need to be done in theatre around the time of having a baby. The most common of these is a caesarean birth. Other procedures include some types of forceps deliveries, removal of placentas which are stuck, repair of perineal tears or if there is bleeding that isn鈥檛 stopping as we would like it to. If you need to come to theatre your maternity team will discuss this will you.
What does theatre look like?
The theatre in 麻豆国产 Labour Ward is in the below photos (the same room taken from opposite corners). Occasionally we use other theatres either on Labour Ward or in Main Theatres.
Can I have somebody with me?
Yes we allow one birth partner to accompany you to theatre. If you have had your baby, your birth partner and baby can also come with you if you wish. They will sit up by your head end and there will be a drape between them and where the procedure is happening. We ask them to remain seated unless otherwise asked to do so.
We encourage birth partners to have eaten and drunk before coming up to theatre to reduce the chance of them feeling faint in theatre (this only happens occasionally).
If you are having a general anaesthetic (where you are put to sleep for the procedure), we do not allow birth partners into theatre.
What kind of anaesthetic will I have?
This will depend on the procedure you are having, how urgent it is and some other things about you as an individual. The anaesthetist looking after you will discuss this with you and answer any questions you may have.
The most common type of anaesthetic used in obstetric theatre is a spinal anaesthetic. Sometimes we use epidurals to make you numb for a procedure and occasionally we need to give a general anaesthetic. There is lots of information regarding anaesthesia and pain relief in maternity on the labour pains website
Who will be in theatre?
There are often quite a few people who will be in theatre with you. These include:
Most of these people will be wearing scrubs in theatre, we will all introduce ourselves by name and role in all but the most emergency situations. Please feel free to ask us our name and role if you would like to.
We all have different things to do and get ready while you are in theatre with us, so it may feel like it is very busy. Again please feel free to ask us what we are doing if you would like to.
Our theatre is open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Our staff therefore work in shift patterns. If you are in theatre at a handover time (generally between 07:30-08:00, 17:45-18:15 and 193:0-20:00) there will be more people in theatre as each staff member hands over to another. This will also involve some talking between staff members as very important information about you and your care is handed over. We endeavour to keep this discussion quiet and to the minimum necessary and ask for your understanding with this.
What will happen when I arrive in theatre?
When you arrive in theatre we will need to check your identity and some details about you and the procedure you are having. This is an international safety checklist we do for everyone.
The anaesthetic team will either insert or check the cannula/drip you will need for us to give you fluids and medications in theatre.
The anaesthetic team will attach you to routine monitoring, usually a blood pressure cuff, an oxygen saturation finger clip and three sticky dots to look at your heartbeat.
Depending on the type of anaesthetic you are having, the anaesthetist will start to administer this anaesthetic. Please ask your anaesthetist any questions you may have.
Once the anaesthetic is working, we all go through another checklist before the procedure starts.
For caesarean births
While the anaesthetic is starting to work, your midwife will put in a catheter if you do not already have one in. This is because we need your bladder to be empty and out of the way.
We have to uncover the lower half of your body to clean your tummy thoroughly with an orange-coloured liquid before we start the surgery to reduce the risk of wound infection. We have to wait for this to dry for two minutes before we cover you up with the drapes. During this time we try to minimise the number of staff at the foot-end of the room but a few staff members will need to be getting equipment ready during this time.
There are lights above you when you are having your operation which allow the surgeons to see really clearly and have to be in particular positions to give the best lighting. These lights have a shiny reflective surface and some patients have reported being able to see reflections of the operation on the lights. If this is something you do not wish to see please avoid looking closely at the reflections on the lights.
Can we listen to music in theatre?
Yes we have a radio and a Bluetooth speaker so you are welcome to prepare a playlist if you wish. We do have to turn the music down when we are going through our safety checklists to make sure everyone can hear what is said.
Can we take photos or videos in theatre?
You are very welcome to take photos of your baby in theatre. We ask you not to take photos with members of staff in them without their express permission. If you would like a member of staff to take photos of you please ask.
We ask you not to take videos or make phone or video calls in theatre. This is a Trust policy and can be very distracting to staff who are concentrating on looking after you and your baby.
What happens when the procedure is finished?
Once your procedure is finished, we go through a final safety checklist. We make sure your skin is clean and any dressings are put on.
We will then move you onto a bed and roll you off any wet or dirty sheets.
We then move you through to the Recovery Room next door to Theatre. You will normally stay here for around 20 minutes, but occasionally longer is needed. During this time you may feed your baby and you midwife will perform some checks on you and your baby, weigh them and offer vitamin K.
If your baby has needed to go to the neonatal unit (NICU), if it is safe to do so, you may be moved onto a trolley rather than a bed so you can visit you baby sooner. Sometimes it is not safe to move you off labour ward straight away, but we will help you to visit your baby as soon as we can.
If you have any questions please ask us, we are happy to explain and discuss things with you. We are always open to any feedback from our patients and their partners.
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Our staff at 麻豆国产 District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
