Once your Anaesthetic ODP escort you to theatre, there will be 8 to 10 personnel in the room when you go in, including the ODP, the surgeon, an assistant, one or two anaesthetists, scrub practitioners, a circulating practitioner, and one or two midwives. You and your birth partner will also be there. Everybody in the theatre plays a crucial part in keeping you safe while you're there.
They will first check the details on your wristband and cross check them with your notes, your theatre documentation and consent. They will ask if you understand the procedure you have consented to. The ODP assists the Anaesthetist and they will stay with you throughout your anaesthetic and surgical procedure. At the end of your procedure they will then transfer you to the Recovery area with the Anaesthetist.
You will be asked to sit on the operating table and remove your shoes and dressing gown .
An electrocardiogram (ECG) sticker on your chest, a blood pressure (BP) cuff on your upper arm, and a pulse oximeter peg on your finger are among the monitoring devices that the ODP will attach to you. The monitoring is pulled through the machine and it records the findings of these observations so that they have a baseline before the anaesthetist administer an anaesthetic.
In order to give you fluids and medication, the anaesthetist will first place a cannula into your vein. A tiny, flexible plastic tube called a cannula also known as a venflon is placed into a vein. When you are unable to consume medication and fluids or when the medication and fluids must be administered directly into your bloodstream, this is inserted. The cannula has a tiny coloured cover on it. To help against infection, it is crucial that the cap remains closed. Because it breaks the skin, this is entered clean. Otherwise, there can be an infection risk. The anaesthetist will wash their hands, put on an apron and gloves, and be careful not to touch the important areas of the cannula during the process to prevent infection.
The majority of caesarean sections and other obstetric procedures are carried out under spinal or epidural anaesthesia while you are conscious. They are referred to as regional anaesthetics. You are fully aware throughout the surgery and don't experience any discomfort because they numb the lower portion of your body. As a result, you can see and hug your newborn as soon as they are born, and your birth partner can join you in the theatre to share the moment.
General anaesthesia are used in emergencies where you’re asleep and won’t feel pain, but you may feel some pressure.
Spinal or Epidural
Most surgeries below the waist can be performed with a spinal anaesthetic. An anaesthetist performs a spinal anaesthesia. A local anaesthetic is administered into the fluid around the spinal cord using a very tiny needle that is put into the middle of the lower back. The nerves supplying the legs, hips, bottom, and stomach are made numb by the local anaesthetic. You won't experience any pain after an operation or be able to move your legs until the nerves are totally numb, but you will still be able to move and feel touch. It is also possible to inject additional drugs that offer excellent pain relief for a few hours following the procedure.
During epidural anaesthesia, a hollow needle and a tiny, flexible catheter are inserted into the middle or lower back's "epidural space," which is the area between the spinal column and the spinal cord's outer membrane. Using a local anaesthetic, the area where the needle will be put is made numb. The catheter is then passed through it, and the needle is inserted and taken out. The catheter stays in place while anaesthetic medication is administered to numb the body above and below the injection site as necessary. In order to reuse the catheter in the event that further medication is required, it is fastened on the back.
You must be in the proper position for the anaesthetist to do a spinal or epidural. You will be asked to:
- Sit on the operating table with your knees' backs barely brushing the table's side. Your gown will need to be open at the back (they will maintain your dignity).
• Place both feet flat on the stool or chair in front of you.
• Sit up straight. - Place your chin on your chest and relax your shoulders.
The anaesthetist will be behind you, so arch the small of your back in their direction.
This position helps to open up the spaces between the bones in your back, which is where the anaesthetist needs to put the spinal anaesthetic.
They may put a pillow on your knee and tuck it under your arms to get you in an ideal position, this also provides some comfort whilst sitting for the procedure.
Following this, you will be instructed to lie down in bed, and the anaesthetist will ask you to attempt lifting your legs or ask about how your legs feel in order to assess the amount of your regional block. Additionally, they could test your level by applying a cold spray known as ethyl chloride to your legs, abdomen, and chest and asking you to feel what you feel. They can ask you to differentiate between wet and chilly feelings from the spray at various body levels.
The anaesthetist won't allow the procedure to start unless they are confident the anaesthetic has taken effect.
Urinary Catheter
The anaesthetist will permit your accompanying midwife to place a urinary catheter into your bladder after they are satisfied with the level of spinal block. This is used to empty your bladder to prevent harm during surgery and because spinal anaesthesia makes it difficult for you to recognise when you need to empty your bladder. Usually, this will only be in place until later that day or overnight, or until your legs start to feel normal again.
Before the surgery begins, the midwife may also use a sonicaid to listen in on your baby.
Calf Garment
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices are used to help prevent blood clot in the deep veins of the leg during the surgery . The device use cuffs around the legs that fill with air and squeeze you legs. This increases blood flow of your leg through the veins and helps stop blood clotting.
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