Once in Recovery the Recovery Practitioner will first of all make sure all of your monitoring is on and working well. That, if required you have an oxygen mask on, and its attached to the oxygen outlet on the wall, and on to the correct level. They will ensure your fluids are running and any medication being administered is correct. They will close the curtain around your bed space to allow them to check your abdominal wound dressing, as well as your maternity pad, catheter and vaginal blood loss. They will also ensure that your compression garments are attached and working whilst you're in Recovery. The Recovery Practitioner will slowly bring you up to a sitting position, due to the anaesthetic and the length of time spent on your back for the surgery, rushing you into a sitting position can cause hypotension (low blood pressure), nausea & vomiting. They will then get a full handover from the Anaesthetist so that they know what procedure you have had, the medication you have been given in Theatre, and any post-operative instructions to help with your recovery. They will also receive a handover from the Scrub Practitioner regarding your procedure including blood loss, wound dressing and catheter care.

 

whilst in recovery the checks you'll be expecting:

• Blood pressure
• Oxygen Saturation
• ECG
• Fluid balance-you may have a catheter and IV fluids
• Respiratory rate
• Temperature
• Your wound site/ Vaginal blood loss Pain score
• Arterial and CVP lines if you have them.
• Capnography if you've had a GA (general anaesthetic)            

 

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pain is common after surgery. However, if it is left untreated It may delay your recovery. Being able to cough and move is important to help you get better after surgery. Each person's level of pain is different and everyone needs a different amount of pain relief. Analgesia is the medical term for pain relief medication. It can be given in liquid or tablet form, or by injection. If you have undergone a general anaesthetic (GA) without a regional anaesthesia your doctor may prescribe a PCA for you to use in the first few days after your operation. It lets you control your own pain relief without having to ask the nurses. It is delivered directly into your blood stream via your cannula.

Ultimately, the Recovery Practitioner is there to look after you following your surgery and the midwife is responsible for your baby. The midwife will also need to do her post-operative checks on you, these include wound dressing, vaginal blood loss and uterus tone & size.

If you wish to start breast feeding your baby whilst in Recovery your midwife can help you with this, they will help you correctly position baby to assist them with latching on. Although it is important to monitor your blood pressure during this time, if the BP cuff is hindering you breast feeding it can be moved onto your leg or opposite arm.

 

How long will be in recovery room ?

The length of stay in recovery depends many different things.

1. Length of surgery
2. If you are going back to the ward or HDU (High Dependency Unit Room)
3. How well you feel post-op

When you are ready to go back to the ward the Recovery Practitioner will hand your care back over to your midwife before you are discharged back to your post-operative ward.

You may be able to tolerate sips of water in recovery, if you aren't feeling nauseous you maybe offered a biscuit to start with. When you get back to the ward you will have your observations monitored for a few hours. The ward staff will assess whether you are able to fully eat and drink. Most patients feel fully awake and well when they are transferred to the ward, especially if you have had a regional anaesthetic, so if you aren't feeling nauseous then you should be able to eat.