Pre-operative Assessment

Caesarean Section

If your Caesarean section is planned in advance you will be seen by an anaesthesiologist before your surgery. At the anaesthetic clinic we will ask you questions about previous anaesthetics, medical or pregnancy related conditions, allergies etc. We will discuss your options for anaesthesia, including the risks involved and together we will decide which anaesthetic suits you best.  Currently the anaesthetic clinic offers two forms of pre-operative assessment – “video” and “in – person”. Your obstetrician will decide which one is most suitable for you.

The “video” assessment pathway includes the following steps:

  1. You will receive a phone call by the anaesthetic clinic secretary to arrange date and time for video consultation.

  2. The CWIUH uses Cisco WebEx video platform (endorsed by HSE) for consultations. After the initial phone call, an invite will be emailed to you with link to access the “video” clinic at the appointed time.

  3. Please read the patient information leaflet and follow the instructions

  4. Please watch the two videos below

    Pre-operative Video Assessment and,

    Airway Assessment Video

  5. If you have any questions regarding your video consultation or need to re-schedule it please call 01 408 5418  to speak to the clinic secretary.

Pre-operative “video” assessment pathway explained.

 

The “in – person” assessment pathway includes the following steps:

  1. You will be directed from the obstetric clinic to the anaesthetic clinic. We are trying our best to see all “in – person” patients on the same day of their antenatal appointment. This is called a “walk – in” consultation and will save you another trip to the hospital.

  2. The number of “walk – in” patients waiting to be seen at a particular time is limited by the clinic capacity. In case the number of patients waiting to be assessed in – person exceeds the capacity of the clinic and in order to comply with government rules of social distancing you might be asked to:

-        Wait in your car until we are able to see you

-        Make an appointment for another day and time that suit you

The anaesthetic consultation is important step in planning and preparing for your Caesarean section.  Failure to attend the anaesthetic clinic, either virtually or in – person, might cause unnecessary delays on the day of surgery. As anaesthesiologists and anaesthetic nurses at The Coombe anaesthetic clinic we are here to assist and support you. We believe that by providing the above options, we can make your preparation for Caesarean section as hassle free as possible.