Your Consultant will discuss with the patient rough timelines of when we book a c-section i.e 1-2 weeks before delivery. This will then be discussed with the PA/Office who will contact the Portland to find out what times/dates are available. We always try to accommodate a preferred slot, but this isn’t always possible due to the demand on theatres. Sometimes a c-section is pencilled in quite early in the pregnancy, as early as 16 weeks. C-sections can be changed at any time (given that there is space) and they do often move around as the pregnancy progresses for numerous reasons (medical, social etc.). The office/PA of the consultant/midwife will organise the c-section and anaesthetist and let the patient know when this is scheduled for.

Patients need to be mindful that sometimes c-sections change for reasons out of our control i.e an emergency case is added and it shifts the whole theatre list, staff sickness etc. If a patient has a preferred date for a c-sec, they should discuss first with their consultant/midwife to check this is a safe date of delivery, and then the organising is handed to the office/PA.

A note: most clinics have designated ‘theatre time’ – for example, the clinic for Miss Claire Mellon is on a Friday from 11-3 so we typically aim to book c-sections in this slot as we know we are guaranteed a time and can move things around. Other slots that are offered are typically around other clinics also, so there is less wiggle room and flexibility.