23/05/2025
At a c-section birth a coordinated team of healthcare professionals are typically present. On the day it can be overwhelming and tricky to remember who is who and which roles they play in your care. I hope you find this guide useful. Remember it's ok to ask them too if you're unsure. 1. Anaesthetist – A doctor specialised in administering anesthesia and managing pain during surgical procedures, including epidurals and general anaesthesia.
2. Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) – A healthcare professional who assists in the operating theatre, supporting the anaesthetist, preparing equipment, and ensuring you are safely managed before, during, and after surgery.
3. Obstetric Registrar / Consultant – Senior doctors specialising in childbirth and pregnancy care. The consultant is more experienced and oversees complex cases, while the registrar is in specialist training.
4. Obstetric Senior House Officer (SHO) – A junior doctor in training who supports the obstetric team in managing labour and delivery (I don't like this term but they use it)
5. Paediatric Doctors – Specialists in newborn and child health, often present to assess and care for the baby immediately after delivery (there it is again🙃)
6. Midwife – A trained professional who supports women through pregnancy, labour, and postnatal care, and often leads routine deliveries.
7. Possibly a Student – Medical, nursing, midwifery, or ODP students may be present as observers or assistants under supervision, depending on consent and hospital policy.
8. Scrub Nurse – A nurse responsible for maintaining the sterile field during surgery, passing instruments to the surgeon, and ensuring all surgical tools are accounted for.
9. Maternity Support Worker – Assists midwives and nurses with basic care, such as monitoring vital signs, providing comfort, and helping with feeding or hygiene.
