Anaesthetics????

[MumToBe2015R]

I have my Anaesthetics assessment coming up. As its my first baby I really don't no what to expect.

What questions do I ask?

What to expect?

[ladybunnikins]

You will have been referred to an anaesthetist for a reason e.g. previous anaesthetic problems, needlephobia, high BMI, spinal surgery. The appointment is mainly about finding out if it is OK to give you an anaesthetic (which includes epidurals/spinals) when you are in labour. In terms of questions for you to ask, it would be helpful if you read the patient information leaflets on pain relief in labour/caesarean section beforehand, these can be found on www.labourpains.com. If you are planning to have an epidural, you want to know if they have an anaesthetist available 24/7 and do they offer mobile epidurals.

[Number3cometome]

Hi OP, do you know why you are having an appointment with the anaesthetist?

I saw one at 16 weeks, I have a spinal fusion and am a planned C-section, unfortunately I cannot have a spinal / epidural so am a General Anaesthetic patient.

It's not my idea of what I want but no other choice.

Have you had issues before with anaesthesia?

You will need to let them know about any previous operations and reactions you may have had. They will ask you questions about smoking / drinking / drugs etc, just be totally straight with them and tell them if you are worried about anything.

If you have a high BMI they may want to check your airway to see if they may have a problem intubating (I don't have a high BMI but they did check) although this was probably just because I am a GA

[MumToBe2015R]

Thank you lady

numbe3 I'm having the appointment due to high bmi they said. This is my first pregnancy, so was a little unsure what to ask. Yes will be straight with them although I don't drink, smoke, do drugs.

[ladybunnikins]

3 things they are looking for with high BMI: difficult airway as already mentioned, tricky veins and how easy it would be to get an epidural/spinal in. They may recommend an early epidural but it is your choice.

[mummyneedinganswers]

Hi number3cometome just wanting to ask you about your decision for a general, I have a severe slipped disc with nerves sticking out, also have discs crumbling and have scoliosis of spine and I'm 11weeks pregnant and in absolute agony I was meant to have surgery on my spine but fell pregnant lol have u had a section under general before as that would be my option as I would not have anyone come near me with an epidural and my orthopaefic consultant has said there's no way they could attempt it as it woudnt be safe, so just wonder about the csection under general anesthetic ? Would you be in hospital longer than anyone else and is there more complications and risks to baby with general thanks xxx

[mummyneedinganswers]

Sorry mummytobe2015 for jumping on your post I also have anesthesia questionsxx

[ladybunnikins]

Mummy have a look at that website as well, it has information about a caesarean under GA. Shouldn't delay discharge but getting post-op pain relief sorted can take a little longer. The anaesthetic is passed over to the baby but only briefly so it doesn't usually have an effect and they have a paediatrician there for a GA section just in case.

[Number3cometome]

mummyneedinganswers

Yes, had a GA with my first, but for other reasons.

Does not delay release (I am planned for a 24 hour release this time woop!)

A couple of things I have been told - they will not be able to give me any pain relief until baby is out, as they cannot numb the area I was told to expect to be woken up in pain, that I would have a morphine drip attached, but may not feel the benefit for a short time.
I cannot have my partner in the room, and there are some small risks to the baby, mainly he will be sleepy and possibly some breathing problems although she explained it is rare, but obviously they have to tell you these things.

She explained baby would be out in minutes, the long part is sorting us out after, so baby really should not be suffering many effects of the GA as it is very short lived for them.

Risks to me are the usual as with any GA, it is more difficult to intubate a pregnant lady (hence why she checked my airway) but I have had in excess of 15 operations under GA before so she does not envisage there being an issue.

Unfortunately I have no options, with my last DC they said I would be a GA but on the day a very nice anaesthetist said he would have ONE attempt at a spinal block - it worked.

This time I am post-fusion, so cannot have it. I have some dangerous blood vessels which have grown on the vertebra from previous operations and my fusion goes too high, so they won't do it.

To be honest, I don't want to risk infection in there either, it is already full of foreign bodies (12 odd screws and pins, 2 plates, 6 pedicle screws and 2 rods!)

I feel sad, it was nice having my last baby when I was awake, I found with my first DC it was hard not seeing him born, but there were other complications around that which made the situation harder.

This time I am planning everything, calming music, handing baby straight to Daddy waiting outside (all being well!) and how I want my recovery to be and what drugs I want.

Planning really is the key - with my first it was an emergency CS, that really does throw you, especially with a GA.

Again OP, sorry to overtake your thread, just wanted to reassure mummyneedinganswers as I was very anxious about this after learning I needed a GA, but now very relaxed and calm about it (and looking forward to meeting baby!)

[mummyneedinganswers]

That's gd I did have a look but I've also been reading up and its saying that my partner won't be allowed to be there so I'm concerned how long it will take for someone to hold my baby and for it to get to the daddy as I will be asleep. And concerned they won't let dp stay as I will be asleep as these are things that have happened to others just scared xx

[mummyneedinganswers]

Number3 that's really reassuring. Thank you feel a bit more relaxed had myself petrified last night lol

[Number3cometome]

Ahh don't worry! You will be fine, we both will!

You can ask for baby to be given straight to Daddy to look after, my recovery is expected to be about an hour due to my previous c-sections, so he will be helped by midwives / nurses if needed (he is more nervous than me!)

They will not turf him out if you are not ready, don't worry about that at all