Hello,
I'm just over 33 weeks and I had an appointment with the anaesthetist today.
I have gestation diabetes, I have a suspected slipped disc in tail bone and sciatica and 9 years ago I had surgery on my back to remove another slipped disc ( L5 area)
Anaesthetist agreed vaginal birth could make current back problem worse ( also no position I could go in to give birth that would not be painful).
He said most anaesthetists would not do epidural or spinal tap due to unknown probs plus existing scar tissue from previous op - mostly due to where could insert needle and not even coverage and might not last as long during a c section.
So told me to have a think but advised a general anaesthetic with elective c section.
Sadly still getting my head round not seeing my baby straight away and being completely out of it but I also had some practical questions hoping for advice:
- how long did it take you to wake up
- do they give me any painkiller before putting catheter in? ( they mention in the info leaflet for c section with spinal tap but don't seem to with GA)
- when you first woke up did you remember you were going to have a baby?
- do you remember first seeing your baby?
- can they feed baby colostrum while you are out to help with insulin ( bearing in mind I have Gestational diabetes)
- did your baby have any breathing problems due to GA?
- how long did you stay in hospital after?
- what painkillers did you have? Can you breastfeed with painkillers?
Any advice or tips to make it a better experience? All I hear is avoid a general anaesthetic and feel sad that this is my option.
Thanks in advance xx