General Anaesthetic for Delivery

[Amelia10]

Hi,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and I found out last week that I have a very large ovarian cyst.

Consequently the Obs and Gyn consultants have told me that I cannot go into labour and have the baby naturally as there is a serious risk that the cyst could rupture.

I was expecting to have C-Section were they would deliver the baby and remove the cyst under a regional anaesthetic (epidural etc) at the same time. I have now been told that this is not possible. The size of the cyst means I have to have an incision the length of my belly (laparotomy). They will get the baby out first and then remove the cyst and an ovary. They are scheduling me for the op at 38 weeks assuming I do not go into premature labour before then.

I feel really scared and wanted to know if anyone on MN has been in this or a similar position, be that having your baby delivered under a general anaesthetic and not being awake to see them born - this really upsets me. And also anyone who has had an ovarian cyst removed with open surgery rather than key hole when pregnant - how was your recovery etc?

Sorry for the long email, this has knocked me and my husband sideways as it is our first child and I was expecting to deliver normally or with standard C-Section at worst. I never imagined meeting my baby in a recovery room coming around from a GA, having a huge incision and scar, having to recover from major surgery whilst trying to bond with my child

I don't know what to do...

I had my son with a spinal CS but I am a GA C Section baby, as was my big brother. It was how it was always done in those days. I have never asked my mum how she felt in the early days/weeks/months but I can tell you that we grew up really close and are still so. I think that this 'first minute bonding' thing is often overstated.

It's rotten now and you probably won't believe me yet - when I got told I was having a CS I was really upset and it took a while to get used to - but I can tell you now it matters not a jot how our babies get here, as long as they do.

I hope all goes well with your pregnancy and procedures. Remember: health first!

My second baby was born under general anaesthetic because they couldn't get the spinal in and it was quite urgent.

I don't know if you have had a GA before, but my experience of anaesthetics lasting more than an hour is that I tend to be awake but very woozy for a while before I finally wake up "properly" and start talking sense. When DD was born she was taken straight to DH while they finished the op. After maybe an hour he brought her to me in recovery and I was able to hold her. I was still fairly out of it so my MW latched her on to both of my boobs - I just lay there!

You will, I imagine be pretty sore after having that lot done but the good thing is that hopefully the hospital staff will be good about pain relief. I have never been given adequate pain relief after a CS but they always seem much more generous after other surgery!

You will be able to bond with your baby even if you don't see him/her born. Things you/your DH can do that might help you feel better about this include having the baby taken to him for skin to skin while you are on the table, asking the MW/surgeon to come and talk to you afterwards (they don't always do this after CS) so you can hear details about the birth. I know, for example, that DD2 started to breathe as soon as her head came out and it is good to know things like that.

I know this isn't what you want, but it will be fine, honestly.

I have hadtwo by GA. Dd1 as an elec was v straightforward. Dd2 as an emergency there were more complications which hindered recovery.