Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

Original poster

Has anyone chosen to have a GA for a C section?

20 replies

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 18:12

I am 36 weeks pregnant and planning a VBAC, but may not be able to, and will then have c s under GA.(my last was a crash cs under GA)

Are there any positives to this decision, or am I the only one to even consider it?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NotQuiteCockney · 20/01/2006 18:29

GAs are a lot harder on you, and on the baby, than epidural. My SIL would have had to have a GA if she was having a CS, but this was because she has scoliosis (sp?), so siting an epidural was likely to be a problem.

Why would you have a GA for a section?

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 18:36

I have scoliosis (you did spell it right), which was operated on as a child, making it difficult, as a large portion of my spine has been grafted together.
I also have sciatica, and fear an epidural/spinal would cause more problems.

OP posts:

waggledancer · 20/01/2006 18:53

Jasnem, have you had a meeting with a senior anaesthetist? Anyone with potential issues with anaesthesia is seen by our head of anaesthetics at our hospital, so that if problems occur out of hours a plan of care has been agreed. Would think this is especially important to you cos of your plan to vbac

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 18:57

Not seen an anaesthetist at all. I saw consultant, and he wrote in my notes that I wanted a GA if cs was needed, but didn't ask why.

Got another appointment in 2 weeks - should I ask then?

I am really hoping for vbac unless another real emergency or scan shows something.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 18:57

Not seen an anaesthetist at all. I saw consultant, and he wrote in my notes that I wanted a GA if cs was needed, but didn't ask why.

Got another appointment in 2 weeks - should I ask then?

I am really hoping for vbac unless another real emergency or scan shows something.

OP posts:

beasmum · 20/01/2006 19:14

Jasnem, sympathy with you as I also had a crash Cs under GA.

I would definitely definitely have an appointment with an anaesthetist before you make any plans at all. They may have knowledge that would change your decision or make it obvious to you that there is no option if you know what I mean!

And positive vibes for you for a VBAC, that would get rid of this problem wouldn't it - and lots of people do it - you go for it!

Don't forget a crash CS is the worst thing - this time, even if it was unexpected it still wouldn't be a crash situation, and hopefully you would be in a better position to recover from the effects of the GA?

waterfalls · 20/01/2006 19:18

I was given a GA halfway through my C Section, because my feelings were coming back, I could feel the surgean in my tummy and was screaming....it was horrible.

waterfalls · 20/01/2006 19:18

But I was fine when I came round, just a bit traumatised.

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 19:26

waterfalls!

I don't look back on my last as traumatic at all. It all happened so quickly I didn't really get time to worry. I ended up with a healthy baby, so it's never really bothered me (until now)

DP on the other hand, was totally traumatised by the whole experience!

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 20/01/2006 19:31

It's worth preparing for a section, just in case.

I totally understand wanting a GA with the scoliosis. My SIL is a surgeon herself, and made her decision (that it would be a GA if she had a CS, which she didn't finally) after a consultation with a consultant anaesthetist. Who said he thought he could get the line in fine. Which wasn't enough for my SIL (understandably), so she decided her best option was a GA.

I would ask an anaesthetist to look at any notes you have on your back, and to look at your back, before making a final decision. A GA is pretty unpleasant, and best avoided, if you can.

waterfalls · 20/01/2006 19:31

Sorry, meant I was traumatised by feeling the pain. It was my twin pregnancy, 7 weeks prem, dt1 was a normal deliverey, then my cervix closed within a minute (very rare apparently) so dt2 had to be delivered by emergency C Section, Iwas still awake when dt2 was born, she was'nt breathing, and thats when I started feeling the intense pain from the surgeon trying to get the placenta out, so I was put under GA before I knew if DT1 was ok.

Sorry to frighten you, it was'nt the GA that traumatised me, just the rest.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/01/2006 19:32

FYI, I've had two sections. First was "elective" (footling breech, failed ECV), second was "emergency" (tried for VBAC, had prelabour for weeks, water broke, head didn't engage, cervix not even effaced. Decided not to labour for hours getting nowhere). Both were fine. I have a mild phobia of needles, and am very twitchy about spinal damage. The idea of a spinal anaesthetic makes me ... quite upset. But I had epidurals both times, and they were fine. Obviously my situation is totally different from yours, but I'm just explaining.

nikkie · 20/01/2006 19:32

I had 2 under GA dd1s epiduraldin't go in til 3rd try ten didn't work, dd2s they didn't try.

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 19:48

Waterfalls - I understood what you meant , at feeling the pain, though.

Nikkie - did you feel you missed out at all? Who had the baby 'til you came round?

OP posts:

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 19:48

Waterfalls - I understood what you meant , at feeling the pain, though.

Nikkie - did you feel you missed out at all? Who had the baby 'til you came round?

OP posts:

waggledancer · 20/01/2006 20:49

Another thought is for you to discuss your last labour and the reason for your crash section with your midwife and consultant. Last times reasons may affect this times vbac. Do think anaesthetist will decide with you how realistic/safe local anaesthetic will be. Hoping your birth is everything you want, but being prepared is always wise

Simplyred · 20/01/2006 21:02

I rather be awake on a spinal or epidural - I wanted to greet little person into the world!

ladymuck · 20/01/2006 21:51

I had an elective c/s with ds2 under GA. At my hospital it is standard to have a consultation with the anaethetist a couple of days before the c/s is scheduled. I've had a dubious history with spinal blocks/epidurals, so I was prepared for a GA. In the end we agreed that we would try and epidural, but go for GA if not successful.

Dh was with me going into theatre, though wasn't allowed to be present. However ds2 was quickly passed to dh upon his birth and they were both with me in recovery. I was groggier with the GA, but then when ds1 was born I was knackered and drugged after a 36 hour labour, em c/s.

I think that being able to think about it in advance helps. I still chose the theatre music! I guess it is a bit odd looking abck that neither dh or I were "present" at teh birth, but that hasn't really affected us at all. "Bonding" was as quick as with ds1.

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 22:43

Thanks everyone, I've got more to think about now, and will plan what I need to ask when I go to the hospital next.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jasnem · 20/01/2006 22:43

Thanks everyone, I've got more to think about now, and will plan what I need to ask when I go to the hospital next.

OP posts:

Flip