Request sedation during c section as well as spinal?

[Dawnlouiseg]

First ever post on here... bare with me! lol
Really just needing to know....
I had my first child by elective section as he was breach... Had spinal block and while on the table went into shock as wasn't expecting to feel everything! -mid wives had told me I'd feel nothing... When in fact I would feel it all just no pain.
I began being sick and became very itchy so they sedated me and I don't remember a thing after that until I was in recovery with my partner and DS.

We are thinking of trying for baby no2 at the end of the year but watching all these episodes of OBEM is filling me with so much fear!
I know I can ask for another c section, i think id much prefer this than natural birth, even with epidural the thought of maybe needing forceps or ventouse puts me off the idea of being pregnant again (selfish I know).

Does anyone know if I can request to be sedated before they cut me? I'm not sure i can handle feeling it all again..

I know I probably sound like such a wimp to you all!
Any advice on second c sections or even VBAC muchy appreciated :)
Thank you xx

Thanks for your reply :)
I think I might do that you know, I just want some answers before I fall PG so I know what my birth plan is... If they even count these days my last one went out the window!
Might pop along to baby clinic next week see if I can have a chat with MW.
Xx

Would it be easier this time around if you weren't expecting not to feel anything? It certainly is a weird feeling having someone rummage around your insides, but maybe you could mentally prepare for it?

Having had two c-sections, listening for the cry as the baby comes out, having a cuddle, watching her being weighed etc, I wouldn't want to be sedated and miss the birth (if you see what I mean).

I'd like to think I could prepare myself for it and just soldier through with my partner there beside me but its because I'd know it was coming I think it would be worse. I don't remember hearing my first son cry I just remember waking up and my partner was feeding him.

I know it's selfish but I could live without hearing baby's first cry if it meant I won't feel a thing. Do you know if I could ask for gas and air rather than a sedative being put in through iv?? Xx

If you have a c-section next time,which you will be offered as a choice as you have had one already,you will also be offered a choice about the anaesthetic and although will be encouraged to have a spinal, can also choose a general anaesthetic so you will be totally out of it during the procedure.So don't let what happened last time put you off trying again.

Ask for an appointment with an anaesthetist to discuss this. I'm an anaesthetist an would never offer sedation during a csection until baby out, as the drugs will cross the placenta. Also, sedation increases your risk of aspiration of stomach contents, so the sort of level of sedation you're talking about, where you know nothing of what happens, comes with a certain danger attached.

If you can't bear the thought of it then a general anaesthetic is an option, though with higher risk to you and baby, which is why they're rare nowadays.

May I recommend natal hypnotherapy? They do a cd for csection if you decide that's the way you want to go.

There are ways for you to get through this, and it's such a short period of time, please don't let that it you off having a baby.

Good luck.

Why would this be selfish? I'm in a similar boat, except the other way, I'd want a general if I had to have CS as epidurals frighten the shit out of me, even though I know it's irrational. I would do as another poster suggested and ask to speak to the supervisor of midwives to talk through your options. If you do decide to go for #2 then the last thing you'd want is for happy news to bd tinged with worry if there's no need.

Dont watch OBEM anymore though. The ratio of useful info to melodrama is too low!

Ahh thank you for all your replys!! It's nice to know I'm not the only one. A lot of people I've spoken to have all just said 'well every body goes through it it's part of having a baby' but that doesn't really help me! Lol
I think I may ask for general anaesthetic, does anyone know how long it takes to come round after that? I don't want to be out of it for ages after baby is here...last time I woke up from the sedative just as I was ring wheeled round to recovery so i know it wasn't very long lasting.
I had no idea that the sedative through IV could pass through to baby but I suppose that would make sense I had never thought of that.
I remember the point they sedated me it was because I went into total freak mode once I felt them start to cut!! I lost quite a lot of blood, I think my levels were .2 away from needing a transfusion.

I know people say 'you'd be amazed at what your body can do in labour' but I am 95% sure I'd need an emergency c section or some kind of surgical intervention if I tried VBAC. If I could guarantee a peaceful easy birth I'd do it! But I think Im going to feel much more relaxed if I have c section with General..

Has anyone had c section this way? Can you give me any advice? I just want as much info as poss before I speak with MW and even begin to try and get PG.

Also.... When we do decide to try for #2, we're going to give Shettles method a go for a DD! (Another topic I know) xx

I have had 2 c sections under G.A.
Both very good experiences. I can't actually remember how long it took to come round maybe an hour? Possibly less.
Because I am diabetic my babies were taken to SCBU for a bit anyway to check blood sugars and I never felt I missed anything by not hearing them cry etc. Bonded fantastically well with them , same as with my first baby who was a vaginal delivery.
For me I felt very calm and safe knowing I was going to be knocked out and wake up to my new baby with no pain or fear.
I did have a very informative talk with the anaesthetist before hand, the whole procedure and risks were well explained.
I think the worst part of it both times was having the bloody canula fitted, it makes ne feel ill. But otherwise from my own experience I have only good things to say about them. Good luck!

hi. I freaked out too on my first EMCS when they cut so they gave me gas and air and sang to me which really helped! Am having second ELCS in 5 weeks and really nervous but will ask for same. much less risk than a general.

I havent read all replies! ive had an emc. and hoping for a vbac this time. I advice you to NOT watch OBEM that really doesnt help situations or teach us anything its so dramatic . I would read Maggie Howels natel hypnobirthing. they have prep cds for even before conception up untill what you listen to in the delivry. what ever you choose is upto you but maybe try this as it really helps get rid of the fear your going through at the momment. goodluck

Dawnlouiseg, please get it out of your head that you are selfish.

You aren't. Really, its ok to be afraid. Its more common than people admit to because the subject is taboo and people aren't willing to talk about it openly. Its ok, to think you might not be able to cope with X, Y or Z and to look at various ways to deal with that. Doesn't matter what it is. It legitimate no matter how rational or irrational your fear is.

I am pro-informed choice and think you need to do what the best for you, and don't ever apologise or feel guilty for it.

My understanding of sedation with a general, is it is far more risky for both you and your baby than with a spinal, which you really need to consider. I also think you need to consider that given this how realistic it is you will be able to persuade someone to give you an ELCS under general. It may be very difficult to get someone to agree to given the additional risks. Even if you think its the right thing for you, you might not be able to do it in practise as a result.

If you are not currently pregnant you do have more time to deal with this. So take your time to look at and consider a few different options if thats a possibility. Please remember there is no 'right' solution to this. Only the best fit one for you.

Thank you all again for your suggestions, I'm not pregnant .. Yet lol.
RedToothBrush thank you :)
A huge part of me just thinks I should get on with it and have epidural.. But then the thought of the risk of needing forceps/ ventouse or even an EMCS start getting to me and then I think maybe c section would be easier as I know what to expect, but then on the other hand it was horrible and it took me ages to recover.

I know there are pros and cons for each option I think I just need to face up to it.. They all come with risks and pain! Lol

Jojo2509 ahh good luck!! I hope it all goes okay for you :) xxx

I had a CS under GA. One word about it: Don't. Not unless you absolutely have to. I was unaware of evrything for about 20 hrs afterwards. I can't remember any of DD's "firsts".
But more importantly: it carries an increased risk of death, which IMO isn't worth taking unless you really have no option. The GA will cross the placenta and affect the baby. You're unlikely to get anyone to agree to performing it anyway.
Honestly, I would do anything possible to avoid having that scanario again. Try looking into hypnotherapy (or any other therapy) to conquer your fears; they're your feelings and perfectly valid, but when you look at the real risk of GA/sedation then you can start to see that they are irrational.