I need advice from 1) Anyone who has had more than 3 caesareans and 2) Anyone who has opted for a CS under general anaesthetic

[zephyrcat]

Because I'm having a complete panic about this!!!

I've had 3 CS. Last one was 10 months ago. Am now pg with twins.

Last CS was horrible and I vowed I would NEVER do it again.

I know there is the option of a general anaesthetic so I'm asleep and don't have to have that god awful needle in my back but is the risk an awful lot bigger?

TWINS ?! OMG

Huge congrats to you, zeph

(no advice re sections though, sorry)

Whoa!

Congrats.

Bump.

Thanks Guys Scary eh? Will mean me having 5 under 6 I don't really know what I'm doing!

Who are the midwives/pg people around - is it mears?

5 under 6!

Huzzah!

Zephyr,
I had DD by emergency section, following failed induction. Because it was an emergency, and the top up in the epidural wasn't taking effect fast enough, they knowcked me out. I was quite happy when they said I was going to have to have a general. So, when I had DS two years later (by planned elective section), I enquired about the possibility of a general. I really did not like the idea of lying there with no feeling in my legs while they tugged around inside me. But, the anaesthetist talked my out of it. He promised me that they used "only the best drugs from the best sources". So, I agreed and had a local. It wasn't too bad. I am glad I had a local. It was so much better for getting up and around that same day.

If I were to have another child, I think the most important thing is to go to hospital where I feel confident that I am in good hands. Where are you? You said your last section was not a good experience. Did you have a bad time at the hospital?

Oh, and congrats. Are you getting your head round the idea of the new arrivals now? When are they due?

Still not got my head around it! I'm too scared to think about it!

My problem with my last caesarean was that I have an extremely ticklish back. The thought of anything about to touch my back makes me jump. Including bloody big needles!

It took them soooo long to get it in. She kept missing because I kept jumping which meant she was hitting my spine, which hurt, and also scared the life out of me! There was an awful lot more pushing and pulling which made me on the verge of throwing up throughout.

The thought of them trying to do the epidural again is my biggest fear though.

It was Southampton Hospital. It was just not nice. I had ds at Salisbury and it was lovely and warm and relaxed and friendly, Southampton was just horrible!

zephyrcat - what about your previous C/S - did you have an epidural in place already from labour both times or was the second one an elective with spinal? If so, did it go OK?

What you need to do is ask to speak to the conultant anaesthetist about your last experience. It could be that it was a junior anaesthetist who was having a bit of difficulty rather than your anatomy.

A spinal needle is actually a lot finer than an epidural and is usually easier to get in. If your first deliveries were under epidural then I really don't think your back is the problem.

There is absolutely no doubt that it is better to have a spinal than a general anaestheric as you are pain free and you will be able to see your babies immediately. Witha general anaesthetic you are pretty sore when you first wake up and also very groggy.

Talking to the anaesthtist should allay your fears and they will ensure that the senior anaesthetists is there to do it. That is what they do where I work anyway.

Hi Mears, thank you for popping in

My second and third CS were elective so would that mean they were spinal blocks? I never did know the difference!

When I had my emergency with dd1, dp was there when they did it so he was able to basically bear hug me so I didn't move! With ds I can't really remember it but it wasn't horrendous. The last I was a nervous wreck because of the way the surroundings were, it was freezing cold so I was shivering as well as being nervous and she just couldn't do it. It took loads of attempts to the point where she was talking about giving me something else before trying again - forget what!

Can they sedate you at all before doing it?

Zephyr, I am not profession. But, couldn't you get them to put on some kind of cream that would numb the area before they put the needle in. When I had DS (at Queen charlotte) they were great. There was an aenesthetis behind me. Another guy in fron of me holding my arms and DH in fron of me for support as well. I was pretty well supported so I couldn't move. But, I'm not squeamish or ticklish about the needle. So, I didn't have your problem. But, I was very afraid of moving and getting a needle somewhere it shouldn't be.

Also, I have a block and an epidural in place. This is standard procedure at QC but I understand most hospitals don't do this. They just do the block.

zephyrcat - no they would not sedtae you because that would affect the babies.

The fact that your other C/S were electives without this problem makes me sure that it was more an anaesthetist problem than you.

Please do not try to worry overly about it. By telling the anaesthetist what happened last time they will do their best to avoid it happeneing again.

When a spinal or epidural is being put in, there is local anaesthetic injected at the start to numb the area first. After that the needle is put in. Last time round was obviously a nightmare for you but it is highly unlikely that will happen again. The key is to speak to the anaesthetist beforehand. Your midwife or obstetrician can arrange that for you. HTH.

Thank you for the advice Mears - I will definately make sure I mention it. The more I think about it, you are probably right, there was a lady doing the needle and another man 'helping' her (instructing maybe?) She got quite irate in the end with me moving about everytime she touched me - understandable but didn't help me!!

Hi Zephyr, It's great you made your decision! how exciting about twins! I'm sure you'll be a wonderful mom to all 5!!!
about cs - both my kids were born with elective cs and I was under GA (that wasn't my choice). I still got the spinal, but it didn't work fast enough and they had to give me GA, which I have to admit, was very fine by me. They assured me it's going to so quick that it won't have any effect on the babies.
I don't know if next time they will still both with the spinal and give GA again..This was in the Netherlands so sorry I can't tell you how it is the UK.
I'm sure the doctors can tell you how it is and reassure you it will be OK!
xxx

twins, blimey, congrats!

re your cs experience, it really is better to have a local as a general is riskier, recovery time is longer etc, when you go for your booking in visot, explain to your consultant your worries, you will probably be given an appt when you are further on in your pregnancy to see an anaesthetist, you can then talk about any concerns that you have.