GA request for Elective C-Section

[chickendipperdipper]

I am having an elective csection due to previous traumatic labour, which has resulted in PTSD and I am in therapy for.

I was not supposed to fall pregnant (contraceptive failure) so I am not mentally in the best place, but I am keeping the baby.

This will be my fourth child but first csection

Consultants have agreed that I can have a csection, but I have developed such a fear of childbirth that I really don't want to be awake / aware of anything.

Has anyone requested a GA for elective ? I know they can for emergency situations but mentally I can't see how they will get my in there and stable if I'm awake,

Bearing in mind I have had anxiety attacks every time I have had to go to the hospital, I can't speak to the midwives without breaking down.

I am under the mental health team but I just can't get past what happened, they've moved me to a different midwifery team to who delivered my last baby, and everyone is being supportive but mentally I just don't think I can lay there and put my trust in them again, as selfish as it sounds i want to go to sleep and wake up when it's all over and done with

Bump

You need to ask to see the consultant anaesthetist in one of their clinics to discuss if they would be able to do this. They will sit down go though med history and explain the pros and cons. They generally don't like give pregnant lady's ga due to high risk of aspiration.
They would be able to go though with you the what happens if you choose to have a spinal.
They can also explain how the hospital do c sections as most you need to walk into theatre and lay down on the theatre table. Most theatres that are attached to labour wards don't have anaesthetic rooms attached. Howeva if it's done in main theatres they will have anaesthetic rooms.

Hope they can help you have the birth you want.

It’s probably best to ask for a clinic appointment with an obs anaesthetist ahead of the date to make a plan by for the anaesthetic (perhaps with a mental health midwife too). Hope it goes well.

I did for dc2 and they approved my request. Basically dc1 was traumatic because they triggered a previous trauma on the operating table and I couldn't stand the thought of it happening again. I had a psychotic break whilst dc1 was in Nicu and was a total mess.

I asked my ob consultant who referred me to a consultant anesthesist. She asked why I wanted it, listened to every word I said and said OK. They did ask me to keep my options open and plan for a spinal as well but promised it would be whatever I chose. I wasn't asked for a decision until it was time to administer the anesthetic. In my case I ended up with a spinal but that was entirely my choice as I went into labour ahead of my elective and ended up with a consultant who made me feel safe.

I felt very similarly and ran away from my consultant at one appointment. Would writing it down or emailing be an option?

Thank you for all the replies.

The more I watch and read about spinals I just think there is no way they'll get me in that room, I'm struggling to even have scans at the moment.

I know that it sounds crazy but I am getting help, I just feel so alien at the moment

If I could go to sleep now and wake up once the pregnancy and birth are done that's my dream.

It doesn't help that I'm so sick with this pregnancy, something I've never had before.

I have previously had a GA for a laparoscopy and I just think I'll be more comfortable mentally.

I sadly have no trust in any of them to not hurt me or not listen to me - which is what happened before

The more I watch and read about spinals I just think there is no way they'll get me in that room, I'm struggling to even have scans at the moment.

Check with your hospital but our local maternity hospital has to do all anesthesia in theatre, there isn't a separate space. They pushed me in on a bed as I was afraid I'd bolt otherwise.

@chickendipperdipper you really need a referral to the obstetric anaesthetic clinic. There are good reasons why we go for a spinal anaesthetic over a GA the vast majority of the time for c-sections but we also go GAs (mainly for emergencies). I have never done as a GA for a section where we haven’t done the GA in theatre and again this is for good reasons.

The anaesthetists at your hospital will be able to talk everything through with you and make a plan together for it. Wishing you luck x