Page 2 | C section under general anaesthetic

Firsttimemumma01 · 2024-10-31T05:28:34+00:00

Hi, Just wondering if there’s any mummas out there that had a c section under general anaesthetic instead of a spinal for medical reasons? I’m unable to have a spinal but I’m so stressed and sad I won’t be awake to see baby girl born/have that first skin to skin etc. Has anyone had the same and if so was it all okay? When do you get to hold baby? Does it affect bonding?

MotherOfCrocodiles · 31/10/2024 10:52

I was awake for all three of mine but DH still held two of the DC first for various reasons. I think it really affected DH and he felt a special bond with those two afterwards. I see this as a great thing since dads sometimes don't get that connection. I wouldn't worry that you as the mum won't bond.

whatwouldyoudoifisangoutofkey · 31/10/2024 11:25

@Destiny123 wow, you're amazing. For your attitude, your attention to detail , for your kindness in posting here .

AgeingDoc · 31/10/2024 13:27

Another anaesthetist here, though my days od regular obstetric anaesthesia are a long time behind me, and @Destiny123 has explained things brilliantly anyway.
But I just wanted to stress that a lot of the times that women have emergency GA sections it's because things are already not going well, most commonly because the baby needs to be born very quickly or the Mum is bleeding heavily, so the whole situation is likely to be traumatic and unprepared for. Having to be asleep for the birth may well contribute to the trauma of course but it's a part, not the whole. Likewise long separations after birth are usually because Mum, baby or both are very sick. It's more likely that a section is done under GA in those kind of situations, so sick Mums and babies are more likely to have had a GA, and more likely to be separated but the GA isn't necessarily the cause of the separation.
Trauma resulting from horrible birth experiences is very real of course but there are often multiple factors involved that go far beyond the anaesthetic. If you know you are having a planned section under GA it is very different. Obviously it isn't what many of us would choose, but that doesn't mean it can't be a safe and positive experience for you. Planned sections are usually far calmer, more controlled situations than unplanned ones, regardless of the anaesthetic, you haven't already been through labour, and you get to mentally prepare yourself and understand what is happening in advance and so on. In the sort of circumstances that an emergency GA section happens there's often only time for brief explanations and the Mum has no opportunity to build up any kind of relationship with the staff. If you're having a planned section it should be very different and you should get the opportunity to discuss your concerns with an obstetric anaesthetist well in advance - if you are not offered this then ask your midwife to arrange it but I'd expect it to be offered. Modern anaesthetic agents are short acting and, assuming everything is straightforward otherwise, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to hold your baby in recovery, have skin to skin and breastfeed. Your partner will probably be able to have skin to skin in the meantime too.
It's not many people's ideal birth and I'm sorry you're unable to have the experience that you'd like but please don't imagine the worst. In all likelihood the anaesthetic and surgical team will be very understanding and do everything they can to make things as positive as they can for you and you baby. I hope everything goes smoothly.

backinthebox · 31/10/2024 15:47

“a lot of the times that women have emergency GA sections it's because things are already not going well, most commonly because the baby needs to be born very quickly or the Mum is bleeding heavily”

@AgeingDoc well, yes, both of these things applied in my case. My baby needed to be born very quickly because I had spent 42 hours in a side room ‘taking up space’ (words used by one midwife when a doctor eventually called in to see what was taking so long.) My baby had been in an oblique lie position for the entire duration of that 42 hours, since my waters broke, and really had no chance of getting into a decent position to be born, so we were just curled up in a corner, slowly deteriorating. I was bleeding heavily because the doctor managed to cut through enough blood vessels, plus severing the round ligament, possibly because she was making haste to get me open, possibly because she had a patch on one eye, we’ll never know. What I do know though is that you never let a one-eyed surgeon near you with a scalpel! The anaesthetist insisted I be given a GA because the one-eyed doctor was flapping around so much trying to figure out which of the cuts she’d made was bleeding uncontrollably from, and the spinal block was beginning to wear off. I needed to wait for a consultant to be called in from home, as they’d made such a mess of me.

In all honesty, a planned section would have been far preferable to the emergency mentioned above. One day in ICU for me and 5 days in HDU, and 3 days in SCBU for non-breathing baby could probably have been avoided had a bit more due diligence been applied. I went private for second baby. Lots of positioning exercises, a midwife who actually looked at me instead of just sighing each time I saw her, and 2nd baby was born naturally in under an hour. Shame it was such a disaster the first time!

Scutterbug · 31/10/2024 16:01

I’ve had 4 sections, 2 were under GA. You come round so quickly it really isn’t a big deal. One of them my baby was taken to DH to cuddle. The other, baby was a bit poorly so was with medical staff.

forgivingfiggy · 31/10/2024 16:04

One emcs under GA due to previous spinal surgery and one ELCS. Had a pph with the first and so I was bloody glad to be knocked out. Both were fine. I had no expectations and lay to rest the idea of a wonderful moment of seeing your baby for the first time. Saw them both for the first time being held by their dad. Was lovely. Midwives very on it with the breastfeeding as soon as I was remotely conscious and breastfed both my girls until 2.

Aworldofmyown · 31/10/2024 16:16

I had a crash GA section so slightly different, but even in the midst of the emergency DS was immediately given to my husband and then laid back on me when I was in recovery, I remember a hazy breastfeed! They kept a close eye on both of us but he was with me all night, except for a bottle feed they took him off for as I was so exhausted.

Kitchenwitchwithuglynails · 31/10/2024 16:35

I had a crash cs under general. My first memory afterwards is of dd with my best friend who was putting her in the clothes I had chosen. I knew she was a girl, so must have been told during an earlier hazy moment of recovery.

I had no problems with bonding or breast feeding, and can honestly say it had no big impact in the long term.

DP found it quite traumatic as a helpless observer, but I experienced unexpected complications during labour that meant it was lifesaving for both myself and dd

she is 24 now. I’ve read that photos are often taken when possible now, which would have been wonderful.

Disturbia81 · 31/10/2024 16:37

I had both mine under general, didn't request this it's just how it worked out.
It was amazing going to sleep pregnant and waking up a mum! Skipped a lot of the distressing stuff. No affect on bonding at all, we've all been close since I first laid eyes on them.

Rebeccaalon · 31/10/2024 16:45

I had one csection under GA 2 years ago and due another one next week. It's very strange going to sleep pregnant but waking up with a baby but honestly it was absolutely fine. Midwife assured me she or my husband would have the baby at all times and I woke up and he was cuddling her in the chair beside my bed. I had no issues bonding with her or breastfeeding. Best of luck xx

Destiny123 · 31/10/2024 18:02

backinthebox · 31/10/2024 07:24

@Destiny123 you sound a lovely doctor. Without wishing to derail the thread or worry the OP, not everyone is like you and I was one of those mothers who was separated from baby, they were some of the worst days of my life and much of it as as a result of iatrogenic damage.

I felt at the time I bonded well with my baby as I had to come out fighting harder than the average new mother. The anaesthetist and SCBU staff were great, but everyone else I encountered, from midwives to obstetrician to post labour ward staff were awful, and seemingly clueless about how damaging they were being in those early days.

My c section was an emergency one. With a planned section making sure you have discussed all of the details that Destiny123 mentions with you doctor and midwife, and have briefed your birth companion well so they can advocate for you when you are not able to are all worth doing.

It’s never fun having such major surgery, but it shouldn’t affect your bonding with your baby. I breastfed mine until 10 months, despite being told a c section would mean I couldn’t.

That's rubbish, obv scbu admissions we can't really do anything about separating but the midwives should wheel mum to baby whenever requested, but appreciate they're crazily short staffed.

Unfortunately you can't have a birthing partner in theatre for any GA sections they have to stay in the room

Aww you've reminded me of a lovely lady I had, who had covid, so wasn't allowed to see her baby in scbu, as risk to other babies for 2wks isolation. Whenever I wasn't in theatre I borrowed the labour ward phone, went to scbu and videocalled her so she could chat to her baby for at least 30mins a day and sent her at least daily photos whenever I was on shift. She was so sweet kept hugging me. Bless :)

sixtiesbaby88 · 31/10/2024 18:03

I had a 1am emergency c section 32 years ago - placental abruption at 33 weeks. When I woke up DC was in special care but I had a Polaroid of DH holding DC at birth on the bedside table. Tbh I was just glad we were both alive! Although a bit miffed that my in laws got to see DC first then came and told me how wonderful he was I think I went to see him as soon as I could get into a wheelchair sometime in the afternoon after bursting into tears because I didn't have a baby...bonding was fine

Destiny123 · 31/10/2024 18:13

AgeingDoc · 31/10/2024 13:27

Another anaesthetist here, though my days od regular obstetric anaesthesia are a long time behind me, and @Destiny123 has explained things brilliantly anyway.
But I just wanted to stress that a lot of the times that women have emergency GA sections it's because things are already not going well, most commonly because the baby needs to be born very quickly or the Mum is bleeding heavily, so the whole situation is likely to be traumatic and unprepared for. Having to be asleep for the birth may well contribute to the trauma of course but it's a part, not the whole. Likewise long separations after birth are usually because Mum, baby or both are very sick. It's more likely that a section is done under GA in those kind of situations, so sick Mums and babies are more likely to have had a GA, and more likely to be separated but the GA isn't necessarily the cause of the separation.
Trauma resulting from horrible birth experiences is very real of course but there are often multiple factors involved that go far beyond the anaesthetic. If you know you are having a planned section under GA it is very different. Obviously it isn't what many of us would choose, but that doesn't mean it can't be a safe and positive experience for you. Planned sections are usually far calmer, more controlled situations than unplanned ones, regardless of the anaesthetic, you haven't already been through labour, and you get to mentally prepare yourself and understand what is happening in advance and so on. In the sort of circumstances that an emergency GA section happens there's often only time for brief explanations and the Mum has no opportunity to build up any kind of relationship with the staff. If you're having a planned section it should be very different and you should get the opportunity to discuss your concerns with an obstetric anaesthetist well in advance - if you are not offered this then ask your midwife to arrange it but I'd expect it to be offered. Modern anaesthetic agents are short acting and, assuming everything is straightforward otherwise, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to hold your baby in recovery, have skin to skin and breastfeed. Your partner will probably be able to have skin to skin in the meantime too.
It's not many people's ideal birth and I'm sorry you're unable to have the experience that you'd like but please don't imagine the worst. In all likelihood the anaesthetic and surgical team will be very understanding and do everything they can to make things as positive as they can for you and you baby. I hope everything goes smoothly.

Ta! One of my my reg mates messaged me recently going "guess what I had an anaesthetic home birth" I'm like errrrrr. "Cat1 section of course" 😄

gcsedilemma · 31/10/2024 18:36

I had a general anaesthetic, couldn't breastfeed but had THE strongest bond with my son. The moment I saw him it was like love at first sight.
The only downside is that you might need more pain relief in the few days afterwards.

LottieMary · 31/10/2024 18:49

Destiny123 · 31/10/2024 06:42

Obs anaesthetist. We will take v good care of you, you drink an antiacid drink before we start (unfortunately tastes yuck but small volume so I just recommend people neck it like a shot), the bed is tilted slightly to get bump off your tummy vessels. Oxygen to breathe before we start. They'll put a tube in your bladder to empty it before you go to sleep, paint your tummy with the antiseptic cleaning fluid and put the drapes on so they're absolutely ready to start before you go to sleep (we do this so baby gets the absolute minimum anaesthetic exposure but I promise you they won't start till we give permission and we are happy you're asleep)

The anaesthetic drip that gets you to sleep is cold can be a little achey in the arm, normal nothing to worry about. As you go to sleep our assistant puts a tiny bit of pressure on your neck to minimise acid coming up as you go off to sleep to protect your lungs, we warn people as don't want you to think we are strangling you, but most have no memory at all as its in the sleepy phase of anaesthetic

Keep you asleep give you pain killers and antisickness whilst you're asleep and wake you up when it's finished. As with any GA can get a sore throat afrerwards for a few days, v small risk of damaging lips or teeth but it's rare. GA sections are more painful so we put numbing injections in the tummy before we wake you and give you a clicky button pain relief device which u can click as much as you need post op but can't overdose on as it's locked out

We take you hundreds of photos of baby being born and the time of birth etc. Baby can go to dad with the midwives until you're awake, as soon as you're awake baby will be back on your chest in recovery

From going into theatre to being in recovery is probably just under an hour

All the drugs are breast feeding safe if you wish to do so, dad will have skin to skin when you're asleep, you can do so as soon as awake. Some people say it can affect feeding, I'm not convinced from the amount of GA sections I've done over the years. We routinely check all pts the following day and all those that wanted to, were when I've checked them

We write you up lots of painkillers, take them regularly even if no pain as much better to stay on top of pain than catch up with it later, take your laxatives you don't want to be constipated

Think that's all, feel free to ask qs if I've missed anything

Edited

This is great detail but do check as this is absolutely not the case at all trusts. It might be more common with elective GAs though.

TheMintEagle · 31/10/2024 18:51

I had an emergency GA c section last year due to HELLP syndrome - my husband and I were very upset when they told us because we hadn't anticipated not being together/witnessing the birth etc (was booked in for a regular c section due to breech baby), but once I woke up and saw my baby it didn't seem to matter. Husband did skin to skin; photos were taken by staff in theatre; no affect on bonding and no lasting trauma luckily. EBF for 4 months. The one thing that bothered me for a while was that I don't really remember seeing my baby for the first time as was v spaced out on the GA, but I've since heard from a few people who had vaginal births that those first moments were pretty hazy for them too due to exhaustion/blood loss etc, which really helped me to hear.

mumisfull · 31/10/2024 18:54

I had a planned c section under ga about nearly 14 years ago. This was after a very traumatic reaction to an epidural with my ds.

My dd went to scbu as she wouldn't breathe for a long while. I didn't see her for 2 days as I was too ill. The first time I saw her, I couldn't hug her, just stroke her skin. I got my first hug at 3 days and she had her first breastfeed then. Breastfeeding and bonding were no problem at all.
Everyone in the hospital was so caring towards the both of us that I know she felt looked after from her first moments.

mumisfull · 31/10/2024 18:55

Also, I didn't see my son for 2 days after a vaginal birth and again, we had no difficulties feeding or bonding.

steppingin · 31/10/2024 19:05

My emergency section ended up under general as the spinal didn't work.

We are all okay.
I don't do well with GA and feel very spaced afterwards, my girl was also a tiny premie so when I met her after waking I was not wholly present and overwhelmed by the wires etc all over her.
It was the middle of the night, she went to SCBU and I went to a ward, too off my head to notice to be honest.

When I woke at silly o'clock, the midwife was straight in to take me down to my baby, and that was much better! By this point she was looking positive at escaping SCBU within 48 hours so just had one wire, and I was more myself.

I did refuse all morphine etc though, as I felt the GA has taken enough from me, without that in the mix. I wanted to be present.

We have a brilliant bond, and always have.

I wouldn't worry, even in a natural birth you can't guarantee you'll get that warm cosy moment.
In a way, it was lovely that they bought her straight down to Dad and he started feeding and snuggling. He's always said he felt a huge rush of instant love that he didn't get with his first, and thinks it was linked to him getting this precious time.

Destiny123 · 31/10/2024 20:38

LottieMary · 31/10/2024 18:49

This is great detail but do check as this is absolutely not the case at all trusts. It might be more common with elective GAs though.

Show quote history

Which bit are you saying isn't true cos I'm in my 9th hospital now and has been the case in every single one.

Obviously some anaesthetists love obs and are far more keen on making it a fab experience photographing everything etc like me, some of my peers in training don't really enjoy labour ward and see it as part of a job merely rather than a passion so aren't going to give you the same photoshoot but if you ask the anaesthetist and the midwife one of us will get you pics (if we are busy ensuring mum is looked after if unwell then I delegate photos to the midwife

Wigglywoowho · 31/10/2024 20:53

I had a C-section under general but it was an emergency. The whole thing was pretty traumatic. They got me under and the baby out within minutes. My H had skin to skin immediately after. He held her for an hour or two. I was holding and feeding DC within two hours but I was pretty out of it. I did struggle after but I think it was a lot to do with the trauma before. I thought my baby had died. I think it's probably different as an elective because it's planned and you know what to expect. If you have a general can someone be present like a spinal or no? I think I would have benefit from a picture of my DC deing delivered, weighed and me with her all be it unconscious.

Chimbos · 31/10/2024 20:59

Mine was an emergency under GA. I don’t remember meeting my daughter for the first time as your memory is affected for an hour or so after waking up so you might want to ask someone to film that. I do feel sad that I wasn’t ’there’ for her being born but overwhelmingly I just felt happiness that she was here and safe and the moment she was brought into the world doesn’t seem like such a big deal now. I bonded with her straight away and breastfeeding was great- she latched on straight away.

Focus on the positives.. a pain free, calm way to give birth .. and you will know the date in advance.

Destiny123 · 03/11/2024 12:52

Wigglywoowho · 31/10/2024 20:53

I had a C-section under general but it was an emergency. The whole thing was pretty traumatic. They got me under and the baby out within minutes. My H had skin to skin immediately after. He held her for an hour or two. I was holding and feeding DC within two hours but I was pretty out of it. I did struggle after but I think it was a lot to do with the trauma before. I thought my baby had died. I think it's probably different as an elective because it's planned and you know what to expect. If you have a general can someone be present like a spinal or no? I think I would have benefit from a picture of my DC deing delivered, weighed and me with her all be it unconscious.

No, partners aren't allowed go be present for GAs (and I wouldn't want to be as a partner)... if we convert a spinal to GA mid op the partner is asked to leave with the midwife

The anaesthetist or midwife will happily take photos if you ask though

theeyeofdoe · 03/11/2024 12:59

Nor me, I was just glad he and I survived unscathed.

Rumblytumblytea · 19/11/2024 21:45

I’ve had a C under epidural and one under GA.

GA - when I woke up I wasn’t focused on baby I was mainly focused on me (baby was in NICU so in my mind the medics were taking as best care of her as absolute possible). I felt very very cold and shocked. They put a big bubble wrap blanket on me and hairdryer machine.
i was in more pain than epidural as that lasts after the op whereas GA stops as you wake up. They gave me morphine but it made me itch as it turns out im reactive to it. They were very attentive at finding a new pain relief that worked for me right away

didn’t get to see baby for 7 hours as NICU. My husband went to visit baby.

I still managed to breastfed the whole time as baby had colostrum syringes while we were apart and the midwives didn’t give any formula behind my back or against wishes etc. no issues with bonding, the love was from the first moment

however all the things I’ve said above, it was still an okay experience. I’m sort of glad I was asleep as I would have been absolutely terrified to learn baby was born floppy and not breathing