33 weeks pregnant and I have an appointment with anesthetist....

[lupo5]

Good morning ladies...
I have an appointment today with dr about anesthesia. I have high BMI and high bp which is controlled with lobetalol.Everything is under control for now.BP is good and I was trying to be very healthy during pregnancy.
Now I am becoming increasingly nervous and not sure what the app will be about.
Anyone have any similar experience that can share with me..Thank you so much.

Hi,

I haven't had any appointments so not sure what to expect so can not help out there I'm afraid but I too also have a high BMI and have an appointment with the consultant? Which I guess is the same as you?

Hope all goes well for you and hope you can in lighten me what it's all about ?? how far into your pregnancy are you? X

Oops just read 33 weeks ?? sorry! X

Hi Lupo, have you asked for an epidural? They will possibly be looking at that and the way your back is made up I.e. Is it easy to see your spine. That's what mine was last pregnancy anyway.

Thank you so much. I am going soon and tonight I will let you know what happened ...Thank you so much for our help.

our=your

I also had an appointment with the Anaesthetist around 28 weeks. I'm high risk too, but for completely different reasons. Mine was to discuss the pain relief options available to me during labour (as some were ruled out) and the pros and cons of their recommendations. It was completely relaxed and I received a carbon copy of what was decided for to attach to my notes/birth plan.

It'll just be to make sure they can give you an epiduralepidural, if its required. Sometimes high bmi can affect their ability to site the needle. It'll just be a little chat and a look at your back.

As an aside, my favourite HCPs are anaesthetists. I've only dealt with HCPs through 2 pregnancies, and whilst the midwives, consultants nurses etc. have all been great, the anaesthetists have been, without exception, mad little pools of independent thought.

I'll never forget the one during my first EMCS gleefully stabbing me with a little needle to check if I was numb, or leaning over towards the end and saying 'hear that? That's them stapling you shut'.

Or the one I saw at my appointment who dismissed all my explanations about my high BMI and said it didn't matter, he'd prodded my (very sweaty.. but again he waved his hand in a not-caring manner) back and didn't anticipate any issues (and then went on to very thoroughly tell me what those issues could still be, and how likely they were).

So yes, don't worry, he'll have a chat about your thoughts, prod your back to see how easy he thinks an epidural might be, and talk you through the options.

Hi lupo5
I have appt with anaesthetist booked when I'll be about 18 weeks (same with 1st preg). I have to have ELCS for medical reasons and I can't have an epidural, so it'll be to 'discuss' GA and presumably tick a few boxes. Can't really remember what happened at the appt when I was preg first time round but as far as I remember it was quite routiney.
Good luck.

Mine scared the crap out of me, and didn't even look at my back! I hope yours is nicer!! :)

I didn't have a great experience with the Anaesthetist.... there were two - and one was really smiley and nice... but the other didn't read my notes correctly and thought I was deaf and started asking if I could understand her... (on the front of my notes it said deafness in husbands family) which was a little awkward and confusing and not exactly reassuring.... I also went because of High BMI (although I actually requested it because of fears of CS and tearing) and she said to me: "You are you here because of your size".... "but you aren't as big as we thought - it will be fine". Lovely - I thought - just what I needed. Then I started to explain that I was really nervous about episiotomy or CS and she just said "you have to remember we have to get your baby out safely". This irked me as if to say - you stupid woman - put your fears behind the safety of your baby. I mean of course I would... but wouldn't it be nice to be given reassurance so that I'm not stressed about it first? I'm sure stress has a lot to do with difficult births and I just wanted all the information.

So I can't say my apt helped me... but I have been doing a hypno birthing course which has made me a lot less fearful and given me a sense of control which I'm sure will help. Good luck with your appt.

Hi..
Day finally finished and it was very one for me.
I saw the lovely anaesthetist and the whole app was very informative and helpful.
He checked history of my two previous pregnancies (I was slim and no high BP) and he checked my pressure through out this pregnancy which is ok for now.
He checked my back and gave me info about epidural. He was kind and really nice and didn't make any reference to my high BMI.
I was nervous for nothing really.
Thank you so much