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Original poster

Anyone had a csection under general? Advice needed

29 replies

user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 16:26

Hi all,
I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant, due to complications delivering my first child I'm having to have a csection this time but due to medical reasons I can't have an epidural or spinal so they are going to do it under general anaesthetic.
I have friends that have had csections but none who have had one under general, I'm just hoping someone can talk me through it really as the drs are great at explaining it from a medical point of view but it would be nice to hear it from another Mum.
Also, I'm high risk with this pregnancy so having extra scans, and my medical condition is making me poorly towards the end of the pregnancy, I was wondering how many weeks you was when they booked you in, I was hoping I could be booked in early so I can get back on my medication but want to do what's best for my baby.
Any advice would be extremely helpful.

OP posts:
PumbletonWakeshaft · 11/06/2017 19:22

Hiya yes I did but it was emergency not pre-booked. What would you like to know? Xx

Original poster
user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 19:54

Hi, thanks for getting back to me, I'm just wondering how quickly you was woken up after delivery and how soon you was able to pick your baby up without help, I'm concerned that I won't be able to see to my baby on my own for days.

OP posts:
Ollycat · 11/06/2017 19:58

I have had 2 c sections - 1st under general and 2nd spinal block (both for medical reasons - pre eclampsia) - happy to answe any questions.

Ollycat · 11/06/2017 20:02

Just read your last post. Brought round v quickly after op. Probably didn't see baby for 6 or so hours but he was in SCBU so that may have had something to do with it. TBH I was fairly out of it at that time anyway (it was an emergency section). When I did see him they brought him up with all his tubes etc and left me alone with him.

After the first day I would say it was no different from any other section and you can do everything.

PumbletonWakeshaft · 11/06/2017 20:11

I woke quite soon, within an hour, and was very groggy. I also had a panic attack - general anaesthetic can do weird things to you! I don't remember much about the first few hours. I couldn't pick my son up for a few days, certainly not in hospital, I don't remember exactly how many maybe a week? It took longer for me to be able to pick him up from the floor so we got a moses basket with a stand and a changing table. Hope that helps. How long do you have to go?

woundedbutwalking · 11/06/2017 20:14

Watching with interest, my cs under general is booked in at 39+2. I'm feeling very anxious about it, despite knowing this is how my baby's going to be born for months now! I've been told 1-2 hours between birth & seeing baby (assuming no problems...). Hoping DH will be allowed to look after baby & give skin to skin until I'm in recovery...

Primulas · 11/06/2017 20:15

Hi OP, I've had two! First was EMCS, second was supposed to be ELCS, but he came early so was technically an EMCS too. First time round, no problems with baby. He and my DH were there when I came round and I held him straight away. My second had to go be transferred to NICU in a different hospital (which fortunately we had been expecting) so I only saw him briefly on his way to be transferred. Didn't see him again until I was discharged two days later Sad However experience with DC2 was an unusual situation and if there are no problems, I would think DC1 is what will happen. They were very happy to discuss what I wanted to happen, e.g. did I want DH to see the baby while I was still under (we went with yes and baby and daddy had a lovely cuddle!).

noitsachicken · 11/06/2017 20:18

My first was EMCS under GA.
I was feeding him within the first hour, but I was v groggy and had a bit of a reaction to the anaesthetic.
But he was born about 11pm, and I was on the ward around 4am so not really long. I have had two ELCS since, and obviously a better experience but first one wasn't terrible. Try not to worry.

bumblebee61 · 11/06/2017 20:21

Yes I have had one. I had an elective one with my second pregnancy as my pelvis is too small to have a 'normal' delivery. The third one I decided to have a general as I had a panic attack with the second one and nearly couldn't go through with the epidural. Just the thought of being cut open whilst consciously scared me witless, but I am just a very squeamish person.
The one under general was fine, I was vey groggy when I came round and was drifting in and out of consciousness for a while . I regret it just because I wasn't able to greet my baby properly and felt out of it for a while. Otherwise recovery was fine and I was out quicker than with the second delivery and there were no complications.

Trottersindependenttraders · 11/06/2017 20:22

Hi! Mine was an emergency but just to reassure the pp above that whilst DH wasn't allowed in the theatre during the section, he was able to hold DD when she was first born and while I was still out.

I'm not sure how quickly I was brought round but I was wheeled up to see DD who was then in SBCU. It was the middle of the night and after a 36 hour labour & the GA I was pretty groggy and don't remember much of those hours.

By the end of the next day though, I was up and about and doing what any other C section mum was doing on my ward.

Take some peppermint tea bags in with you, I thought I was on my way out, turns out it was trapped wind .

It's not the birth I thought I'd have but mine turned into a big emergency whereas yours will be planned. There should be time to have any questions answered at your pre-op and on the day - take a list along.

Good luck!

bumblebee61 · 11/06/2017 20:23

P.S. I came round very quickly afterwards and don't remember any problems picking the baby up that I can remember, no more so than with the elective section anyway.

bumblebee61 · 11/06/2017 20:23

Sorry epidural section not elective

rollingonwheels · 11/06/2017 20:24

Hiya
I'm having my c section under general anaesthetic this time too due to multiple health problems which are making a spinal anaesthetic a no no.
I'm also 27w2d :-)

Original poster
user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 20:25

Hi, thank you for your reply, my first pregnancy was a natural delivery but I ended up in intensive care due to my placenta ruptured and I haemorrhaged unfortunately.
Since having my daughter who is absolutely fine, I've unfortunately had cancer so have had to have my Thyroid removed and am now taking thyroxine daily, this has left this pregnancy high risk and I'm having bloods every four weeks and extra growth scans.
I have spoken to an anesthetist who mentioned having a csection this time but due to a nerve condition I have I would not be able to have an epidural or spinal so they said the only way would be to have it under general, I'm really unsure what to do....

OP posts:
SocksBoatsAndQats · 11/06/2017 20:25

You'll probably be a bit groggy, how are you intending to feed baby? If breastfeeding, there's a fair bit of evidence coming out about the benefit of antenatal expressing of colostrum. If you know you're not going to be with it for a little bit, baby could be given your colostrum in a syringe etc that you've brought in with you. At least that way, you have the benefit of knowing that baby will be sorted and fed for you so you can have that little bit of extra time to recover from the GA.

SocksBoatsAndQats · 11/06/2017 20:27

Eeek what a time of it you've had, you poor thing. I'm not surprised you're all over the shop.

Clairbel · 11/06/2017 20:28

I've had two too - both because of preexisting medical issues, and both babies came earlier than I was booked in (which was at 39 weeks). Both times daddy was taken baby asap after birth once checks were done and he did skin-to-skin then I was able to breastfeed(with help of a mw) quite soon after I came round with DD1.
I think I was maybe asleep for about 90 min and took a fair while to be properly awake..I remember asking a few times if baby was ok and apparently they told me I had a girl a few times before I properly 'got it'.
I was told that with a general they have to get baby out more quickly so are a bit rougher at start of process so you are a bit sorer afterwards (but the drugs are great!) and wasn't able to lift babies until maybe 24 hours after.
Hope all goes well for you OP.

MelinaMercury · 11/06/2017 20:34

I've had an emergency and elective section, both were under spin block but I was able to lift and change the babies within 24 hours. Before that I had them by my bed and just asked DH or buzzed a MW to hand me them.

SIL had a CS in general anaesthetic and was out for 2 hours from start to finish, the actual op takes around 20/30 minutes.

Her DH wasn't allowed into the theatre but he waited in the recovery area and as all was well with the baby he was given her within 5 minutes of birth for skin to skin and a feed of necessary :)

If it's in your best interests they may bring forward your dates but AFAIK they try to avoid anything before 37 weeks if possible.

AceholeRimmer · 11/06/2017 20:38

I've had two and they were both fine, I actually preferred not being awake! Falling asleep pregnant and waking up next to a newborn- ace! I was a bit groggy afterwards and needed monitoring but just for a few hours. I was with baby within the hour. Good luck Smile

Original poster
user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 20:38

Thank you all, I have my 29 week extra scan in two weeks then I'm going to speak to my consultant as I'm consultant led, I'm assuming it will be then that it will be decided, I'm assuming they will book it in then...
I'm hoping to breastfeed but will be back on my nerve medication about 3 days later which I can't breastfeed whilst taking, last time I got a machine and got out as much as I could before I had to stop but I was concerned I wouldn't be able to do that this time due to the surgery, will that still be possible?

OP posts:
SocksBoatsAndQats · 11/06/2017 20:45

Oh yeah, you should be able to pump, you just might need a little bit of help. Might be worth talking to La Leche League or looking up lactmed about your meds to have a look about how much actually does cross into the milk if you're really keen to BF. But at the end of the day, it's your baby and you need to do what's best for yourself in this situation.

Bravas · 11/06/2017 20:46

I had a emcs under ga, I came round about 90 mins after delivery. He had been with dh in that time. I came round properly to ds feeding on me, which was a lovely memory. I was then taken to the ward and was able to pick ds up out of his crib pretty much straight away.

Once home I used a stand for nappy changes and bathing which helped. I could lift him but nothing heavier like the car seat etc for about 4 weeks.

The enforced rest and staying at home, really helped with breast feeding and general recovery though.

Best of luck with it all.

Original poster
user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 20:58

When did it get decided? I'm just wondering when they will book my in, I've seen a range of dates on websites

OP posts:
MelinaMercury · 11/06/2017 21:01

I was consultant led for my elective due to issues in my first pregnancy and spoke with him at my 20 week scan, as a CS was advised I was given a provisional date that day then confirmed around 30 weeks.

Original poster
user1474526419 · 11/06/2017 21:08

Thank you, I will speak to them when I see them next at 29 weeks, I've seen that most people have their csections booked in at 39 weeks, would they consider doing it sooner I.e. 37 weeks? My thyroxine levels are constantly changing due to the baby and making me quite poorly I also have a nerve desease which has left one of my legs dead so I have mobility issues, the last pregnancy I ended up with e tremendous walking issues near to the end and couldn't get myself in and out of bed...

OP posts:
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