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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

general anaesthetic at 31 wks

9 replies

toadstool · 19/07/2007 13:08

I'm writing in hospital - fractured tibia and fibula on Saturday, have not had the op yet (today is Thursday). Assuming the best, op should be tomorrow. I have a few questions for wise MNers, but PLEASE no horror stories, this is a dreadful experience enough as it is! 1) I want a general an. because the stress I will be under seems to warrant it. Is that ok healthwise? 2) I've taken morphine for 4 days and am now on codeine, I suspect I'll be back on morphine after the op. Is this safe? 3) Plan of action assuming the baby is OK is that I will go under mat hospital supervision some 2 days later. Is it realistic to think I'll be home some time next week?

OP posts:
RGPargy · 19/07/2007 13:17

Oh toady, you poor poor thing!!!! You must be in so much pain. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

I'm sure they are doing what they can for you and they are obviously aware of your PG so wouldn't endanger your LO in any way.

No advice i'm afraid, but i hope you are out of there very soon and on the road to a speedy recovery!

JARM · 19/07/2007 13:20

I wasnt as far on as you, but when pregnant with DD2, I had to have my apendix out. GA and lots of morphine and codeine (although codeine made me sick so switched to strong ibuprofen)

Baby was fine, and is fine now. Doctors were happy to go ahead and although I had to sign a consent form with "risk of miscarriage" written on it, they assured me there was a very very slim chance of it happening.

I really hope you are ok and can get the op you need.

Naetha · 20/07/2007 11:46

I had my gall bladder out 2 weeks ago under general anaesthetic. I wasn't as far along as you (I was 15 weeks) but I really researched the effects of GA etc as I wanted to know all the facts.

Generally, the risks of GA are highest during first trimester when it can cause a miscarriage. Second trimester is the best time, but as you get closer to your due date, the risk increases of triggering spontaneous (sp?) labour. Generally though, the risks are very low.

A couple of things as well - try and have a good chat to the anaesthetist beforehand - make sure he knows your pregnant and talk to him about your worries and hopefully he should answer them satisfactoraly. (is that even a word?) Sorry I'm very sexist, it could be a woman.

Morphine and codeine are safe during pregnancy (thank GOD!) but if used during or close to labour can cause breathing difficulties immediately after birth. Also any dependencies if used regularly and again close to birth can be passed on to your baby, so s/he may get withdrawal symptoms after birth. I doubt either of these scenarios will come about, so I'm guessing you're OK

Best of luck with the op, and enjoy the morphine - its cracking stuff!

Original poster
toadstool · 21/07/2007 21:09

Thank you for your advice! I had the op yesterday and I'm comfy (well, kind of) with an epidural that they'll remove in 2 days' time. I'm going to be 'weaned' onto morphine, but only if cocodamol doesn't work. The anaesthetist was excellent, she'd had an epidural herself so I felt I could trust her.The only issue is that a permanent epidural + pregnant guts + codeine = humungous, stinking farts I have no awareness of until they blow!! and I'm in a ward with 4 very frail old ladies, poor things must hate me...x

OP posts:
Hopeitwontbebig · 22/07/2007 16:08

hey toad, just roll your eyes when the stench starts and nod at one of the other patients.... you might get away with it!! Hope you're doing ok today. Speak to you soon. x x

Original poster
toadstool · 22/07/2007 21:51

Helpfully the most irritating of the dears went down with gut rot and spent the past 24 hrs on a commode - oh dear for her but a cover story for me! . Still on epidural...

OP posts:
Hopeitwontbebig · 22/07/2007 21:55

Sounds like you're in good spirits. Keep your chin up and nose shut!! Keep in touch. Sleep well. x

expatinscotland · 22/07/2007 21:55

Toady, I had major knee surgery under epidural and it went FINE! In the US, they don't use GA unless absolutely necessary - mainly to keep insurance costs low and they're able to discharge the patient sooner .

But have no fear! I mean, people have csections under epidural all the time, pretty major stuff, and it goes well.

I wouldn't worry about morphine dependency. Your body won't heal as efficiently if you're in significant pain, and tib/fib is pretty painful.

expatinscotland · 22/07/2007 21:59

Oh, I see you've had the op!

Good on ya.

Hope you have a speedy recovery .

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