Elective C section when overweight

[Sheera1]

Hi all.

I had an emergency section 10 yrs ago after failed induction and lots of awful things including a botched epidural. He had several shots at it and my back was a mess. I ended up with a punctured dura and the awful spinal headache for 2 weeks. It was one if the most awful things ever.

They did try to treat it with a blood patch which is basically the same process and it was much better and went fine (helped I wasn't having epic induced contractions every minute).

Anyway, I was and still am overweight which makes it harder for them to do.

Due to the mess of my first labour I am going for an elective section should all be well between now and then as quite early just now.

Is the anesthetic for it the same process again as an epidural? I wouldn't want a General aesthetic but worry about them not getting it right due to my weight and ending up with the crippling headache again.

How does it work? Thank you x

Hi. If you’ve had an epidural headache before, then you are at slightly higher risk of it happening again, however you’re most likely to get a spinal anaesthetic rather than an epidural for an elective CS, (Sort of aimilar needle in the back but into a slightly different space around the spinal cord) and it will be more straightforward as you’re not in labour. You should be able to discuss the plan and what the risks of it happening again are - will you meet your anaesthetist before the day of surgery? Unless there’s anything else going on they’re most likely to say that it’s best to avoid a general anaesthetic.
Remember this will be a completely different situation from last time and you’ll most likely be completely fine :)

I'm overweight and had an elective section. I had a spinal. I met with an anaesthetist at around 34 weeks to discuss pain management, any concerns etc. He had a look at my back where the spinal would go as well. Hopefully you will get the same and be able to discuss your worries.

An elective section is a very different experience to an emergency. Usually they are very calm and positive. I loved mine.

Good luck to you!

I didn't have any problems with my epidural and I went on to have an emergency section with it. 2nd baby was a planned section and the doctors decided I was getting a spinal for that. I stupidly agreed a junior doctor could put it in and that mother fucker person kept missing and hitting straight on my spine. It was the most horrendous pain and I started shouting cancel it I'm going home, at that point an experienced doctor stepped in and did it and all was fine again.
Don't know what method they will be using this time but I will not be allowing any junior doctors anywhere near me!

Thanks all. That is good to know it is a bit different from an epidural. I would hate a general anesthetic! I guess I will be a total pain and go on and on about it to them so they get someone very experienced. Lol.

@Delbelleber yes it was the most painful thing every. They were hiding my neck tightly between my legs while I was having very epic induced contractions and it was a wrong ness I have never experienced. It was like he was pulling studs in my back and then lacing up between them like a corset. The puncture holes were all over the place.

Yes I hope under much calmer conditions it will go better. I will mention it to midwives etc so it is all over my notes. Lol. Not that anyone ever actually read my birthing plan anyway. Lol.

To add that when the spinal headache started I actually thought they had pulled something in my neck and was asking for hot and cold compresses.