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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Anyone had a c-section under general anaesthetic?

25 replies

BG1234 · 14/10/2020 19:41

Hi all,
Pretty much as the title suggests, seeking experiences of anyone who’s had a caesarian under GA.
I’m still waiting for the official say so from an anaesthetist but basically consultants are saying there’s a pretty good chance I can’t have an epidural/spinal due to previous surgery. One consultant saw no real issue with a planned c section under GA, but another has put a few worries in my head, so just wanted some real life stories.

Thanks!

OP posts:

yoomoo · 14/10/2020 20:14

Following this OP if that’s ok as I think I may also need to have a GA for my section

StargazyDrifter · 14/10/2020 20:23

No advice, just to say I also had this possibility raised due to previous surgery and it was a big worry.

The consultant anaesthetist eventually decided that he would go ahead with the spinal block after all. I won’t lie, that was scariest part of the entire c-section for me, even though it was a planned one (breach baby and OC) so I wasn’t in labour and could sit perfectly still for him. Basically my spine wasn’t in the “right” place/shape and he has to have a few attempts. He also used an ultrasound to see the spine better.

The result was that they’d over-sedated. So, in a normal section (I am told) you’d have feeling from your boobs up, whereas I couldn’t feel my chest area or neck either. All in all, it was fine, no longer term damage and bonded fine with baby as soon as she was out, BF quickly, stood up next day (9pm birth) etc.

The only thing was I wish I’d mentally readied myself for the multiple attempts - the spine is a worry area for me anyway so I missed a trick there in terms of mental readiness.

Hope it goes well, however it ends up.

FelicityPike · 14/10/2020 20:23

I did, but it was an emergency.

trunumber · 14/10/2020 20:31

Nearly but they managed to numb me eventually (it didn't work the 1st 4 times)

One of my closest friends did, it was an emergency and honestly I don't think it was her preferred choice but she was fine afterward and both and baby (now 18 years old) were fine.

bluCoconutty · 14/10/2020 20:36

If I have any more babies I’ll be having a GA as have had horrific issues with epidural/ spinal I think I have slight curvature of the spine and it takes multiple (painful) attempts each time

doasIsaynotasIdo · 14/10/2020 20:41

I did, but it was an emergency (twin birth, prolapsed umbilical cord). Is there anything particular you would like to ask? Happy to help if I can.

bluebearss · 14/10/2020 20:44

I had one as an emergency cat one section. They tried for an epidural but I still had feeling when they tested so they basically shoved a mask over my face. Happy to answer any questions although my birth was quite traumatic.

fallfallfall · 14/10/2020 20:49

Not an emergency, 3 under general albeit 30+ years ago when it was very common.
Rather lovely honestly, intravenous in your arm, next thing you know someone is saying it’s all finished and to take some deep breaths. All 3 children fine and well cared for. Spouses can probably attend now.

Scrambledbeans · 14/10/2020 20:50

I did but as an emergency. It made it incredibly hard to bond with my baby as i was convinced she wasn’t mine as I had a disconnect between the birth and just being handed the baby when I woke.

dementedma · 14/10/2020 20:51

My first was an emergency c section under anaesthesia. 2 and 3 were spinal

Original poster

BG1234 · 14/10/2020 20:58

Thanks for your replies.
Yes @bluCoconutty my surgeries were for scoliosis at the top of my lumbar spine.
@doasIsaynotasIdoI @bluebearss I suppose I’m not too worried about surgery and ga (had plenty) or not being ‘present’ at the birth- I don’t think it’s going to affect any bonding for me and in a way it will be nice for my partner to hold the baby first as he’s been blocked out from any involvement so far due to hospital restrictions.
It’s more to do with risks that were mentioned with regards to my breathing but mainly the baby getting some of the anaesthetic and then being floppy/maybe needing assistance with breathing....

OP posts:

yoomoo · 14/10/2020 21:05

Ooo @BG1234 do you have bolts and rods in the top of your spine? I think we might be the same person 😂 be great to compare notes I think I’m further behind you in terms of getting a section agreed!

Original poster

BG1234 · 14/10/2020 21:15

Hi @yoomoo! Yes, I have some bolts but my longer pins were removed (one snapped- but that’s another story!!) and it’s lower down than most scoliosis cases (lower thoracic/upper lumbar) which is why I think it might be tricky.
How are things going with you? I’m 35 weeks tomorrow and am yet to see the anaesthetist

OP posts:

doasIsaynotasIdo · 14/10/2020 21:25

Hi BG1234, my twins were fine after birth, didn't seem too affected by the GA according to my husband (I was out of it for quite a while though). They were both awake and alert when he met them shortly after delivery. Don't know if that was because they arrived so swiftly after the GA was administered, but it did not seem to have too much of an effect on them. My husband met them first, had a lovely cuddle with them one at a time, and there were no obvious effects from the GA on them. I hope your birth goes well. All the best. 🙂💐

yoomoo · 14/10/2020 22:03

Thanks for replying @BG1234 it’s so nice to speak to someone who’s had the same surgery. We seem to be a rare breed
Ouch to the snapping, I think mine are still intact I assume I’d know about it! I have rods and bolts from T5-T15. My lower back is still curved but the metalwork went down further than I thought when I looked at my x-rays.
I’m only 21 weeks so had an initial chat with a consultant who had never come across someone like me before so is keen to speak to lots of other colleagues before agreeing my section. Tbh I was hoping it would be a simple yes no problem but it wasn’t! I know they are just doing their due diligence though. I have apparently been referred to an anaesthetist who will be keen to look at my spine but haven’t heard anything from them. Seeing consultant again at 28 weeks so hoping for a more definite answer then as it’s making me anxious, I definitely don’t want a natural labour as I’m worried for my back so hoping they don’t try and insist! Would love to know what your consultant said!
She did mention GA and the effects on baby but I’ve read as long as they do it fast enough so it doesn’t get into the placenta then baby will be just fine and as they normally would.
I am also hyper mobile which is another potential issue with spinal etc not working- I have trouble at the dentist and their local stuff - the joys!
35 weeks not long for you to wait now, how exciting. Do you know when your section is planned for?

MoreCookiesPlease · 14/10/2020 22:13

@fallfallfall

No, partners cannot be present in the operating theatre if the woman is undergoing C-Section under GA.

bluCoconutty · 15/10/2020 03:50

They tried so many positions for me but said the curve placement was making it very difficult. I had to lie down on my side in the end to be able to have it done and each time ended up with a leak of fluid it was really unpleasant but they just couldn’t do it with me sitting up

Isol · 15/10/2020 04:11

I did due to emergency. I did feel worried that DS wasn’t mine but actually the bonding and love at first sight was stronger than my first DD born vaginally.

He wasn’t floppy and didn’t need any assistance. DH was outside and handed him almost immediately. I had complications so it was several hours before we ‘met’ and they had to give him a first feed but after that he was breastfed exclusively for 6 months and then mixed fed to 9 months.

He has suffered some asthmatic type respiratory issues as he got older (now age 5) but probably not connected and it doesn’t impact him day to day or during sport.

I healed very quickly and was pretty much back to normal within a few weeks and out running again, far quicker than with my first.

Original poster

BG1234 · 15/10/2020 14:54

Thanks for the replies, they are really helpful.

@yoomoo, you probably know as much as I do at this stage, despite me being further on. I’ve had lots of midwife changes which meant I was never actually referred after my booking in. I only realised when I got fed up around 30 weeks and rang the hospital directly and they knew nothing about me. Now at 35 weeks I keep ringing to see an anaesthetist before my 36 wk appointments because I can’t really make a decision/put a birth plan in place or book a c section as I still need to know what my actual options are.
The two consultants I’ve seen have had some experiences of this but both said it really will come down to the anaesthetist. They did say vaginal is still possible and I’m not ruling it out, but also have a couple of other health issues at play to consider. The consultant said that the Trust will allow an elective c-section even as a ftm.
My fusion was t-10 to l-2. Yep- you’d know if a rod broke- I both felt it and, worst of all, heard it 😳🤢!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

BG1234 · 15/10/2020 15:01

@bluCoconutty in a way it will be easier if they do just completely rule out epidural/spinal. I think I’d rather that than what you went through. The thought of them repeatedly jabbing away unsuccessfully, when your anxiety levels are already sky high- I don’t think I can take it!

OP posts:

Original poster

BG1234 · 21/10/2020 18:37

Bumping for more experiences.... x

OP posts:

PragmaticWench · 21/10/2020 18:42

Yes but as a crash emergency section.

DH looked after DD until I woke and then he held her so I could feed her. That was very hazy but it meant I wasn't stressed and tense at the first feed, she just latched on!

The only thing I would have changed if it had been a planned GA would be to express some colostrum before hand as the midwives made DH give DD formula whilst I was asleep and it wasn't what I would have wanted (dairy allergies in family so I didn't want formula used).

Original poster

BG1234 · 21/10/2020 20:13

Hmmm- that’s good to know- thank you!

OP posts:

Trottersindependenttraders · 21/10/2020 20:27

Hello, I did but as a crash section.

I don’t know how long I was under for, I remember asking the anaesthetist to make sure I didn’t wake up during the section!

DD was quite poorly when she arrived (not related to the GA) so DH only got to hold her for a little while before she was whisked to SBCU and I was wheeled up to meet her when I woke up.

The next day I was wheeled up in a wheelchair to her rather than walking up - I’m not sure why now I think of it.

For a while I did struggle with the fact that I wasn’t awake when she arrived and if I am honest I barely remember that first meeting which really bothered me, I felt so guilty. I did worry that we wouldn’t bond but we absolutely did. She’s 11 now and I don’t give her arrival a second thought. No it wasn’t my ideal birth but she was safe and healthy and that’s all that matters.

My crash section was a huge shock so it took me a while to get my head round it. If yours is planned then you have time to process it all before the day.

Please ask any questions and I’ll happily answer.

Original poster

BG1234 · 21/10/2020 23:03

Thanks for that @Trottersindependenttraders. Yes, I guess that first meeting of the baby is very different. But hopefully as a ftm and as you say, time to get my head around it- I will be able to adapt to it.

Lots of the responses seem to be that although far from ideal, the GA had no real ill effects on the baby or mother- which is good to hear

OP posts:

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