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

Original poster

GA for c section - have you had one and was baby ok?

39 replies

NotSureYesorno · 21/10/2021 20:11

In two minds about ttc again as I’d need a C section under GA and I’ve heard horror stories about babies needing resuscitation 😞

Can anyone put my mind at rest ? I don’t want to go ahead and then it’s a big problem but equally I’d love another baby

OP posts:
Chicchicchicchiclana · 21/10/2021 20:14

I had a c-section under GA because it was a major emergency, so a crash c-section. We both survived.

Why does it have to be elective for you?

Original poster
NotSureYesorno · 21/10/2021 20:16

I’ve already had c sections and I have a spine condition which makes the spinal/epidural unsuitable. I just think I’ve worried myself that if I do have another then it’ll be awful with a baby affected by the anaesthesia and pain levels afterwards due to no spinal

OP posts:
Damnyoureyes · 21/10/2021 20:18

Yes I did.
Emergency though apparently so GA was fast and not expected at all.
No idea about baby when pulled out, no one ever told me.
There was pre eclampsia and IUGR so possibly some resuscitation involved. Teeny tiny 5lb weight too.
just sleepy following GA for about a day, low blood sugar and not feeding well. Picked up quickly though.

Anyway you were asking about baby being ok.
Mine is nearly 6ft tall, head permanently stuck in the fridge and as right as rain!

Chicchicchicchiclana · 21/10/2021 20:20

They will take care of you with pain relief, I can't remember a lot of pain after my crash CS but maybe I had other things on my mind. You will be under GA for the shortest time possible so I'm sure it wouldn't affect your baby. After all, a C-section with "just" a spinal block hasn't been an option for all that many years.

But why risk it? You already have children. Do you really need to put yourself at risk again?

ancientgran · 21/10/2021 20:21

I had an emergency c.section no time for an epidural although the anaesthetist had tried to get the epidural done before the registrar arrived. Baby was fine, given straight to DH and they went off to the post natal ward to wait for me.

Original poster
NotSureYesorno · 21/10/2021 20:29

@Damnyoureyes

Yes I did. Emergency though apparently so GA was fast and not expected at all. No idea about baby when pulled out, no one ever told me. There was pre eclampsia and IUGR so possibly some resuscitation involved. Teeny tiny 5lb weight too. just sleepy following GA for about a day, low blood sugar and not feeding well. Picked up quickly though.

Anyway you were asking about baby being ok.
Mine is nearly 6ft tall, head permanently stuck in the fridge and as right as rain!

Thankyou that is really reassuring! I think I’ve read too much about the negatives as that’s what I googled and it scared me
OP posts:
MyMoneyIsAllSpent · 21/10/2021 20:29

I had an emergency C section and we were both fine!

DressedUpAtAnIvy · 21/10/2021 20:31

I was born by one at 34w as were all my siblings, we are all fine.

DressedUpAtAnIvy · 21/10/2021 20:31

And were all fine at the time!

Original poster
NotSureYesorno · 21/10/2021 20:35

Do they put the catheter in when you are still awake or asleep ? That’s another thing I was worrying about !

OP posts:
9monthson9monthsoff · 21/10/2021 20:37

Yes, had an emergency c section under ga - knew it would be a possibility as I couldn't have an epidural or spinal. Used remifentanyl as an alternative but situation evolved. Baby needed 10mins resus with oxygen before being passed to dad for skin to skin. Baby was sleepy and had problems latching, so were on an exhausting cycle of 2 hourly feeds with me expressing each feeds - but think that was mainly for reasons other than the GA. We had other complications that kept us in hospital for 5 days (hemorrhage, sepsis and PE to name a few) but we are now 8 months on and Baby more than fine. If I have another then will be planned section under GA which we will all be more prepared for, so have no concerns about doing it again. Good luck with whatever you decide

LifeBeginsNow · 21/10/2021 20:38

Yes about 4months ago. Mine was planned due to a spinal issue and went fine. They did as much as possible pre GA to limit the time under.

The baby is born within minutes so in terms of exposure to the GA, it was negligible. The hardest part was that he was crying out for food and my husband could barely keep up with syringes of colostrum.

Although I was nervous and worried, it was all very calm. Just a bit drowsy when I woke and my husband had to waft the baby in front of me a few times before I could see him properly!

Liervik · 21/10/2021 20:41

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

LifeBeginsNow · 21/10/2021 20:43

Catheter in while awake sorry. It's really not that bad. I'm a bit squeamish but they are quick and it doesn't hurt, just feels a bit weird.

They also shave while you're awake to limit the time under. They then apply the yellow solution which does sting as it drips down but only for a minute. Then they put the face mask of oxygen on and inject the GA which feels amazing!

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 21/10/2021 20:52

Ds2 was out within 5 minutes of them putting me under so I guess the GA doesn’t have time to affect them? He was 33 weeks so needed a couple of weeks in NICU but was completely fine after.

It’s a little weird having your baby born when you’re not conscious. It took me a while to get my head around the idea that the baby in my arms was the same baby I’d been talking to through my pregnancy.

I’ve had plenty of catheters out in and out - they’re good at it, it doesn’t hurt.

PragmaticWench · 21/10/2021 20:52

I had a GA for DD, albeit a crash section under general, and she wasn't too sleepy to feed. DH shoved her at my boob whilst I was still waking up (I have no memory of that) and she latched on fine, probably easier than if I'd been properly awake and anxious. The next night she fed pretty much straight for 12 hours, no sleepiness.

nildesparandum · 21/10/2021 20:52

Both of mine born by crash section under GA, but that was 49 and nearly 52 years ago when all sections were done under GA
Both babies needed resuscitation at birth but that was mostly due to the labour complications which made the c sections essential.
Not going into any more details as it could out me but both still alive and kicking

Greybeardy · 21/10/2021 20:54

For a GA section it would be normal to be prepped and draped and catheterised before the anaesthetic is started so that the time between going to sleep and getting the baby out is as short as possible. The birth partner would not normally be in theatre for a GA section. Also there are some drugs we wouldn’t routinely give until after the baby’s out to avoid drowsiness/breathing difficulty. In an elective scenario the baby’s going to be starting from a much better position than a distressed baby being delivered by emergency section. Paediatricians would routinely be present to assist if the baby did need respiratory support immediately though.

Different places use different techniques for pain relief but broadly it’d be a combo IV simple and strong painkillers, local anaesthetic (either wound infiltration by the surgeon or a regional block by the anaesthetist) and maybe an anti-inflammatory suppository.

Didn’t you have GAs for your previous sections if you have spine issues?

NotPersephone · 21/10/2021 20:57

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Scirocco · 21/10/2021 20:58

I was born by C-section under GA and I didn't have any perinatal issues from it.

Buttons294749 · 21/10/2021 21:02

I had blood thinners so would have needed a GA if I needed a c section within 12 hours of an injection (so half of the time)

The consultant was very relaxed about it, he explained baby might be woozy and need some oxygen but that would be fine/normal. He was mostly concerned that I should prep DH for it emotionally than worried about me or baby lol! As it happened DD popped out as soon as I got to the hospital so not needed. This would be the case if I have DC3 (although I stop injection at 37 weeks so most likely to not be needed) and it's not a huge worry

Original poster
NotSureYesorno · 21/10/2021 21:52

@Greybeardy

For a GA section it would be normal to be prepped and draped and catheterised before the anaesthetic is started so that the time between going to sleep and getting the baby out is as short as possible. The birth partner would not normally be in theatre for a GA section. Also there are some drugs we wouldn’t routinely give until after the baby’s out to avoid drowsiness/breathing difficulty. In an elective scenario the baby’s going to be starting from a much better position than a distressed baby being delivered by emergency section. Paediatricians would routinely be present to assist if the baby did need respiratory support immediately though.

Different places use different techniques for pain relief but broadly it’d be a combo IV simple and strong painkillers, local anaesthetic (either wound infiltration by the surgeon or a regional block by the anaesthetist) and maybe an anti-inflammatory suppository.

Didn’t you have GAs for your previous sections if you have spine issues?

No and it was absolute hell. The first we thought was just bad luck, thought maybe it was because it was a bit rushed not a full emergency as such but was an emcs they couldn’t place it, 3 failed attempts and a leak of spinal fluid then success on fourth go but needed a blood patch after which was also horrendous With the next it was even worse. 5 attempts and I begged for a GA they persuaded me one more try which did work but not fully then halfway through started to wear off . The whole experience was awful the pain having it placed was unbearable I saw a dr afterwards and it turns out I have scoliosis
OP posts:
careerchangeperhaps · 21/10/2021 22:35

Remember that the vast majority of sections under GA are emergencies and pretty serious ones at that (i.e where there is no time to wait for epidural). Therefore the condition of the baby at birth is likely to be poor due to complications during labour as much as the GA itself.
Regarding the catheter, these are normally put in when you're already under anaesthetic for most operations. However, they may want to minimise the time you're under GA before the baby is delivered and therefore do this in advance. You would be able to discuss this with your consultant.

Spongeboob · 21/10/2021 23:07

My mum did with me, emergency C section and she didn't see me until the next day. She reckons I must have been swapped at birth because we're so very different Grin (lighthearted)

whoknew23 · 21/10/2021 23:35

I had a GA with my emcs , I have a bleeding disorder so no spinal/epidural.

My baby was absolutely fine .

My catheter was inserted in the labour suite before it turned into an emergency section.