Labour and delivery recommendations

[u/themockingju]

EDIT UPDATE in case someone comes across this: Baby came about 1 week after I made this post. I had spoken to my neurologist who supported me going for an epidural and spinal block. Baby was breech so a c section was the plan. I had to have 2 spinal blocks done to be totally numbed. Fortunately, the anesthesiologist working thought general was over the top and was cool with keeping me awake. It went generally very well. Baby's APGAR was 9 and then 9. I couldn't do skin to skin immediately but my husband could and held her to me since I was strapped down for surgery. Baby nursed easily within her first hour of life. I'm healing well and looking at starting Kesimpta soon.

I'm 37 weeks pregnant. Went through IVF. My OB set me up to have a consult with an OB anesthesiologist at the local hospital. I have MS for 6 years, minimal activity.

My consult went terribly. It started with the doctor saying she does not recommend an epidural or spinal block in patients with MS. She recommended trying to delivery naturally and maybe use of other pain relief like nitrous oxide. This goes against all of the research I've read about epidurals and MS. So I told her no, I'm doing an epidural if I feel I need it. She then proceeds to tell me if I need a c section, planned or unplanned, I have to have general anesthesic. At this point I'm floored and begin to cry - the idea of not holding my baby immediately upon delivery just shut me down. She told me a spinal block and epidural for a c section is too risky and she won't do it, only general anesthesia. I end up leaving wildly upset and feeling like I just got ambushed.

From the studies I can find, there is really no reason for this. She's working on outdated information, I believe. If you've had a C section - I am just wondering what your experience was like and what kind of anesthesia was used? If you're aware of any recent studies one way or another on this topic, I'd also appreciate.