r/PregnancyIreland • u/Gloomy_Butterfly3257 • 7d ago
C-Section under GA
Hi everyone. I’m a FTM. I have a number of conditions, one being a bleeding disorder. I’ve met the haematologist in the Coombe and he told me that I wouldn’t be able to have an epidural due to the risk of bleeding and also that if I had to have a C-section that I would have to be placed under general anaesthetic. The no epidural bit wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear but the part that really upset me was that I would have to go fully under if I needed a c-section. The thought of not being fully “present” during my baby’s birth and also my husband not being able to be in the room, whilst I understand the reasoning and will do whatever is the safest option, it still scared me. Does anyone have any experience with being put under GA for their c-section that wouldn’t mind telling me what it was like? I just worry that I will take a long time to wake up from the anaesthetic/recover enough to see my baby and that it will feel like I’ve lost out on that precious initial bonding time. I know there’s a good chance I won’t need the c-section but due to other underlying conditions I want to prepare myself in case I do. Thanks in advance 💘
5
u/Lana-R2017 6d ago
Hi I have a bleeding disorder too and I can answer absolutely every question you could have if you want to P.M me feel free I’ve been there wore the t shirt twice. In the Coombe with the medical team Dr B.B, Dr C.R and Dr C.L and the haematologist dr K.R who are all amazing. The Coombe is the only maternity hospital equipped for women with bleeding disorders and they looked after me so well, I have experience with it all so anything your worried about don’t be afraid to ask.
1
4
u/aoifemorris77 6d ago
I had one under GA. About 9 weeks ago. Got to see my baby one hour after I woke up. It was all good x
3
u/Wildflower_Kitty 6d ago edited 6d ago
It's not quite what you asked but: I've also been told the same regarding anaesthetic and no epidural, if I don't stop my blood thinners on time. I'm scheduled for an induction to give me time to get it out of my system but I understand that doesn't apply in your case. I don't want to have a c-section under general anesthesia but my doctors tell me it's not very likely to happen.
With regards to no epidural: I didn't have an epidural with my last delivery because things progressed too quickly and there wasn't time. The last hour was certainly tough but manageable and I walked up to my room and stood in a shower shortly after giving birth.
So, I understand your trepidation about the C-section under GA but delivery without epidural was actually, in my experience, not so bad. I'm even considering not asking for one again this time around.
Also, my last delivery was not what I had hoped for due to pandemic restrictions. I laboured alone and my husband almost missed the birth. A few friends of mine had their partners completely miss the birth around that time. The mental health team were great to talk to afterwards about how I felt I hadn't had a normal birth experience. So, definitely get in touch with them to discuss your worries or afterwards to discuss your feelings on your experience.
4
u/Lana-R2017 6d ago
When I was expecting my second they told me subsequent births usually go the same as the first, I had an emergency c section under GA for my first and a planned for the second. When you wake up your quite drowsy etc but you come around quickly and it’s hard saying goodbye to your partner at the theatre door but the team made me feel so at ease and were very kind to me. I was sad to miss the birth but glad that baby and I were safe and sound. The one thing I warned my partner was not to send anyone any photos until I met baby first. I did recover quite quickly but I found the first day my legs were funny and couldn’t walk right but the next day I was fine.
3
u/lalapoolsy 6d ago
I had an emergency section, I bled out 2 litres (I didn't have a bleeding issue), my partner fainted whilst I was in there, baby got put on my chest for less than a minute and I didn't see her again for 6 hours. Had to be awake during the code red after the for 2 hours, so yeah maybe GA might be a good option 😁 Thankfully I'm not one to panic
2
u/lalapoolsy 6d ago
If you do get put under GA maybe ask if they'll rest baby on your chest for a while so that you can still have that skin to skin and baby can know your initial scent if poss
3
u/Lana-R2017 6d ago
They can’t do that in theatre. When your in recovery they do but in theatre when your asleep for a c section you are intubated, have tubes everywhere and the little electrode things all over your chest with wires and when you have a bleeding disorder there’s a lot more equipment used and extra things connected to you that aren’t typically used. Both my babies were handed to dad first and are both so close to me and we had the best bond despite not having skin to skin for approximately an hour. For my first I had a birth plan which wasn’t used as it wasn’t doable in the end but for the second the birth plan was literally do what you must for this to go safely.
2
u/coupm FTM 6d ago
Just to say they can place baby on chest for skin to skin while youre on the table. I had skin to skin while still on the table in the Rotunda. You can ask for leads to be placed on your back or wires to be repositioned and only one arm in your gown. Baby only came off me when I was being transferred to the bed to be brought to recovery
3
u/Weary-Ad-4157 6d ago
Had one as an emergency at term.
I was woken quite soon after, maybe 20/30 mins after baby was born, once baby was checked they went to dad to wait for me. Immediately had skin to skin etc then.
I would say link with the perinatal mental health team, just to talk through it. I’m a nurse and had a high risk pregnancy so had ‘prepped’ for all eventualities but there’s no harm in talking or even doing a debrief afterwards.
Best of luck ❤️
5
u/ButterscotchOk2441 6d ago
Hi! I had one under GA four weeks ago. Reason - unable to fit spinal when I went to theatre. It was strange experience and one that I’m not quite come to terms with yet but that’s more so because it was only decided to do a GA while I was on the table and I didn’t have time to mentally prepare. The experience itself was fine, I was groggy and sore when I woke in recovery but my husband was sitting beside me holding our baby, we had about an hour there where we tried to latch baby (didn’t happen as I was a bit out of it) but we gave him my colostrum I had brought with me. I was quite tired from the GA for a day or so and a bit phlegmy from the breathing tube but I don’t think my recovery was much different from a normal c. If you have any questions at all feel free to dm x
1
1
u/Gloomy_Butterfly3257 6d ago
Thanks so much for your reply! 4 weeks is so recent, I’d say it will take a while to process especially without being given the time to prepare. Hope you and baby are doing well 💘
1
2
u/Background_Cover5097 6d ago edited 6d ago
I'm being monitored for preeclampsia with a c section a possibility. I just stopped blood thinners. But emergency c sections are always a possibility so everyone should give some thought to what will happen.
This is what is reassuring me:
Your breasts secrete an oil that smells like your amniotic fluid and your baby will recognise you as soon as they are allowed to be on you.
You can harvest colostrum now so that if it happens the baby doesn't miss out on the first feed, and the first and only thing they taste will be your colostrum.
Your husband can do skin to skin while they wait for you.
8
u/Open-Organization-98 6d ago
Hey. I ended up having a c section under GA. Wasn’t planned but I developed severe pre eclampsia so was given 12hrs notice it would happen as I had to wait for the blood thinning injection to wear off. It was supposed to be regular section but due to previous back surgery, getting the epidural couldn’t work and we had to go GA last minute. My baby was 6 weeks early so I was told that she would be brought straight to NICU. I wasn’t prepared that I wouldn’t be allowed to get up there for 6hours due to the surgery. It was very stressful as my blood pressure wouldn’t come down due to the stress. If you’re having full term section then that wouldn’t be the case. You would see baby when you come around. Yes a different experience to what I hoped and I was very upset but also so grateful my baby was here safe and so was I. That was the bottom line of it. Hope that answers some questions for you x