Caesarean General Chatter & Discussion #8

[Mother Goose]

Nic, you won't feel anything other than tugging and pulling from (usually) the BB's down. But that depends on exactly where they insert it. In terms of what you feel, it is almost identical to an epidural. The main difference between the two is the insertion point in your spine (as in how far they insert the needle) and the drug used. I've heard a blanket rule that a spinal lasts longer than an epidural but, to be honest, that depends on what drug they use, how much they use, and your bodies metabolism and it's ability to process and secrete the drugs. They may also top the spinal up just before the end to provide long term pain relief over the first 6-24 hrs.

HTH

Star - how frustrating for you. Good on you for wanting to have a birth plan for a section. You will have either a spinal or an epidural for a planned C-section. It will ultimately depend on the anethetists as to which they use and what drugs they use. If you are concerned about a reaction to a particular drug - make sure they know it so they can think of an alternative. Perhaps try to find out who your Ob intends to use as the anethetist and then contact their office to talk to them.
In regards to other things to think about there is;
skin to skin contact ASAP (preferably before weighing)
BFing in theatre
Baby to accompany you to recovery
If baby can't go to recovery with you, to be in DH's presence at all times
Lights to be dimmed (the big surgical ones overhead. Hint, they can hurt your eyes so don't look directly into them!)
You could ask for specific music to be playing (but the Ob may find it destracting and refuse)

There were more listed in the C-Sect birth plan thread... I think it's a sticky? But keep in mind a lot of requests will come down to hospital policy (especially the baby in recovery room) and also Ob preference. Do push for skin to skin contact though. Unless there is something wrong with your baby and it needs immediate care by the ob for medical reasons - there is no reason why you can have a skin to skin cuddle before the weighing is done.

HTH and good luck!

MG

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Girls,

I just thought I would introduce myself in here. As you can see from my sig I had my DD by caesarean under a general anaesthetic 9 months ago. My Ob recommended elective CS due to a combo of reasons. I'd developed high blood pressure (which I was under the impression was PE but now I'm wondering whether it was gestational hypertension and not actually PE), My baby was still high and unengaged at 38 weeks (so OB said induction would be unsuccessful), and I have Graves disease so OB thought my body had been through enough.
The anaesthetist tried unsuccessfully to get the epidural in 4 times, he tried another space on the 5th go and got it in but I only started to go numb in one leg. before I knew it I was being told I needed a general and I was out to it without having any time to comprehend.
My physical recovery from the caesar was much better than I expected (apart from a bladder infection for the catheter), but my emotional recovery was not very good.

I am hoping for an empowering birth next time whether it be a VBAC or a maternal-assisted caesarean.

Mummatotwo, I am on the Gold Coast also. Do you mind whether I ask which hospital you are having your baby in?
Even if you go into spontaneous labour and end up with an emergency CS they can still lower the screen so you can see bub being born and they can still give you skin to skin straight away so make sure you fight for that.
I have to say that I also think that what they are telling you about not being able to have a VBAC because of the length of time you'll have between births is a crock. If you are by any chance going private at Pindara (where I had my DD) all but 2 of the OB's there do not allow VBAC's at all. The only two that do are Penny Isherwood and Alwyn Dunn. I really wish you all the best for your next birth.

Starbright, how frustrating! I can see why they would want to do a CS when you had Placental abruption, perhaps for some reason when the OB recommended VBAC he missed the part about placental abruption in your notes or just had some kind of mental blank. Not long now til you have that precious little bubba in your arms . . .