Tecopa, I believe that if you don't consent to the spinal or epidural, they have to put you under. There are risks that your bub will need resuccitating if you have a general, which is why they don't advertise general as an option. What I had (small amount of sedative and a spinal - see previous post) worked out really well for me with much less risk to baby. I wasn't freaked out at all and coped really well during the op. HTH.