Questions to ask my anaesthetist..

[lilmisspositive]

Have an apt Friday with my anaesthetist and sat down to write some questions.
As with everything atm my mind draws a blank.
I have asked for this appointment as I want to put my mind at ease and I am terrified at the thought of having that needle. Also looking at spinal or epidural.

Can you help me out? What are some questions I should be asking?

Thanks in advance.

[AJC]

Honestly the needle is really not that bad. I saw one at my antenatal classes and near fainted. I was petrified. But on the day the theatre staff made me feel so at ease and they actually give you a local before the big spinal needle so you don't feel it. Afterwards you just start to feel a warm feeling then the numbness sets in. My anaesthetist spoke to me in hospital before I had a c/s and he just explained how it all works and what to expect afterwards. I am guessing you are having a planned caesar are you? I found it really helpful talking to other Mum's who'd had c/s. Good luck I'm sure you will be fine.

[mrs.kitarn]

AJC is right. I had one with DS and I was so focused on the contractions at the time that I barely noticed. The relief afterwards is fantastic. I'm definitely having another one with baby no.2

[ellasmummy]

I had a spinal with DD,and didn't find it too bad. And that was with the anethetist missing twice, and them not letting my DH in!! Don't remember any real pain, just remember it was super fast, and set in before I could lay down! (mostly cos I stuffed around, and didn't know why they were rushing me to lay down :P)

My questions to ask the anethetist when I go next month are:
can I choose a spinal
how close to EDD can I be before I am booked in (if elective)
BF straight away
Delayed weighing etc so I can have skin to skin with bub straight away
DH to cut the cord
Photos
Bub with me in recovery

This is all provided bub is ok, i'm not sure how much of this is just standard, but DD was rushed to the SCN so I don't know how a 'normal' ceasar goes IYKWIM?

I'm still not sure if I am going VBAC, elective c section, or see what happens and may still end up with c section, but want to be prepared either way I am sure I will think of more, will pop back in if I do.

[lilmisspositive]

Yes, it is planned unless I go early.. I am more scared about the first needle. Not too bothered about the big one. Lmao. I am petrified I will become anxious before it even happens. So hoping he can give me something for that. Thanks for all your responses. ; ) I have copied them onto a word document and will be bringing them with me. Apparently, he is the guy to ask re nails and nailpolish ect.. So hoping that I can indulge and get a pedi before I go in and keep my gel nails. Fingers crossed.

[*Belle*]

Hon the first needle is nothing, just like a little ***** when getting a needle in the arm or blood test really, its the spinal or Epi that takes longer, it depends on your weight etc, for me as im overweight, it takes a while, and its uncomfy sometimes and gives your funny feelings, but doesnt hurt, its hard to explain, like when you hurt your funny bone on your elbow?

ETA : focus on the baby hon, just think in 1 hour or less you will be holding baby in your arms while they stitch you up!, I got to hold my girls the whole time also remember the anethetist is beside you the whole time too monitoring you.

[*Beema*]

It isn't that bad, there is quite a bit of pressure when it goes in and it is uncomfortable, but you are given a local first, pity I had a contraction as he was doing mine, and I should have said something and I slightly moved, but got through it ok, holding onto DH and the Assistants hands. It was pretty quick to work, and it was just a warm feeling, but I found it bizarre people moving my legs around afterwards and all I wanted to do was wiggle my toes and move my legs and once in recovery I was constantly trying to move again

I looked at the floor and just focussed that it wouldn't last long

I only spoke to the Anaesthtist just before I went into theatre

You will be fine

[CinderToriella]

I didn't have a C section but i did have a spinal to remove the placenta afterwards..I was terriefied of the needle but it was nothing like i thought, they cleaned the area, had me siting and leaning against someone ,they cleaned it, i felt a cold chill from it, i felt a tiny ***** which was the needle that would numb the area then i felt nothing, i was over ,then they helped me to lay down on the bed , I was so scared before hand of the needles that i almost went for the general , but im glad i didn't know as i was no where near as bad as i thought

[berrme]

TBH, I wouldn't have thought there was that much to ask the anaesthetist. Just ask him to explain how the procedure works, how long you wil have no feeling etc. All the stuff about holding the baby is more up to the Ob performing the c/s than the person stopping the pain. I think it is good that you are meeting them though, it means you will know who you are dealing with rather than doing introductions when you are about to have surgery.

I agree with the other girls re having the spinal. I hated the idea of a needle in my spine, but it really wasn't that bad. Like Beema, I hated not being able to move my toes and legs for ages after bubs was out though.