Under what circumstances will the doctor administer general anesthesia for a c-section?
I am terrified about giving birth. I still have plenty of time before I have to experience it, but was wondering … will the doctor give you general anesthesia before performing a c-section? I have read that in some instances, in cases of an extreme emergency, they will do that. I think I may be the exception. I am terrified of getting blood drawn. They can never find my veins and often have to stick me a couple of times, or get more experienced nurses to do the trick. I was getting blood drawn on Tuesday for my blood type, HIV, and other tests, and almost passed out. That’s how nervous I was. If I can’t even get blood drawn without going into a frenzy, how am I going to give birth.
I had a fibroid removed a couple of months ago, so I’ve already been told there is a great chance I’ll have to have a c-section (due to uterine surgery). I’ve had surgery on my abdomen before (an appendenctomy, removal of a fibroid, and a couple of laparoscopies), so I already have a vertical incision that is about 4-5” long. I know that as I get closer to delivery I am literally going to panic about giving birth, and more so the fact that I won’t be able to feel the bottom half of my body and will have to be awake for the procedure. This may sound extreme, but I am the type of person who freaks out over medical procedures.
Filed under: Fibroids Removal
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I was like that before I had my first son. I hated needles and was terrified of even going to the hospital. When they give you the spinal anesthetic you don’t even see the needle. You sit on the operating table and hunch your back over and it only takes a few minutes and then it’s done. Then you have to lay on the table and it only takes a few minutes and then you are numb. It is very weird being awake but you have the curtain up in front of you so you can’t see anything. Just think that you will be meeting your baby soon, and it’s all worth it.
My sister had to have the general anesthetic but she was in labor for 13 hours and then they found out after pushing for 3 hours that the baby was face up so they tried to do a spinal but it was only numbing one half of her back so they had to put her to sleep.
i think it would have to be an extreme case. i had an emergency c-section i had an epidural and i was awake for it.
They only put you under when there is no time for anything else, to do it before then is a clear violation of your proper care and safety as well as the infant. Whatever general anesthetic you might be given will effect the infant the same way, meaning they will take a long time to wake up, they will have breathing difficulties and perhaps time in the NICU.
Stop worrying about how scary the procedures are, worry about your health after delivery and the health of your baby.
It is pretty freaking honestly to have a c-section. I will not lie and it is very rare for them to put you put for it. But maybe I can offer a suggestion if you end up needing a c-section
On my second c-section I was very scared. And so after my baby was out they gave me drugs in my IV to relax me. And it really helped. Getting the baby out only takes a few minutes in surgery. The after part takes much longer, so having the extra medicine was really nice. And it didn’t put me out, but I felt so much more relaxed than the first time. Once they were finished with me, I felt well enough to hold my baby immediately. So I highly recommend you talking to your doctor about what they can do to help you relax after your baby is born.
most doctors rather just do the epidural for c-sections but if you make it known that you want general anesthesia they will do it that way. its just not as common cuz with general anesthesia you have to work faster to get the baby out cuz the anesthesia can more easily affect the baby.
when ever i choose to have a baby i know i will most likely need a c-section do to my glaucoma (high eye pressure) cuz exerting yourself can cause the eye pressure to raise and i refuse to have an epidural cuz i’ve heard too many horror stories about misplacing it and having life long side effects from it. i’m a very shaky and jumpy person so i know i’d move and then i’d be in big trouble. i’m going to insist on general anesthesia.
as long as you are ok with not seeing your baby immediately i’d go with general.