C-section under General Anaesthetic - anyone had one?

[Mummy_]

I had a c-section under GA as it was an emergency situation and my epidural had not worked adequately.

I am really struggling to come to terms with what happened and get very upset when I think about the fact that both myself and my husband missed the birth.

It is such a surreal feeling to wake up and see your baby, rather than experience giving birth. It's a real missing piece of the puzzle, and I question whether it has affected how I have bonded with my baby.

Anyone out there who has had a section under GA? How have you coped and how do you feel about it?

Thanks

 

[April2012]

I had a c-section under GA as it was an emergency situation and my epidural had not worked adequately.

I am really struggling to come to terms with what happened and get very upset when I think about the fact that both myself and my husband missed the birth.

It is such a surreal feeling to wake up and see your baby, rather than experience giving birth. It's a real missing piece of the puzzle, and I question whether it has affected how I have bonded with my baby.

Anyone out there who has had a section under GA? How have you coped and how do you feel about it?

Thanks

My mother did for her last baby born via caesarean. The town she was in didn't have the medical expertise to administer a spinal...so they just put her under. She has never remarked on it as a negative. She had had three caesareans prior to that one, however, that were not GA.

 

[Lynw]

Hi
I had an emergency c section last Sunday (19 feb). My baby's heart rate was decelerating and not picking up, I had high blood pressure and there was meconium in my waters. I do feel I missed out on seeing him born, seeing my partners reaction and immediate skin to skin, but at the same time I'm just so grateful that he is here safely.

I hope you feel better soon. I was offered a service where a midwife would come and speak to me about the birth, why it happened, any concerns, etc ( a bit like some counselling) - can you ask if anything like that is available in your area?
Xx

 

[toothfairyx]

I had an em cs under GA as it was a life / death situation for both of us. My baby was extremely distressed by the time they got him out, blue and didn't gasp for 4 minutes, whilst my OH had to wait outside wondering if he was going to lose one or both of us. I am glad I was not awake to witness that, or the neonatal team working on my baby. But we are here, and healthy and that is the only important thing to me.
Undoubtedly it is a shock and very distressing when things don't go to plan, particularly when there is an emergency situation, but it will only affect your bond with your baby if you let it xx

 

[sweaty betty]

I had a c-section under GA as it was an emergency situation and my epidural had not worked adequately.

I am really struggling to come to terms with what happened and get very upset when I think about the fact that both myself and my husband missed the birth.

It is such a surreal feeling to wake up and see your baby, rather than experience giving birth. It's a real missing piece of the puzzle, and I question whether it has affected how I have bonded with my baby.

Anyone out there who has had a section under GA? How have you coped and how do you feel about it?

Thanks

Hi there - I have a couple of friends who have had an EMC under GA and they seem to be divided on this. Half are fine about it and have barely given it a second thought (or so they say), others have taken a while to get over it.

I think people underestimate the impact this can have on you - birth can be an emotional time as it is and it's perfectly normal to feel the way you do.

The best thing for you to do is talk to someone about this - not all HVs/midwives will necessarily be sympathetic/the right people to talk to, so see if you can be referred to a counsellor of some kind. Hopefully they'll realise that it's better for you to talk things through now than the possibility that you may still be worrying about this in months to come (it may even be worth saying that you want to avoid getting PND about this issue so you want to address it now - I'm not saying that you will get PND, but it's a way of letting them realise that it's important to you to try to deal with it now).

If you have doubts about your medical care, it's possible that sitting down and talking through the birth, why the decisions were made leading to the EMC, with one of of the doctors might help, or going through your medical notes.

I really feel for you, it's not the kind of birth that any of us hope for, I really hope you get the help you need to deal with things and are able to enjoy the relationship you have with your new baby.

 

[Mumzilla]

I had a general anesthetic for my C-section, because the epidural only numbed one side of me so when the surgeon began cutting me open, I actually felt it and they had to quickly put me right under. It was a shame I couldn't "be there" for the birth of my daughter and neither could DH, they kicked him out as it's standard protocol. And despite waking groggy an hour or so later, BD latched on for a BF as soon as she was put in my arms, it in no way affected our bond or breastfeeding and the only downside was it took a couple of days before the grogginess entirely wore off and moving around was a bit delicate for about a week. Other than that, I had no issues with it and would be happy to undergo a general anesthetic again if I

 

[Mumzilla]

Damn, hit enter. As I was saying, I would be happy to undergo a general anesthetic again if I had to. I am going in for another C-section in 9 weeks time, this time not an emergency C-section and hopefully I will get to be awake but whatever happens, happens. So long as bubba is safe, I'm cool with it

 

[Jaylynne]

I had an emcs on feb 5. Logically, I know it was the best solution for LO and me, but emotionally, I cry every time I think about it. LO was 8 weeks early, severe preeclampsia, my placenta abrupted and it happened so fast and DH couldn't come with me so I was freaking out on the table while drs were running like mad and I was being strapped down. Being put under was the best thing to calm me down!

I didn't get to see much less hold my baby for at least a day as he was rushed to the NICU and I was on so many meds I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to really focus when they rolled my bed to see him when I woke up enough after the section . He's finally released from the NICU on Monday and we are bonding just fine. I love my son so much and would do it again if I had to to keep him safe.

 

[jenjeep7]

I had GA with my 2nd. I my first c-section the spinal was too high and was much more traumatic for me. I tried a vbac with my 2nd and labor didn't progress. I went in for the c-section and could feel them wiping my stomach. They put me under within seconds. It took me a few hours to wake up, but my husband did great. He held the baby and talked to him the entire time until I could wake up. I was upset for a while, because neither turned out as I wanted, but learned to let it go. I had 2 beautiful babies that are now 8 and 9 years old.

 

[Mummy_]

Thank you so much for your replies and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It helps just to hear that others have been through the same as it is so rare to have GA for a c-section, non of my other mummy friends have been through it.

I went to the hospital to go through my notes with a midwife when my baby was about 10 weeks old. It was very emotional, but quite therapeutic, and it did help to some degree, but I still get upset when I think about it. I thought I would have put it to the back of my mind by now.....but I do keep thinking about it, and wanting to talk about it.

 

[Bernie]

Hi ya. I thought i would post here aswell. I to had an emcs under GA 3 years ago. I had been in labour for 3 days and i wasnt dialating that quickly.The contractions were irregular. I had no pain reliefe until the midwife on the 3rd day suggested it to me so i could get some sleep as i was hooked up to the hormone drip to help get the contractions to speed up. The contractions got more and more painful and i was dialating like i was supposed to finally. But then problems started.They told me i could start pushing so i did and i did for about 45 mins and nothing was happening and my babys heartbeat was slowing down and kept pausing and speedign up very fast. It was then found out i still had a bit of cervix that hadnt come away so i was in fact 9 cm dialated and had be pushing against my cervix. So then the midwfie team and the nurses and doctor came in all at the bottom of the bed nearly arguing with each other what to do next while my legs were in stirups and my babys heart beat was still not good. So then i had to have a blood sample taken from my babys head and then nurse went out with it. 5 mins later the nurse came running back in and said babys blood suguar levels were very low.In which the doctor turned round to me and said your going to have to have an emcs so i said ok. Then floods of people came running in my room unhooked the drips and wheeled me off. I said to them to wait for my OH but they said he couldnt be with me. Before i knew it i was lifted on to the table with the whole team with me someone holding a mask over my face someone else stabbing me in the back of the hand with a needle and i was out. Then i woke up very very tired and my OH just came in to the room and i said to the nurse wheres my baby and she just said shes over there in the cot So she brought her over and she latched staright on to the breast. I remeber complaining that her feet where touching my wound which was painful so i had to hold her feet. But i never ever expierenced tiredness like it before. I would go completely dizzy everytime i stood up coz i was so tired and i had my bloods checked incase i was anemic. That was my expierence of it. I have had another baby since but i went for an elective c section simply because i was so scared of having to go through the same thing. I got PND after having my first aswell but second time round i was fine.

 

[April2012]

I posted initially just to say my mom had a C-Section via GA.

Anyway, I also wanted to say that I have a scheduled elective caesarean booked for the delivery of my first baby this April. I asked my doctor specifically if I could be put under GA. She said it was unlikely the anesthetist would "go for that" without it being an emergency, etc. But I plan to talk to him/her about it as I would prefer GA. For me, I don't want to be awake while a surgeon is cutting into my abdomen, and I do not want anything near my spine. I understand that i will miss that moment when my baby is pulled from my body. I understand (or suspect) my OH cannot be present while I am under GA. Even knowing those two things, I still would prefer GA. Of course, I readily admit I have never given birth under any set of circumstances before, but that is how I feel having reached the age of 35, having undergone many traumatic experiences in those years, and for having been blessed with this pregnancy. for what it is worth...

 

[Alias]

I had a section under GA. Similar to someone else, both baby and I were at risk, I was bleeding out and DD's heartbeat was so shallow they barely found it. She was born minutes later not breathing, but was revived and is now a wonderful almost 2 year old. It did take a while to get over the whole thing. I think though harder than the GA part was that DD spent 2 weeks in special care, and I didn't even get to see her until a brief visit at 7pm that night (she was born at 2am). We didn't bond properly until after she got home, but now she's absolutely the most special thing in my life. I'm due baby 2 now, and worried about the birth but not dwelling on it, we'll see what happens. As long as the baby and I are safe, I don't care how he's born.

 

[Ryders_Mommie]

I was under GA. I missed the birth, my FOB was there and he got to see, but we have no pictures. I wasn't even able to see my son until he was 3 days old.

 

[sweaty betty]

Thank you so much for your replies and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It helps just to hear that others have been through the same as it is so rare to have GA for a c-section, non of my other mummy friends have been through it.

I went to the hospital to go through my notes with a midwife when my baby was about 10 weeks old. It was very emotional, but quite therapeutic, and it did help to some degree, but I still get upset when I think about it. My baby is now almost 10 months old! I thought I would have put it to the back of my mind by now.....but I do keep thinking about it, and wanting to talk about it.

There are silly situations in which I question myself...for example I went on holiday a couple of weeks ago and we hired a nanny for our baby for the afternoons so we could both go out skiing. I didn't worry about our baby or think about him much when I was out skiing. Then I question myself...should this have been the case, would I have been more concerned if I felt more 'bonded' having witnessed the birth. I know this may sound silly....but I can't help myself. Because this is my first baby, I don't know whether my feelings are 'normal' or whether my experience of not being awake for my baby's birth has affected how I feel towards him. He is great, and I love him, and I feel very protective of him and have never had any bad feelings towards him, but just question whether what I do feel is 'enough'.

I still find it really upsetting to think about and look at the photos of the first time I held my baby, lying there looking spaced out with an oxygen mask on. What a way to say hello to my little boy for the first time!

Sometimes I wonder whether I imagined that my epidural wasn't working correctly. I had been in labour for 20 hours, and had been in control of all the decisions made around my labour, and so when they decided to put me to sleep it all happened so suddenly and I had no time to get my head around it.

But, as some of you have said, logically I know that the c-section needed to happen quickly, and so GA may have been necessary. Like my husband said, better to have missed the birth then to miss his whole life.

Normally I am such a rational, logical person, but this has and continues to hit me hard emotionally and I am just not sure how I am going to get over it. I think I will ask about counselling services, as I don't want to be in a state when I have baby no. 2 for fear of the same thing happening again.

Apologies for the long reply....just a lot to get off my chest!

From what you've said, you seem to be still traumatised by the birth and (IMO) you NEED to talk to someone. With things like this logic goes out of the window, it's not a sign of weakness, there are times when we all could benefit from counselling etc to help us get through things. For what it's worth, I'm currently suffering from depression which my doctor says is largely a result of my traumatic post-natal experience - and my LO is 18 months old! The sooner you can talk to someone about it to try to come to terms with it, the better.

Hope you get the help you need.

 

[KellyC75]

I had a c-section under GA as it was an emergency situation and my epidural had not worked adequately.

I am really struggling to come to terms with what happened and get very upset when I think about the fact that both myself and my husband missed the birth.

It is such a surreal feeling to wake up and see your baby, rather than experience giving birth. It's a real missing piece of the puzzle, and I question whether it has affected how I have bonded with my baby.

Anyone out there who has had a section under GA? How have you coped and how do you feel about it?

Thanks

Yes, I know just how you feel, my DS1 was born (19 years ago now) via GA csection, fetal distress after getting to pushing stages

I didnt meet my Son until he was 6 hours old & to this day, that upsets me

I am however just so grateful that he was born safely

I found that having more children & being able to be awake was how I coped, although of course I will always miss the fact I didnt get those first precious hours with my firstborn

 

[lillmoo]

ohhhh hun, i know this feeling well i actually have a thread here saying simular...i get to the point of tears sometimes thinking/talking about my labour. I was wondering if i go to the dr they can help with it, but i feel so silly because at least we're both here!!

 

[scaredmmy2b]

I did as had an emcs after laboring and trying to push both our heartrates were through the roof. And had fever. I cry almost everytike i think about. They didnt close the nursery curtain before they took him in there and people saw him before me and even took pictures on their cell phones. I didnt get to see him for 4 hrs after birth. Horrible traumatic experience. Hope youu feel better soon. But i did bond well with baby

 

[CertainTurton]

Hi,

I have just got back from seeing the anesthetist for my C section and have just been told that it is most likely I will have to have it under a GA because I have a neurological issue which could be serious if they puncture the spinal cord (happens 1 in 100 times with an epidural and isnt too serious for normal healthy people but could be for me!).
I have to admit im feeling really guttted as I wont get to hear that 1st cry etc as as DH wont be allowed in the room although he will get to hold her very quickly afterwards. The consultant said i wont be out for v.long, maybe 45mins after the cut... but most of your stories indicate longer - do you think that was because it was an emergency one?

 

[Mummy_]

I agree - I am going to look into counselling