General Anesthesia and C-Section?

Jess4481 · October 2009

I ended up having general anethesia for my c-section last week because I felt them cutting me. It was terrible and I have been so emotional all week about not seeing my DS come out after all of that time. It was all an emergency and a surprise. It has really been hard on me and I have been crying every time I think about it.

I was wondering if anyone else had general for a c-section and why you had it. If so, how are you coping with all of it or do you not mind? Maybe I'm taking this too hard or it is just my baby blues...Not sure. It would be nice to hear others' stories though.

MrsPreK · October 2009

This happened to me when I had DS. I labored for over 24 hours, had a spinal (to take the edge off the contractions) and then did not respond to the Spinal for the c/s so they knocked me out too.

I did feel bad for quite a while. I was so out of it. My c/s was at 3AM - I finally *met* DS at 9AM (I HAD to sleep after everything) and it was just sad.

I eventually got over it though and realized that he is here and everything turned out o.k. in the end!!

Please do not beat yourself up for it. There are several ladies on here that have had the same thing happen.

They told me the first spinal probably triggered me not feeling the 2nd OR that I moved during a contraction and it simply did not take like it should have. I was terrified that with DD I would have to be knocked out again but trust me if you have another c/s it is SOOOOOOO much easier the 2nd time around and you don't feel like crap after laboring, etc.

My birth story is in my bio if you want to read it though.

Blumunchkn · October 2009

I had general for my first c-section cause it was an emergency and my son was in distress (placenta abruptia). I wasn't able to see him for almost 48 hours after. My mom held him first then DH (he was scared and the nurses thought he looked to nervous so he waited until they got him a chair). It is understandable that you feel upset about this thought for some people those first few moments are very important. If it makes you feel any better i was awake with the c-sec and I still didn't see her come out they put a curtain up they cleaned her up then brought her to DH who was sitting next to me while they closed me up. The experience was a little different since I got to see her earlier.

iris427 · October 2009

I didn't have general, but I've still had a really hard time coping with my c-section. It's perfectly normal to go through this. You aren't taking it too hard--it was an upsetting, emotional experience and on top of it, you are adjusting to life with a baby. Cut yourself some slack (and I mean that in the nicest way possible!). Your feelings are what they are. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

You might want to check out the International Cesarean Awareness Network. They have forums, articles and resources for moms recovering from a cesarean--both physically and emotionally. There are some other good articles online if you search for recovering emotionally from a c-section, or something like that.

GL and best wishes.

andie312000 · October 2009

I had to have an emerg c-section too because DS's heartrate went into the 200's. Completely unexpected. I know I should have, but I barely even let the thought of a c-section enter my mind when I was pregnant so I really wasn't prepared at all. I was terrified, and I wasn't allowed to be scared or even think about it while they were prepping me. Every time I did, my heartbeat would go up and so would the baby's.

I didn't have the general anethesia, but they did dose me up with extra because I could feel something sharp. Honesly, I don't know if I really could or if I was paranoid, but I told him to give me everything. I was so out of it. I barely saw DS when they pulled him out - caught just a quick glimpse. They pulled the cart over to clean him up and I kept dosing off then too. Thank God DH did his best to film some of it. I cried when I first saw how much I missed out on.

The first night/day was hard because DH had to do pretty much everything. It was a good bonding thing for DH, but those first few days I just felt like I was floating.

Honestly, I know I have a bit of baby blues from it too. I was always pretty open and flexible with my birth plan, but it was so hard to not get that initial bonding time with DS. I know it's hard, but it does get better! It's really helped to talk to DH/family. Even if it's just having them repeatedly reminding me that it had to happen and that all that matters is that we're both healthy.

caduscher · October 2009

I had general anesthesia after 31 hours of labor, a failed epidural, and subsequently a failed spinal. I could feel everything they were doing in the OR, which they assured me wasn't possible at the time, but when they placed a cold washcloth on my stomach and I told them that I could feel THAT, they put me out. I was a little bitter for a while (and honestly still avoid TLC's "A Baby Story" like the plague because of it) because I missed out on my perfect birth that I had built up, but it gets better. I can't undo or change my bith story. So what if I didn't get to meet my daughter until hours after she was born and she was all cleaned up and perfect, not what I had envisioned, she was still my daughter. Eventually, when your hormones regulate themselves a little bit, and you start growing your relationship with your LO, the actual birth itself will seem like a distant memory. It will get better

Gina1221 · October 2009

I was under general anesthesia with my DS and I know exactly what you are going through. I had such a hard time with my birth at first and would cry just thinking about it. You dream of the day you will have your baby and going under general anesthesia is usually the furthest outcome from what you imagined. You don't get to see your baby born (I had to wait 3 hours), your DH is not at your side and he has to miss out on the birth too, you don't get to hear your baby's first cry, no cutting of the cord, all those moments that you envisioned are lost. When I woke up in the recovery room I was so confused and upset all I could do was cry. Thank God my DH was by my side with our digital camera and pics of our baby. I couldn't believe that after carrying this baby for almost 42 weeks everyone else saw him before me and my first time seeing him was on our camera. It sucks! And it's perfectly normal to grieve the birth experience that you lost. BUT...it will get better..I promise!! It took me about 2 weeks to fully be able to cope with what had happened. It really helped me a lot to focus on the fact that in the end I have a healthy and happy baby boy. It also helped me to read on the Bump that other women had similar experiences and that I was not alone in feeling the way I did. PM me if you need to talk about it some more...

LVila · October 2009

I was put under! Two failed inductions, lying in a hospital bed on Pitocin for 2 days, being sent home once, finally breaking my water only to be told I needed a c/s for failure to progress (I was only at a 3). Then I get in the room and get poked 15 times and the spinal doesn't take. SO SCARY. I know exactly how you're feeling and struggled with it. The birthing experience is built up to be sunshine and rainbows of seeing your child come into the world and I didn't have that. Sometimes I still get upset about it, but then I look at my daughter and realize that it was a necessary evil to get her into my arms. It's ok to grieve about what you missed out on and it will get easier to deal with as the days pass.

kyoto · October 2009

I felt exactly the same way! I was being induced and when the Dr. broke my water, I had a cord prolapse (the cord came out before the baby's head). The nurse jumped on top of me and shoved her hand up me to keep my baby's head off the cord. I was wheeled to the OR and put under in about 2 minutes. My husband didn't even make it inside. So, neither of us saw her being born. I woke up very confused. She ended up in the NICU for 8 days due to breathing problems because of the traumatic birth. Thankfully, she is completely fine, but I was VERY angry about the whole thing. Not only the birth, but every vision I had in mind of my new baby's first few days rooming with us was gone. I had to listen to new moms with their babies while I had to wait until certain times so I could maybe get to touch her foot. Yes, of course I am happy that everything turned out fine, but I'm angry that I had such a horrible birth experience.

But it does get better. I had some serious baby blues for a few weeks, but it passed. I still get a little sad when I think about the birth, but for the most part, I'm getting there in healing emotionally.

DanielsWife · October 2009

Like some of the other ladies, I didn't have general anesthesia with my C-section, but I did have a hard time coping with how my DD came into the world. After 28 hours of labor, my induction was declared failed/stalled - I only made it to 5cm, and I had been there for 12 hours - and I had my daughter within 45 min. of deciding to quit the pit and do a C. DH held her first, for a good 20 min. while they were finishing me up, and when he gave her to me in recovery, she cried for about 2 seconds, until she heard my voice.

Let's just say it was NOT how I imagined birth. And I had milk supply issues due to all the trauma, so C-section + can't BF = MAJOR baby blues.

And yes, like everyone else has said - it does and it WILL get better. GL.

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