If you were scheduled for a C-section could you opt for what type of pain meds you have...?

Question

Could you choose if you would like either a spinal/epidural or General Anesthesia during the operation? Do you have a choice in the matter?

(*Excuse spelling)

Answer 1

I had a scheduled c-section.  I didn't even ask for anything in particular...they just shot me up in the back.  They don't do an epidural, there is no need to.  The needle they use in way smaller and it doens't stay in place.  It's just a couple shots to the spine and a few minutes later I was good to go.  I recall the doctor saying something about not needing to be put to sleep or anything...besides, who would want to sleep while their baby is born.  I bet you could have a choice, but it really depends on your doctor.  There is no harm in asking...

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

NO, not in the UK anyway.

General anesthesia could kill your unborn child. You are sharing the same blood, so when they inject you the inject your child too and what it takes to knock you out could kill the child.

You can take some standard over the counter pain-killers but these would not be sufficient for your OP.

This is the reason they give you a epidural, in fact I think its the reason an epidural was invented.

Answer 4

People answering here have no idea what they are talking about. You will get an epidural or Spinal Block. If the epidural/spinal is not effective or if you have some health reason why you could not have one, then they will put you under general anesthesia. They do not want to give you general unless they HAVE to because it can affect the baby (make him groggy) and make it more difficult to assess him at birth. Also, it will take you time to recover and you will not be able to sit up and hold your baby for a few hours probably. Also, there are more risks associated with general anesthesia.

Answer 5

there cutting you open,  your going to be Put under.  you cant just take a vicodin or something.  

Answer 6

yes. definitely.

Answer 7

Yes !!

Answer 8

I HAD AN EMEGENCY C-SECTION AND THERE WERE NO CHOICES.. THEY GAVE ME AN EPIDURAL AND A BUNCH OF IV MEDICATION NO ANESTHESIA. IT GOES SO FAST ..NOTHING HURTS ALOT OF WARM SORT OF BURNING SENSATIONS THAT THEY EXPLAIN TO YOU WHILE ITS HAPPENING..I STARTED TO FREAK OUT BUT THEN I TOOK A DEEP BREATH ,KNEW MY HUSBAND WOULD BE BY MY SIDE IN A MINUTE AND THAT MY BABY WAS ABOUT TO MAKE HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE WORLD..GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

i had a c-section and i has a spinal.epidural then after the baby is born they put you all the way under to sow you back up. you have no choice what you get.  

Answer 10

Yes, I believe you have a say in what type of anesthesia they use in the surgery; however, I would highly recommend the spinal epidural.  Believe me, I was dreading it more than anything, but it ended up being not bad at all.  I get very sick from most types of general anesthesia, but had no problems with the epidural.  Also, the epidural wears off pretty quickly so that you can bond with your baby.  

Best of luck with your c-section and congrats on your soon to arrive baby! =)

Answer 11

The doctors pretty much know what is best based on your condition.  And they do give you pretty good pain meds.  I have had 3 c-sections.  The first two they never really explained anything to me.  So just make sure you ask the questions you need to know so you can better understand what they are doing and giving to you.  This last one I had a spinal and they also put morphine in my IV  it was great, I felt no pain and was smiling and laughing the whole time....meanwhile, my husband is looking over the curtain and gagging.  LOL    Then for after the birth, they kept me on morphine and percoset.  I highly reccomend percocet.  The main thing to make sure of is that you have a good pain program for after they send you home.  And if you run out of meds and still hurt alot make sure you go back and demand more.  If you are brest feeding though....they tend not to extend anything because of the risk to the baby.  The baby gets what you get.   The first two c-sections all I got was tylenol with codene.  It sucked.  It just knocked me out to where I couldn't take care of the baby.  The percoset for me was like taking ephidrine or  speed or something.  I was super woman.  I was sad to run out  but didn't have withdrawl or anything from it.  

All in all, as far as your choices, just ask the doctor what choices you have and what the difference in the choices are.  

As far as anesthesia, its not necessary for a typical c-section.  And it is exciting to be on the final stretch to getting to see and hold your baby.  You will want to be awake to hear his first cry.  It is such an amazing feeling that overwhelms you and it is sure to make you cry too.  With joy of course.

Congrats on your baby boy and good luck with the birth.

Answer 12

Normally you will have a spinal or epidural for a c-section.  It's safest, cheapest, and allows you to be awake for the birth of your baby. Only in an emergency (if there was no time for a spinal/epidural) or if you had a particular health issue that made a spinal inappropriate/unsafe would they use a general.

However, if you have strong feelings about wanting/needing a general, discuss it with your doctor. She may agree to a general.