Caesareans and Pain Relief (Open thread)

[Green Thistle]

(I didn't know exactly where to put this post; first of all I put it under 'surgery', but then I realised that as it's not HMS-type surgery then that might not be right, so I've put it here too. Please feel free to move it to a better place! )
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I've been told that I may have to have a caesarean rather than a natural birth when I have my baby in January (for reasons not connected to HMS). While I'd rather not have major surgery if I can help it, I understand that if it's best for the baby then it's a necessary thing.

The main thing I'm worried about is the epidural. I have the usual problem of not responding to dental anaesthetics and having very painful fillings, but I don't know if this is something that just happens to my teeth, or if I'd have the same problem elsewhere in my body.

My only other experience of locals is when I had a cyst removed from my scalp over 10 years ago, and that went very smoothly. However, back then I don't think I had a problem with dental injections either, so I don't know how to tell .

I mentioned this to the consultant the other day, and while he'd never heard of this anaesthetic problem, he assured me that there would be an anaesthetist who would know exactly what to do, and that there are several different drugs that we can try. This reassured me a bit, but it's still a bit of an uncertainty.

I know I might regret asking this as I don't want to scare myself too much, but sometimes it's better to know...
Has anyone had a caesarean, and how did it go? I'd really appreciate any advice on this so I have as much information as possible.

Thanks,
Heather.
xx

[Alison C]

Hello

I have had two Caesareans - all OK - didn't feel a thing - as I had a "spinal block" which is more numbing than an epidural. Spinal blocks can be topped up in case you need more effect. The only - ive was an itchy rash after the op - a reaction to the drugs - however this cleared after a few days.

Go for all pain meds after the op to help you move around - don't be like a hero like I was with my first! All sorts of meds available. Also go for a laxative to help pass the first post-natal poo - sorry to be blunt - but it can be tricky to pass the first one!!! Eating prunes was OK but I needed Lactulose too. With the first pregancy I had Lactulose too late so had too push somewhat which aggrevated my bowel fissure. Sorry to be basic here! Second time around , no problems as I had tanked up on Lactulose!!!!!

Ask to see the anaethetist several weeks in advance of the EDD to discuss the plan. It does help to raise questions and to make a plan for the team to use on THE day! Do take along the physio book if you have it. Perhaps discuss too if you need a general anaesthetic, if you have a loose jaw?

I had two Ceasareans due to 1 breech position and then 2 HMS as pushing could have caused tissue damage (by baby 2 they knew I had HMS).

For six weeks after the op, you need to take it easy (!) but bear in mind you cannot drive or push a pram up a hill so recruit any helpers you can, and tolerate any help!

Both ops went well - I enjoyed chatting to the surgeons during the op! Hope your other half is psyched up to watch - altho a screen will hide the op for you and your other half. You can have about 8 or so people in the room so you can feel rather on show but everyone is so helpful and jolly.

I will try to remember the meds I had post op and will post later.

My scar is OK by the way - second time around I had stitches left in which dissolved - better this way than having them removed (like the first time).

And - babies after Caesareans have lovely heads, not squashed!

Sorry to be so graphic here.

I do hope all is going OK and baby is OK?

Cheerio
Alison

[Guest]

Hi Heather

I had my baby 20 months ago, although I did not have a Ceasar - I had to have bpth forceps and the ventrouse cap and an epesiotomy (surgical cut) sorry about spellings! which left my babys head squashed and bruised. Once cut, my skin tore under the pressure leaving me with a 3rd degree tear leading up into my bowels. I know it sound dreadful but honestly it didnt seem bad at the time. Having gone through such a rapid birth with nothing but gas, I was over the moon that I had managed it all with out a epidural, only then to find out that I had to leave my baby and go for an 1 1/2 hour operation to sort everything out! I ended up having a spinal which was great it blocked all the pain, I was worried it wouldnt work but believe me they are good, only thing is my back seems slightly worse now- but could just be because of carring a baby and picking up prams etc.
The spinals make your legs numb for hours so a nurse has to help you out for a while.
I totally agree with what Alison said about the post natal poo - make sure you get lactolouse that makes things a little easier. Because of my trouble I needed suppositries so be aware.
Also my midwife told me to go to the chemist and get ARNACA in tablet form which is a herbel remidy to help clear up brusing - it helps alot ask your chemist or midwife.
Make sure everyone around you really helps - I couldnt do anything for 2 weeks and mine wasnt a ceasar! It can be hard to watch others do things but just remember get yourself back to health because you have the rest of your life to spend with your beautiful new baby.
Im going to try for my second baby next year! No mater what you go through its worth it at the end.

Good luck and remember dont try to do too much too soon.
Best wishes Lucy

[flyingfairy]

It is great to hear some positive experiences. It is a scary experience enough experience without having HMS. I hope all goes well with your birth. I would love to hear your experinces after the birth. Good Luck

[Green Thistle]

Thanks for all your replies. It's really good to hear that you didn't feel anything, and to know about the spinal block. I was having scary visions about having a caesarian without pain relief .

Alison, thanks for the tip about seeing the anaestheatist before the EDD. It's still not certain whether I'll need a caesarean or not (frustratingly they said they can only let me know in a month or so), but if I do I will definitely try and do that, and take my physio book with me.

What did you mean about the loose jaw? Mine gets very stiff and painful at the dentist, and one side is loose. Were you talking about having a general for a caesarean?

Thanks for all the tips, I will definitely stock up on lactulose!

Lucy, it sounds like you went through a lot. I can't imagine having to go through a long operation after just having a baby! It's good the epidural worked for you too, it's reassured me a lot.

I'll keep you posted about what happens.

Take care, and congrats on your babies!
xx

[Guest]

Hi I have had the epidurals and spinals in the past and had problem, However with my daughter's bith I had an emergancy ceaserian and had a general (eventualy another story) after care do as Alison says have all the pain relief on offer.I was a fool and thought I would have to stay in longer if I was on meds so tried to be brave and manage without, I didn't relaise until I was told by staff that I get no brownie points for pain tolerence and I can go home with pain meds.... DURH!!!!!

Just to add no matter what we go through as mums it is worth it, and there is an end to the pain....

Hope all goes well

Chris

[Alison C]

Hello!

I would suggest you ask your midwife whether you could see the anaethetist well in advance to discuss anything eg epidurals (I believe these can be topped up during the event!). If you bruise easily, they need to know eg use of needles etc. If you have any spinal problems, they need to know eg do you get pins/needles in a leg?

My loose jaw - since my teens, it slips a little but always goes back into place (touch wood!) - it slips when I yawn in particular. It did get looser during pregancy and for a few months after the birth (the relaxin hormone still hangs around for a while, making you loose and your body changes quite a lot afterwards but in your own time!). IF they need to do a general anaesthetic (eg emergency situation) for a Caesarean, they need to know that you have a hypermobile jaw as they do place a tube down your mouth (not sure how far it goes down!) and they also need to know how to position you and your head/neck, and all your other joints (this is also relevant for during a spinal when you do not feel your legs for a day so you do not know if your knees etc are slipping). I was handled with care! I had a catheter for 24 hrs post op by the way. I did bleed heavily afterwards needing anti-biotics - I suspect it was due to the site where the placenta was (but this is my unofficial view!) - the antibiotics did stop the bleed (the first pregnancy, I was not treated for the heavy postnatal bleed and this lasted for an exhausting 8 weeks so next time around I made sure I had some treatment!).

PLEASE note these pregnancy notes are meant to give you an idea but you may be completely different from how I was. Giving birth is such a relatively short time - having little ones is certainly worth the ops etc. You can easily forget with time what happened, especially when looking after your bundle of joy.

Congratulations on your news. Do let us know what happens!
Cheerio
Alison

[Green Thistle]

I just had a long chat with an anaesthiatist, who spent a long time talking to me, and was very helpful and reassuring. He'd heard of EDS, but had never come across the anaesthetics problem. He said that the normal procedure if you haven't had an epidural before the caesarean is to have a spinal block, and in the unusual circumstance where this doesn't work they would go straight to a general.

If I've already been given an epidural by the time it's decided on a caesarean, then they could give a continuous infusion to make sure I've got enough of a dose for it to work.

I have to make sure that all of this is on my birth plan and brief Daniel, but it's reassuring that they know about me and are able to give those different options.

Saying this, I'm still hoping not to have to have a caesarean, but time will tell! I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for all the advice,
Heather.

[Mari]

Dear Heather,
It's not long now, is it?
I wish you all the very best with the birth, hope all goes well. If I could offer a bit of advice - get your partner to be assertive on your behalf about keeping as active and especially as upright as possible so that gravity aids the passage of the baby. It is easier to help the baby along that way instead of pushing from a lying down position (unnatural).

All the best,
Mari

[Green Thistle]

Hi Mari,
Yes, just 4 weeks to go, so it's getting exciting! Thanks for your advice, it's very welcome. I've written a birth plan and I've put on it that I want to try to stay active, I'll also try to be as upright as I can.

As long as I don't have to have a ceasarean I'd also like to be able to have a birthing pool available, but I know they don't have too many at my hospital, so it's the luck of the draw.

I hope you're keeping well,
Heather.

[Guest]

Is it true the use of Epidurals do have a long term effect of back aches? Currently, I have back aches even before pregnancy.. and now with pregnancy the problem is a bit more worst. At the end of the day, I'm waddling most of the time and I'm only 3 months pregnant!

So does anyone here have any experience of epidural making back aches worst?

[LianneS]

This is an old post but as Ive not long had an epidural I can now answer...

My mum had one when she had a bladder repair as she wasnt put out completely, seh says her back was fantastic after (she has spondilosis - we do think she has hm but it doesnt affect her as a syndrome).
I had one 4 weeks ago, and the next day my back was agony....it did only last a day though...

Back was fine after, is being bad again but thats cos period is due.. I think its a case of different people and different experiences...
I didnt personally want one as I think sticking a needle in your spine is a huge risk, but Id got to a point where with no alive baby to come out and the prospect of the immense contraction pain going on all night I needed the pain relief..needless to say she was delivered as soon as the anesthatist walked out the room..... so didnt work for its purpose anyway!!

Lianne

[Natt]

Hiya

I had an epidural - I needed a c-section and didnt want a general so had to have an epidural.

I cant say my back has been any different to be honest. I am still tender 2 1/2 weeks on where they did the epidural, but it hasnt affected my HMS at all.

Natt x

[sanguine_emma]

I've heard of epidurals to treat severe back pain, but I was under the impression that 'epidural' referred to the method of delivery rather than the actual drug itself. A colleague of mine once had an epidural injection for his sciatica, but it wasn't the same stuff (or the same effect - he could still walk!) as they use to block sensation during labour...

[tireesix]

The epidural I had didn't work first time so they had to redo it and I was in pain for weeks after BUT that could have been because I was forced to birth on my back.