C-Section Worries!

[I_love_my_rep]

So My pregnancy has been totally crazy the whole time. At one point I was due March 29th, 24th, 18th 13th and February 28th. Last week I went in for a check up and he said I was 34-35 weeks but I was measuring 37 weeks. I know this is sometimes normal to measure big. So he said from now on I will be goin once a week. Yesterday when I went it He said okay so you are 34-35 weeks and I was like um.. thats what you said last week. He said oooh yea thats right I did some research and you are due march 18th. I am very relieved now because it was very frustrating not to know an about date at all. I know that its never a positive due date but i had 5 due dates. . NOW about this C-section that is scheduled for March 19th.... Some of you may know from previous post by me that I have titanium rods that are attached to my spine (one on each side held by 11 screws on each side - 22 screws) from the bottom of my neck to the top of my hips. All the way down my spine. My doctor said he doesn't think it would be a good idea to have me push because I cannot bend my back to curl up and push. I was really worried that If i did try to push that the baby would get stuck if I couldn't bend to push enough and that would cause problems. So I decided to just do a C-section to be safe. BUT now the doctor is saying he doesn't think I can have an epidural or Spinal block because they wouldn't know where to put the needle to miss the rods or the scar tissue that has built up. This really makes me worry because that means it will have to be general anesthesia. I am really upset because this is my first baby and I really wanted to be awake to hear him cry and see him and see the look on daddy's face! It makes me cry every time I think about it (as if i'm not emotional already)!! My hubby says that he is going to video tape everything but who will video him and the look on his face? I wanted to be the 1st to hold him but I won't. Does anyone know how I can relax and give me some advice or just some confidence that it will be okay? Help!!! How does anyone cope with knowing that they will miss out on SOO Much having a baby this way!?

Ps. by the way... My doctor did say "well maybe next time you should think about having more kids, ya know being an only child is not so bad."  HOW RUDE!

[Heather3418]

I would try to get the opinion of a spine surgeon to see if an epidural could be done, despite all the hardware you have in there.  Possibly the doctor that did your original surgery?  

I feel sure that an experienced anesthesiologist could find the spinal space easily.  I wouldn't give into to a general anesthetic until I was sure that there was no other way.

Hope your spine surgeon can give you the answers you seek.

Best Wishes,
Heather

[I_love_my_rep]

Thanks everyone! I am going to try to convince him to just TRY anything else before the GA. IF the spinal block doesn't take then I would understand better! I have also heard that under GA no one is allowed in the operating room. Ovaz-very good idea! I am going to ask if maybe they would let my mom in to video tape!

I have been trying to keep a positive attitude by thinking "It will be okay because at least the baby will be okay and I can spend all the time I want with him once I wake up! The rest of our lives!"

[ovaz129]

Awww... I am sorry!  You know, I would find out more info from the anethesiologist himself, rather than your OB.  The anethesiologist will be able to give you more information since that is his/her job exclusively.  And, yes... your OB does sound like an interesting fellow... my goodness!  Just ignore his comment about the "only child" thing... that was incredibly insensitive!

I am not too sure if they would make an exception, but I am wondering if they would allow you to have an additional family member in the OR to film your husband, baby, and you (although you will be "sleeping" at least someone could catch those 1t moments together for you).  I would just try and remember, that this is all for the good of your baby... and the good news is... your little one won't remember how he/she was born, only that he/she loves you!

[empty1]

I disagree , this is my first so no experience . I know when you have a c-section they have to give you a  spinal block to numb you .so if you can't have that then they have to put you under , because you would feel everything they were doing ...right ? I know that if must be upsetting i would be too but in the end as long as the baby comes out and everything is good that is all that matters .

[AmyC311]

Yeah your dr sounds like an interesting character...I probably wouldn't go to him again!

you don't HAVE to be under for your c-section. If you were in labor and having a vaginal birth and you had an epidural and then something went wrong where they had to rush you to get a c-section they would just give you a bit more pain numbing stuff and then you would be awake during the process. I think you should ask your dr about your options. You won't feel anything even if you are technically awake because of all the drugs so you should check it out.

[Jem75]

i am due Mar 19 too! It's my first - so I can not speak from experience - but aren't you awake during a c-section? That is what I was told - but at the end of the day however that baby gets out keeping you healthy and the baby - that is the most important thing. Hang in there!