[blenheim]

I'm due to have my 3rd csect in the next couple of weeks. 1st csect was really good - under an epi following an 11 (ish) hour labour, 3.5 hours of pushing, epi after 2 hours pushing, failed ventouse. My block was very dense and I had no issues at all with DD's csect delivery.

2nd csect was an elective that technically became an emergency as I went into labour early. This time under a spinal (as you would expect). No issues having the spinal itself - however I had a fairly decent drop in BP, felt like I was falling, impending sense of doom, like I wanted to get up and run away, dizzy, nauseated etc. The anaesthetist was lovely however it was a truly revolting feeling that was still happening while my DS was actually delivered. I vaguely remember saying to my husband "help me, help me' over and over again. The awful thing is that I'm an RN so I knew that logically, I was ok but it just felt so awful, I couldn't help it.

I'm feeling the normal butterflies leading up to baby number 3s arrival - but I'm quite frightened of it happening again. Obviously, I'll discuss it with my OB, the surgeon (she was great) and the anaesthetist but I just wondered if anyone else experienced the same thing? Did you experience it in subsequent csects?

I want my baby here and safe but everytime I think of that feeling, I feel incredibly nervous and anxious.

This post has been edited by blenheim: 30/03/2013, 12:58 PM

[soontobegran]

I would just discuss it with your anaesthetist and have some prophylactic extra fluid on board. Try to stay on your side until you hit the operating table, this well help too.
The hypotension would be partly due to venous cava compression and the natural reduction in BP which comes from the epidural and I know the feeling...it is just awful.

Good luck for your next experience.

[RobotFerretOfDoo...]

OP I feel for you, I had exactly the same experience having DS. I felt like I needed to be sick, but couldn't do more than cough weakly because of the spinal block, then I started feeling like I was losing my grip on my body and floating away... it was terrifying, I had no idea what was happening and I thought I was going to die.

I, too, was very frightened of having the same experience with my c-section for DD. I spoke to the anaesthetist at length the day before my operation and told her what had happened. She explained what had caused it and what she could do to prevent it - as STBG said, she had a needle on hand to stabilise my BP. As soon as I started feeling nauseous, I told her, and she gave me a shot which stabilised my BP.

My two c-sections were completely different experiences - with DS I was traumatised for some days afterwards, while DD's I felt calm and in control, it was an incredibly positive birth.

Good luck with the birth. I'm sure you will be fine

[lifehacker]

I had the same thing twice. I felt like I was instantly about to vomit, felt like I was dying, couldn't speak and was trying to use my eyes to get dh's attention. The good thing is once dh realised and bent low so I could somehow get out "feel sick", they gave me a needle in the canula and I was instantly better.

The next time I spoke to my anaesthetist at the pre-op appt and he said he'd have stuff ready to go the next time, turned out it didn't happen that time. I might be getting confused with something else but I heard or read it happens when they lift they baby out, something about the sudden rush of blood in or out of the area/uterus

I also asked for my head to be raised a little for the next one as I had a terrible headache and it helped a lot. I also let them know how sick I was after and they added something to my drug cocktail which really helped. anaesthetist's are awesome and have lots of things they can use to combat issues, really important to have a good chat with them at the pre-op appt.

Goodluck, I hope it goes beautifully for you!

[CharliMarley]

This happens to me everytime I have operations under anaesthetic - my BP drops and they spend all night checking on it and I feel very nervous about it, but they don't give me anything in the way of medication. Perhaps next operation (if there ever is one) I should talk to the anaethetist about this fear.

[blenheim]

Thank you for all your lovely words - and you're right, it's such a horrible feeling. I didn't manage to have any fluid put up before my DS was born but I'm hoping that even if I go into labour earlier than my csect date (which, given my history is likely), I'll be able to have at least a litre onboard before they begin.

I just have to think that last time, I felt fine once they were stitching me up but it still felt like an eternity - logically, I know all the physiology behind it but it still doesn't help at the time. Thanks again, I appreciate the chance to get all those thoughts out of my head!

[lsolaBella]

I had no problems with my first two, but my third I had a bad case of he shakes and issues maintaining BP and temperature after the c/s. I spent a longer time in recovery, even under foil blankets with heaters blowing hot air on me.

[blenheim]

Just wanted to come back and update this thread - my csect went really well - the anaesthetist was excellent and gave me an albumin infusion (he also works at RWH in Melbourne) and has had great success with maintaining BP after a spinal.

I had no drop in BP and a really, really wonderful experience for the birth of my little baby girl.

[Peridot]

My first cesarean, an emergency one, my blood pressure dropped to 60/60, everyone was rushing around, the monitor went stupid beeping and carrying on, and they gave me medication to bring it back up.. I felt no ill effects from it though surprisingly!
My second one, it fell to around 65/55 and I felt like I was going to faint, and once I said that to DH, he fainted!! But they soon put something in my cannula and it went back up again!

[tibs]

Awesome update OP, congratulations