Will a patient be effectively anesthetized during a C-section?

Question

Hello doctor,

Can I ask you, what would you do if someone felt pain during a C-section? Would you not immediately put the person under general anesthesia? As a pregnant woman, I am mortified by an article that I read online. After reading the article, I want to terminate my pregnancy. I have read other stories like this as well. What concerns me is the anesthesiologist asked the patient to wait until the baby was out. Taking the baby out is the worst part. I cannot imagine tearing open the peritoneum. Even if there is a risk to the baby, I want to be put out immediately. How can someone expect a woman to wait through such unbelievable pain? Maybe some can do it, but I know I cannot. Would I have the option of being put under general anesthesia immediately? I am so scared. Can I write it in a contract form with a lawyer that I do not agree to surgery without a proper anesthetic to protect myself? Or is this bad practice on behalf of that anesthesiologist? I would like to know. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

1. General anesthesia is not recommended for a cesarean section as it can cause uterine atone and neonatal respiratory depression.

2. The article says that she was given a top-up over the previously applied epidural anesthesia before cesarean section. Ideally, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia is given in such cases.

3. Cesarean section elective is safely done under spinal anesthesia.

4. Before any surgery, you are made to sign a consent form for the surgery, so it serves as a legal document for the hospital.