Anaesthetic Questions
Will my spinal always work straight away?
Sometimes spinals can be difficult to place. Your anaesthetist should talk to you about this, and sometimes it might be best to have another anaesthetist try. Occasionally you might choose to go off to sleep instead of trying again. Other times, it might not be safe to take the time to try again (because your baby is in danger) and so a GA is better.
What is the difference between a spinal and an epidural?
They both work to make you numb. A spinal is placed as a once off slightly further into your back (the intrathecal space). It works quickly and wears off in about 6 hours. An epidural involves the placement of a catheter between dural layers in your back. It can be topped up, and stay in for several hours (or days).
Will I get a room to myself afterwards?
This differs hugely throughout New Zealand. Generally speaking it's best to assume you'll be sharing.
Intraoperative Questions
Why is the bed tilted?
To help keep baby off the blood vessels in your abdomen, which helps keep you both comfortable. It won't always be tilted in every operation. If you feel uncomfortable, dizzy or short of breath when you lie flat please let your Anaesthetist know right away!
What will I be able to feel?
You'll be able to feel some touching, pushing and pressure. Sometimes (especially right before your baby is born) this could be quite uncomfortable.
You won't be able to feel any pain or temperature.
Why is there a blue sheet?
The sterile drape is there to help protect you from infection. It also provides a barrier so that you and your support person don't need to watch the operation. You can talk to your Anaesthetist and Obstetrician if you are worried about the drape (some people find it claustrophobic) or if you or your support person want to see baby being born.
Postoperative Questions
Will I still bleed vaginally after a caesarean?
Yes! You will have some vaginal bleeding (called lochia) for 2 to 6 weeks after a
c-section. This is normal and natural. It mainly comes from where the placenta was attached to your uterus.
I've heard my milk will take longer to come in properly after a section
There does seem to be some correlation between caesarean birth and a delay or difficulty in establishing breastfeeding. Why this is we don't know.
But we do know that early skin to skin, and attempting to breastfeed within 1 hour of baby's birth are associated with good breastfeeding establishment. Regular skin to skin, keeping hydrated (but not too much IV fluid) and having baby near to you are all good things for helping breastfeeding. It's also a good idea to feed on demand, and ask for help whenever you need it (hospital staff are there to help you!). There may be some benefit in hand expressing after each feed, until your milk is fully in.
We talked to New Zealand parents to find out what things they wish they knew before having their Caesarean Section.
Here's what they wanted to know
Real statements from Kiwi parents
"I really wish someone had told me that I could have a say in how my Caesarean section was done when I had my daughter. That there could be little changes to make skin to skin easier. That my partner could watch her being born. That we could play music that we liked, and even use a Pounamu cord tie. I really wish I knew that, because she came out happy and crying, she could've been put straight on me for skin to skin and had her checks done later.
I wish I'd known more to advocate for my family more".
This page is run by Dr Morgan Edwards BSC (Hons), MBBS, FANZCA, PGDipSci
Obstetric Anaesthetist
New Zealand Views are my own
Every effort has been made to ensure the information on this page is accurate and up to date. However there is no substitute for individualised medical advice, so please speak to your Midwife, Obstetrician, Anaesthetist or GP if you have any further questions
Elective Sections
Emergency Sections
FAQs
Further Information
