Anesthesiologist present for entire duration of c-section?

Anonymous
I'm a veteran of c-sections but I can't remember if the anesthesiologist is present during the entire c-section or if he/she administers the spinal and then leaves. My c-sections have been done in the past for medical reasons. The only problem I had with my last c-section was uncomfortable itching all over my face. I know the risks increase with each c-section too. Does anyone know if the anesthesiologist stays in the room for the entire time?
Anonymous
The anesthesiologist is there the ENTIRE time, standing at your head. He/she will be there until they wheel you out of the room. If you don't feel that you're ready to leave the room yet (feel light-headed, nauseated, etc) let them know. THey will make sure you are OK before they leave your side.

Anonymous
Had 2 C-sections and anesthesiologist was present the entire time until you leave for recovery.

Itching is a side effect of durable morphine (pain relief) they administer. Tell your nurses and they can give you an antihistamine to relieve the itching.
Anonymous
Ditto the PP. During my c-section the anesthesiologist was there the entire time, sitting by my head. I had a reaction to the morphine (severe shaking) and he gave me something to combat it. It didn't work, which in the grand scheme of things didn't matter, but if I have another c-section in the future I will be sure to mention it to the anesth. then. It sounds like you will be having a scheduled c-s, in that case you will have plenty of time to talk to the anesthesiologist before the surgery and mention your concerns. I wouldn't think they would be allowed to leave during surgery but again you can discuss it with the dr.

Good luck.
Anonymous
Doesn't leave your side. He was at my head the entire time-he and dh had conversations.
Anonymous
Shaking isn't necessarily a result of morphine. I also had horrible shaking for both of my labors, but it started before I even had an epidural.

During my c-section the shaking was so bad that they couldn't get a blood pressure read from the cuff, which made the cuff stay in perma-tight mode. It left bruises, but that's minor.

The anesthesiologist is not allowed to leave during surgery. Their job is to keep the patient alive and well. If you are at a teaching hospital, the attending may leave you with a resident (who is still a doctor training in anesthesiology) but you will always have someone there paying attention to you, not the baby.
Anonymous
10:55 PP here. In my case, the shaking was due to morphine (at least according to the anesthesiologist, he also said it was not an uncommon reaction). I had had the epidural in for about 12 hours before the surgery (long labor and emergency c/s) and the shaking didn't start until the morphine.
Anonymous
You got your answer, but I have a funny story... when I went in for my (unplanned) c-section, I was exhausted, freaked out, and not terribly rational. (I thought that the tugging I felt meant that soon, I was going to feel something much worse.) My husband was in the same boat, and when the anesthesiologist asked him "how are you doing", DH kind of yelled at him. Something along the lines of "I'd be doing a lot better if you would do your job!" (Cause he thought I was in pain.) Anyway, as we were leaving the OR with the baby, DH apologized for it. And the poor guy said "it's ok... I get yelled at a lot."
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