Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/14/2008

Question
Hello Dr. Levy,

I'm pregnant with my third child (4 1/2 months along), my first child was born vaginal w/ the help of an epidural, 9yearsago, fine no problems. My second child was born by emergency c-section on Dec. 21, 2006, however I was initially pushing her out so the decision was last minute by my doctor. I was given 3 doses of an epidural in 2-day period. After she came out, during my recovery I noticed that my right side took much longer to come out of the anesthia than my left side, so much that to this day my right foot has not received it's 100% feeling, maybe it's at about 90%, my right foot is soooo sensitive. Especially if I'm getting a pedicure or something, I have to tell the lady to not scrub or rub that foot. I told my doctor this and he said that it was very rare, and the anesthiologist may want me to be asleep rather than receive the epidural this time. However, this also has it's complications with my recovery. I've never had any complications with any anesthia before or after my c-section. I'm very scared and nervous, what can happen to me Doctor?

Answer
Why would general anesthesia have complications with your recovery? My feeling is the anesthesiologist will not want to do an epidural (although he might do a spinal if it is an elective c-section), because he will not want to take the risk of worsening your current problem. There is no problem with general anesthesia in an otherwise health patient so there really is no reason to be nervous. Talk with your anesthesiologist, before you come to the hospital for your delivery, to discuss your options.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston