Cannula

Oh no! I’m so sorry. In case it helps- I’m bad with needles and was terrified about the cannula. I told the anaesthetist and he gave me a tiny injection of local anaesthetic into my hand and then put the cannula in. I didn’t feel the cannula going at all and it went in really smoothly! Also anaesthetists are really good at putting them in as they do it all the time

I actually think the cannula might be the worst bit in terms of the needles involved! My section was on weds, the cannula was put in by a student and she was lovely but my gosh it was sore. It then didn’t work in theatre so the panicked anaesthetist had to jam another one in the other hand really quickly 🤣 i promise the bit in your back is way better x

I had operations as a child and had numbing cream, I asked for it before my section and got it so you could always ask for this too? Hopefully your hospital will have it/allow it x

@Alice I'm going to bare this in mind and ask nicely for some anaesthetic first because I'm absolutely terrified about it now because of today! Xx

@Rachel oh no, why are they so horrible! Lol. My midwife was saying she hates having to do cannula and now i know why! I think I'd refuse a student now and just request the anaesthetist to do it because I've actually got anxiety over it now. Hope your recovery is going well? Xx

@Jessica oo I will definitely ask! Surely they have cream or anaesthetic to pop on/in first! Xx

I did find the cannula the worst bit of the whole c section! Although the anaesthetist was better than the midwife, I was already bruised and sore by the time she came in to do it as the midwife had mqde three attempts.

@Rebecca 🫣 you'd think it would be smoother wouldn't you! X

That's not your fault though she did that, you can handle it, cannulars aren't pleasant but fast, you'll be okay. Sounds awful that, I had a nurse try several times and give up and I was like right I'll see someone else. Bruised sore swollen hand and arms.

Yeah, tell them that you’ve had a bad experience and see if you can get a bit of local anaesthetic/numbing cream. It was genuinely the bit I was most worried about and then I didn’t feel a thing! Best of luck for your csection x

The cannula is only the worst part, I got them to use freeze spray and give me a local anaesthetic before doing it which helped! But they also struggled to cannulate me and ended up trying 5 times 🤪 ended up having to do it under ultrasound guidance but according to the midwife this is a rarity

I had a c section too and the cannula was THE WORST PART of the whole process

Incog apparently I have bubbly veins which makes it harder! X

Can ask for local anaesthetic cream or freeze spray it helps. Being hydrated also helps. The cannula is the worst part I promise the one on your back is not bad at all.

During my c-section the anaesthetist tried putting it twice in my left palm and arm, the one on the palm went quite badly and I ended up with a huge bruise, so I was almost ready to get up from the table and walk away 😂 In the end asked to avoid my right palm and go straight for the vein in the right arm, and thankfully it worked But all I remember during the surgery is how my left palm was hurting really badly and being swollen. Silver lining - I didn't feel any pain from the spinal or the surgery itself while it was being done.

Hey! I had a C-section in February and I can honestly say the worst bit of the whole C-section was the cannula, which you’ve already had, so take some comfort in knowing that you’ve already experienced the worst part, it’s the first bit they do so you get it out the way nice and quick!! Good luck and don’t worry xx