Having a cesarean birth (i.e. c-section) under general anesthesia means you’ll be completely asleep during your baby’s birth. While this may not have been your original plan, you can still have a meaningful birth journey. This guide will help you understand what to expect, how to prepare, and ways to ease your recovery.
Why General Anesthesia May Be Necessary
In most cesarean births, spinal or epidural anesthesia is used so that you can be awake. However, in certain situations, general anesthesia is needed. This could be due to an emergency where there isn’t time for a spinal block, medical conditions that make regional anesthesia unsafe, or previous surgical considerations.
General anesthesia is a type of anesthesia that puts you into a deep sleep, making you completely unaware of pain during surgery. It can be administered through an IV or inhaled through a breathing mask or tube. Under general anesthesia, you won’t feel, hear, or see anything during the procedure.
While it’s totally normal to feel upset about not being awake for your baby’s birth, remember that you are doing everything in your power to give your baby a safe start—and there is something so beautiful about that.
Preparing for a Cesarean Birth with General Anesthesia
This is the birth of your baby and of yourself as the mother of this baby. You can take some simple steps to make the journey feel meaningful and positive. (Of course, it IS meaningful, whether or not you take these steps, but it can be helpful to make your experience more intentional.)
Before Surgery:
- You’ll receive an IV for fluids and medications.
- The anesthesiologist will explain the process and ensure you’re ready.
- Your support person usually will not be allowed in the operating room, as most hospitals have policies against this. They will wait nearby to meet your baby as soon as possible.
Sending Good Vibes to Your Baby
As you’re being taken to the OR, you can still create a positive, loving space for your baby’s arrival. Try:
- Talking to your baby – Let them hear your voice, telling them you love them and are excited to meet them soon. Or, you can talk to them silently in your head – they’ll feel these loving vibes!
- Using mindfulness breathing – Deep, slow breaths can calm your nervous system and send oxygen-rich blood to your baby. Try the affirmation:
“I breathe in love for my body and my baby. I breathe out fear and tension.” - Holding onto a comforting thought – Picture your first cuddle, your baby’s tiny fingers in yours, or a moment you’re looking forward to after birth.
If your cesarean birth is planned, you’ll likely spend some time in Labor & Delivery before surgery. Use this time to:
- Connect with your partner.
- Listen to music that makes you feel calm and centered.
- Do things that usually bring you joy and comfort, like reading a favorite passage or holding a special object.
What to Expect: General Anesthesia Cesarean Birth
During Surgery:
- Once you’re in the OR, you’ll receive oxygen, and anesthesia will be administered through an IV, causing you to fall asleep quickly.
- Your baby will be delivered within minutes of the procedure beginning.
- The surgical team will care for you and your baby while your support person waits to meet them.
Immediately After Birth:
- Your baby will be checked by medical staff and, if possible, brought to your partner for skin-to-skin contact.
- You will wake up in the recovery room, feeling groggy and possibly disoriented.
- You may experience chills, nausea, or a sore throat from the breathing tube—these are temporary.
- Your partner and doula (if you have one) can be there to support you and introduce you to your baby.
How to Advocate for a Supportive Experience
Even with general anesthesia, you can plan for meaningful moments after birth. Consider asking for:
- Your partner and doula to be in the recovery room when you wake up.
- Your baby to be brought to your partner immediately, if possible.
- Your doula can take a video of their first meeting so you can cherish those first moments.
- Your partner to do skin-to-skin contact with the baby to help with bonding and regulation.
- Your doula to assist you in the early recovery period, helping you manage pain, stay comfortable, and breastfeed your baby.
Coping with Missing the Birth Moment
It’s completely normal to feel sadness, disappointment, or even grief over not being awake for your baby’s birth. Your feelings are valid, and you can hold space for both gratitude and sadness at the same time.
Try these affirmations to help process your emotions:
- “I can feel more than one thing at once. All my feelings are valid.”
- “My body is healing, and I am strong.”
One way to cope is by intentionally planning special first moments and traditions to create meaningful memories. Consider:
- Singing a lullaby your parents sang to you as your baby’s first song.
- Wrapping your baby in a special blanket.
- Taking a walk together through your favorite place once you’re able.
- Writing your baby a letter about their birth and your love for them.
There are countless firsts ahead—moments that are just as powerful as the birth itself.
Sharing your story can also help. Whether it’s with your doula, a trusted friend, or in a journal, processing your birth experience through words can be healing.
Recovery Tips After a General Anesthesia Cesarean Birth
Pain & Incision Care
✔️ Take pain medication on schedule—don’t wait until pain gets worse.
✔️ Use a pillow for support when coughing, laughing, or getting up.
✔️ Wear loose, high-waisted clothing that won’t rub against your incision.
✔️ Keep the incision clean and dry—watch for redness or unusual discharge.
Rest & Emotional Recovery
✔️ Give yourself time to process the birth experience. It’s okay to have mixed emotions.
✔️ Talk with your partner about the birth details you missed.
✔️ Skin-to-skin and gentle bonding activities can help strengthen your connection with your baby.
✔️ Be patient with your body—cesarean birth healing typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Movement & Healing
✔️ Take short walks to prevent blood clots and improve circulation.
✔️ Avoid heavy lifting (nothing heavier than your baby) for at least 6 weeks.
✔️ Use a step stool or support when getting in and out of bed.
Nutrition & Hydration
✔️ Drink plenty of water—this helps with healing and prevents constipation.
✔️ Eat fiber-rich foods or take a stool softener to avoid straining.
✔️ Focus on protein and iron-rich foods to promote tissue repair.
Final Thoughts
Your baby was born from the sacred portal that is your womb. From that first skin-to-skin time while you’re still in pain and/or groggy, to the many nurturing, loving, life-giving moments you give your baby while you’re still recovering from a major surgery, you are incredibly strong and powerful.
There is so much beauty in the choices you’ve made to keep your baby safe and in the way you nurture them afterward.