Were you given any anti-anxiety meds prior to your c-section?

[nrvsmum2b]

I am terribly nervous about my c section in 2 weeks. I met with the anaesthetist and she told me that they give no anti-anxiety meds to calm the mother down prior to the c section (even though that option is offered in different countries!) She said when they administer the spinal, I will only get gas and air, but the spinal will contain some long lasting morphine for pain relief. My questions are:

Were you offered anti anxiety meds prior to your c- and what was it?

and

Did you find that the morphine in your spinal helped calm you during the procedure?

[nunnie]

It hasn't been mentioned to me yet but I haven't had my blood/consent appointment yet. I am very anxious but my anxities are related not to the section itself but to the spinal.
Did your anaethatist explain why they don't offer any?

I can't help on the spinal morphine thing either as there were complications with mine which meant I ended up having my EMCS under GA.

Hope someone who can be more helpful will come along soon.

[fruitybread]

I'm in the UK, and wasn't offered anything beforehand (apart from antacids) - I've not heard of anyone else having a planned C section being offered anything to manage anxiety. I can't think what it would be.

I did some yoga breathing and visualisation to relax myself before and during the op, and really couldn't tell you if anything I was given medically made me feel a certain way in terms of anxiety. I felt very relaxed and alert throughout the op, and was very happy to be so when they held my son up so I could see him for the first time!

FWIW, they give you a very small injection for local anaesthetic before putting the spinal in, so you don't feel it. I can honestly say I had blood tests which were more painful, and certainly injections at the dentists which were a LOT worse. And they had some trouble getting the needle in for my spinal, apparently, so it wasn't entirely straightforward.

I would imagine it's inevitable that opiate based painkillers like morphine have some sedative effect. I'd also guess that given you are already receiving a certain amount of drugs as part of your anaesthetic 'cocktail', they might be reluctant to add anything else to that.

[Imnotaslimjim]

I wasn't offered anything, and I was very distressed about the spinal. Took 15 mins to get the needle in because I was crying so hard. In the end he told me he would have one last attempt and if he didn't get it in it would have to be a general, so I had to compose myself as that thought scared me more!

Talk to the drs/nurses and tell them what you are afraid of, they we're really good with me, and to be honest, once that needles in its all systems go and you don't remember very much of it!

[QTPie]

Hi

I really second use of yoga breathing/relaxation/visualisation techniques during C Section - they do help!

I almost fainted whilst lying ON the table (sounds odd, but true!).... Told the anaesthetist and he adjusted the spinal/drip/oxygen/whatever and everything settled down. Not sure if it was nerves or just low blood pressure (my blood pressure had been about 90/60 throughout pregnancy).

What are you most worried about? The spinal? The actual op? Pain? We might be able to reassure you?

QT