ELCS tomorrow. Nerves are taking over.

[Scoy]

I have a 3 (almost 4 year old) and she was born by planner C Sevtion as she was breeech. It all went very smooth however I remember being so terrified. Here I am again - booked in tomorrow for another planned section this time as boy is measuring giant. And I am emotional Betty here. Terrified I’ll die. (Understand how irrational I am being) dreading leaving my girl in the morning. Can’t see past the actual surgery. My Husband is great but isn’t actual the best source of comfort. To be in at 7.30am but won’t find out what time I will be taken until surgeon comes in at 9am. With my daughter I had to go last as I was only one (out of 3 of us) not crying.

I’m scared of

1. The spinal. This still freaks me out - what if it hurts - what if I’m paralysed - what if it doesn’t work. (Was absolutely totally fine last time don’t think I felt anything other than like a numbness washing over me)
   
2. That first cut. What if I feel it. What if I’m concentrating so much on feeling it that I do?
   
3. That dreaded ‘tugging’ everyone talks about as baby is born. (100% didn’t feel that with daughter)
   
4. Is my baby going to be ok?! 10 fingers, 10 toes etc.
   
5. Getting sewn back up.
   

If I get passed those 5 things tomorrow I think I will be high on life just for surviving.

Anyone got any words of wisdom to calm me down 😢😢😢😢

[AppleKatie]

Breathe. You’ve done it before and you’ll do it again.

Remember this is an exceptional and scary experience for you- but it isn’t for the medical team who do this several times a day. They will do it all you just have to lay there and then meet your baby!

And just think- this time tomorrow you won’t be pregnant anymore! That’s worth a lot.

[Mamabear88]

Oh bless you. You'll be fine. Even though it's major surgery, it is routine and they are used to doing numerous day after day so you're in good hands!

I had an emergency c-section with my DD (she was 9lb 7oz so I don't think having a big baby this time makes a difference in any way) and I too was terrified but honestly will opt for a planned c section if we ever have another. I was so relieved to get the spinal and not be in pain anymore and I didn't feel it or any tugging when baby came out. You won't feel them cutting you, they won't until they're 100% sure you're completely numb.

Deep breaths and just focus on meeting your new baba. Once he's here you won't be thinking about them stitching you up trust me. Congratulations in advance :) xxx

[Scoy]

Oh @AppleKatie & @mammabear88 thank you. These replies are the kind of attitudes u need surrounded by today. You are totally right - I am so ready to not be pregnant. Even being absolutely floored with exhaustion would be better than this. Everything hurts. The heartburn and acid reflux is killing me. I’m huge and all swollen. Quite miserable frankly. But just a big scaredy cat 😂

They have said I will definitely have had my baby by 1pm so 20 hours to go. Xxx

[theseriousmoonlight]

I remember feeling the same before my planned c section almost 2 years ago. The anaesthetist was so calm and lovely (in fact, every anaesthetist I've met has been lovely and calm) and everyone was so professional that I felt well taken care of. I remember feeling cold more than anything and shivering but that was the anaesthetic and then the actual procedure felt like someone was doing the washing up in my tummy!

Focus on the end result: meeting your beautiful baby for the first time. This time tomorrow they will be in your arms!

Good luck

[TwoKidsStillStanding]

I was terrified too. To the extent that I got not one but two tours of the theatre area, although not enough to get me bumped to first on the list. (Though did hear the midwife quietly instructing DP on who to go and get if I started panicking and he couldn’t calm me down...)

You know what? It was ok. I mean, I’m definitely not doing it again but the staff were fantastic (I recommend making it clear how terrified you are), and really made it clear what to expect, which helped a lot.

I panicked that the spinal hadn’t worked so they took extra time to reassure me and show me that it had, and I certainly never felt an incision or stitching. I must be honest, I did feel pushing and pressure, but I knew to expect that. The only “bad” bit was my blood pressure dropping, but they can give you drugs for that.

Can you focus on nice bits? Can you take your own music? Photos in theatre? Would you like to try to have skin to skin with baby? What snacks will you take for afterwards?

[maa1992]

The spinal will be fine, it's incredibly rare that anything will go wrong. You'll have your husband there, supporting and holding your hand throughout.

They used the freeze spray on me and kept checking how I was feeling the entire time.

With the first cut, you won't feel it, I personally didn't feel any tugging at all and my boy was measuring huge (born early at 10lb 1oz) they had to use forceps and I still didn't feel a thing!! I didn't really feel anything really!

You're going to be fine, you will be looked after and you will have your gorgeous baby with you within an hour of being in the surgery.

Good luck xxx

[Crabbitstick]

Had a planned section after an emergency one first time round.
Should have been taken in the morning but it was later in day due to an emergency with a different patient (which ended well for mum and baby).
Everyone was so lovely and professional. Even though I did feel nervous they were so calm and in control. Communication was brilliant. Due to something unique to me things took slightly longer than anticipated but everyone was brilliant.
I felt a bit wobbly at spinal but they quickly got me on my side and a lovely nurse gave me a ice cube lolly - after nil by mouth for hours it was amazing!
I felt so cared for and then got to meet my lovely second son 🥰
Of course surgery is daunting and scary but please believe you will be looked after well. Be honest about your fears and you can get support as you need. Take something to keep you busy while you wait -book,crossword etc . Keep saying to yourself, I can do this, I’ll meet my baby soon.
Good luck!

[DinoMamasaurus]

You’ll be great! Waiting is the worst bit. Once you are in, baby will be there before you know it. I had an EMCS first time and was amazed how quick it was. Longest part was sticking up after but baby was here and I was holding him so didn’t really bother me.

I was booked for an ELCS for my second but on the morning I was booked to go in. I woke up early in very full on labour and had a surprise VBAC. Probably not a helpful story but of ALL of the many things I thought about that never occurred to me!

[megletthesecond]

I was just as wound up before my planned section over a decade ago. First dc was an emergency so the planned side of things was weird.

Remember the theatre staff will have done hundreds of sections between them. In a good way it'll be another day at the office for them. You've had all your pre-op checks and they don't have to rush the procedure.

You'll be fine. Even though you're anxious this evening before you know it you'll be holding your newborn .

[theseriousmoonlight]

Good luck for today @Scoy! Hope everything goes smoothly. Enjoy the newborn snuggles.

[Scoy]

Everybody thank you all so much. You are all so kind and I wish I could bring you all with me to keep repeating all of the above lol!

I am in the recovery room now and have just been told I will be last today. Queue lots of tears. The surgeon and anesthetiser did not have the nicest bedside manner so this has only added to my anxiety. Thankfully midwife is amazing she is very reassuring. Husband is a man of few words so now I’m regretting bringing him. Send help! Xxx

[TwoKidsStillStanding]

Oh no, more time to hang around! It will be ok but likely to be a long morning.

My surgeon was great - there was lots of “I have to tell you of this risk but I’ve been doing c sections for ten years and X has never happened”. The anaesthetist wasn’t the best in terms of dealing with someone who was terrified but the midwife really helped to put it into perspective - it is incredibly rare for anything to go wrong in an elective situation.

Right, let’s distract you. Have you thought of any names yet? Did you have to buy new newborn clothes? Do you have a going home outfit? Who’s looking after your DD?

[DinoMamasaurus]

Ok so they are obvs saving the best til last! Hang in there only a weeny bit more waiting now compared to all the waiting you’ve done already.

I had similar from the surgeon and anesthetist at the meetings pre my elective. Goodness me. I almost wanted to ask them if they’d ever spoken to human beings before! Anyway ignore anyone who is not nice.

Just breathe. Have you got a magazine or anything to flick through? (Could be a job for Hubby if he’s still not being the great company!)

Nearly time to meet the best company ever - your brand new baby!

[LillianFullStop]

Hope went well today OP!

[stophuggingme]

Hope everything went well and you’re both ok

[AppleKatie]

Thinking of you OP!

[theseriousmoonlight]

Just wondering how you are OP.

[Scoy]

Everyone thank you all so much. You really did help me! My beautiful baby boy is here. He was born at 11.51. He was a gigantic 9 pounds 5 ounces!!!!

Went into the room - got prepped for spinal. The surgeon put the needle (I cannot remember the name) in my hand - he was rubbish at this and it was very painful! Then the super lovely midwife tried to calm me down and told the anaesthetic I was petrified. No comforting words. All I seem to remember was struggling to control my panicky breathing and him saying quite a few times you’re going to feel pressure now, this might sting, sharp scratch here. So I think maybe it took him a few tries. I felt it but I couldn’t say it was sore! They then lay me back and throughout the surgery he ended up being one of the loveliest friendliest ones!!!

Absolutely felt and the tugging and pulling this time. Not one ounce of pain but it was frightening. Baby boy was stuck in the end and needed pulled out with forceps. The staff telling me over and over that I would feel a lot of pressure was unnerving for me but I suppose that’s probably the best way to do it.

Well when he came out and started to cry it really truly was the best feeling in the world. And sitting looking at him in my husbands arms really helped me.

I am exhausted after all the nerves but my god I am a total high that my little family has expanded and more importantly my boy is healthy!

I have amazing midwives on the ward tonight and they have even taken him away for me just now to feed him and change him so I can sleep - how kind?!!!

The pain is starting to increase but I am due pain relief in 25 mins. The bleeding I don’t remember having been so bad last time. I literally move and I can feel it pouring it 😬😬 but all in all it was a positive experience and I am very very lucky.

To all of you who took the time to reply thank you so much it really does make a difference!! 😘😘

[Haggisfish]

Oh congratulations op.

[maa1992]

Congratulations!!!

[megletthesecond]

Congrats. Pleased it went smoothly.

[theseriousmoonlight]

Congratulations! Hope you managed to get some sleep!