C-section and scared.

[Monty000]

Its 12.30am and anxiety has hit me again. 4th time in this pregnancy and I'm really becoming defeated with it all.

My c-section is in 5 days and I think its what is triggering it off. I can't sleep, heart pulpitation, nausea, the normal anxiety symptoms.

In Jan 2016, I had 2 laparoscopys (2nd was emergency from complications with the first) this is what triggered my anxiety and I have been battling health anxiety since. What was really bad is that I developed insomnia in hospital and didn't sleep for 4 straight days, it was awful and was extremely sick for 5 months with severe panic attacks and vomitting.

Im scared its going to be the same, Im worried my anxiety is going to ruin my experience and end up with insomnia and vomitting again like last time.

I think I just need some support, reassurance... something? Sorry for the rant

[Ginger782]

I had a csec in January and it was a wonderful birth experience! All of the staff were so calm, friendly and genuinely happy to be there. Remember, it's the biggest day of your life and seems immense and momentus and as a result you're mind runs wild with what could happen. On the contrary, for the medical staff, it's just a chill routine day - the surgery is a breeze for them and they will probably have a full day of varied operations or multiple csecs and then go home to their families at the end of the day.
Because my csec was planned I was well rested, my body wasn't tired or pained from labour and as a result it made physical recovery quite fast and easy.
With your anxiety building, DO NOT talk to people who have had a terrible experience (often those who had a difficult trial of labour that ended in an emergency csec). Their experience will be much different to a scheduled operation. Your mental recovery afterwards will have a lot to do with your approach going in. There are heaps of women who have had great experiences and hopefully some more will see your post and help reassure you

[Ginger782]

Oh, also discuss your insomnia and nausea worries with your OB and the anaesthetist - they can definitely help you manage both of those straight away! Be honest and forthcoming with them - don't hide your worries in the hope you can manage alone.

[OuchBollocks]

//Www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk Download the 'natal hypnotherapy for c section' track and listen to it over and over. Brilliantly calming, it helped me override my anxieties about my planned section and let me get some sleep, come the day it was amazing for helping me zone out through the parts I found stressful (like you I had had previous surgeries that left me feeling scared so it was the general 'medical-ness' I disliked.)

As it was the whole thing was very smooth and easy, I was sitting up breastfeeding DS within an hour of getting called into theatre, and recovery was far easier than when I had my gallbladder removed even though I had a broken ankle and couldn't mobilise.

Also, get peppermint capsules or peppermint tea to prevent trapped wind, lactulose to prevent constipation, and giant cheapy knickers that go to your belly button. Good luck and yay you're getting a gorgeous new baby :)

[DuggeeHugs]

I had a wonderful EMCS, bizarre as that sounds. The anaesthetist was great and as soon as I mentioned feeling a little nauseous he gave me some anti-emetics and I was fine for the duration.

Has your midwife/consultant been supportive thus far? Have you been able to discuss your anxieties with them?

Good luck - not long now and you'll finally be able to cuddle your little one

[Monty000]

Naw... thanks hun. This makes me feel better and you're right about bad experiences with others. Google is not my friend at all! Didn't sleep at all last night so I'm hoping to get some tonight and I have to think of the positives and not the 'what ifs'!

[Lunalovepud]

I had a fab c section - grade 2 due to PE so wasn't in labour and had 12 hours notice. Surgeons both met me the night before, chatty, reassuring and really set my mind at ease. Showed me DC as soon as he was born which was lovely. Anaesthetists lovely and talked me through everything, especially when DC was born and DH was with him - they moved the screen a little so I could see them both while he was being checked over. Recovery was fine - take all they drugs offered - there are no heroes on the labour and maternity wards! I was up and about within 24 hours and walking comfortably within 3 days. I only felt sick once and that was on the day of the op when the lovely oramorph was wearing off. A couple of anti - emetic tablets and I was fine within a few minutes.

I'm having another section this time and I'm not remotely worried about it so it couldn't have been that bad!

Good luck with everything.

[Lotsofqueries]

I am booked in for elcs in few days and so so frightened so I know how you feel. Even with lots of reassurance I'm still scared. It's the unknown I think. Just how much pain will I be in. How long will it take. When will I be up and about? So many questions and worries. You're not alone.

[Lemonnaise]

I know it's hard not to worry, I was the same but there's really no need. My elective c-section was so so calm and peaceful. The staff were absolutely amazing at calming my fears. I had a late stillbirth previously and was utterly convinced something terrible was going to happen.

Needless to say, it went like a dream. There was no pain at all just a tugging pulling sensation but not sore. It was over in about half an hour, up and about the next day for a shower. Good luck.