Worried about panic attack during c section

[Pyopill]

I'm having a planned c section in 3 weeks. I had an emergency with my first baby and I'd been in labour so long at that point I didn't care at all, I just wanted her out. This time I'm freaking out. All through pregnancy I've had tachycardia and bad shortness of breath from the third trimester (ECGs and chest x rays and lung scans normal) and it all gets worse when I panic which I do frequently. Meditation and hypnobirthing and focusing on breathing makes my anxiety worse, not better. When I lie flat on my back I feel like I can't breathe and I'm terrified of this happening during the section. I'm scared of sudden cardiac death because of my tachycardia and because I've not had an echo so worried something is wrong with my heart.

I am badly anaemic which is almost certainly exacerbating my symptoms. Booked in for an iron infusion on Thursday.

Anyone have any words of comfort?!

Would you consider electing for general anaesthetic? I did and it was the best decision for me.

No that terrifies me way more 😬

This book helped me enormously with Panic attacks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Help-Your-Nerves-overcoming-stress/dp/0722531559/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UZUV820I9PM6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WwOI5-_PAPzzLC4V1gdlJ-2OA3JRsKIhSWxngR0MO-JaaXceTCgEWR4FZA1cHEckwYWnWkXcBIUESWAKIBNrqvDRSJkKeaaphs2ZEvSVdgXalxWfBJWQaOzZsQG21Q15ARmRWj-iw0D5pWvQiBPl4Y3OAfiZu44ojWHpSmchu-SnFURpWgI58EA3b7H1_YdYP_cZ0axTw7ClOEjB0YjnNGT9ux_Mo4Aba2BcywOkh2c8kTD6C-4U9tuL6rqln0vIwoTiWeQxB4zFkUCk6zuIA8aMePTvVA3bQu5wYEkgSmw.XNJihm5kcFk-EVOsaTz0ykIUuWrIR6KEdn5omK5HpJ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=dr+claire+weekes&qid=1721114732&sprefix=Dr+cla%2Caps%2C684&sr=8-1

Have you had a pre op appointment with the anaesthetist yet? I found that really calming. They are generally amazing human beings who are experts at making you feel good during the c section. I was horrendously ill during pregnancy but honestly my section was such a positive experience due to the expertise and kindness of the anaesthetist. My advice would be talk to them and tell them how scared you are and why.

Not yet. I don't even have my final obstetrician appointment until 36+6 which feels extremely late to me!!

I remember that feeling too of it all happening so late. It will all work out though, and those last few appointments will really help.

I was anxious in pregnancy and really found that the difference in how seriously medical people take you the closer to birth you get changes dramatically. I could have done with more help earlier on but at least it does get better at the end!

I'm so sorry you're going through this, you must feel bloody awful!

I imagine a lot of what you're feeling is down to the anaemia which must be pretty bad if they are giving you the infusion (such a simple solution but they are so reticent to even offer it). Seriously low iron isn't just a 'meh' thing, it affects us so badly, every part of us even under normal circumstances - you're pregnant too!

However!! The good news is 3 weeks is the time it takes for your body to fully take on all the iron they are about to give you - perfect for your c-section.

That's not to say you won't start feeling better much sooner, many people do & even on the day they pump you full of saline so you're super hydrated too, it's rather nice. It also makes the birth much safer for you vs continuing to be anaemic. Really do not understand why this isn't routinely done (£££).

The combo of pregnancy & bad anemia really will do a number on you but I think this is an improvable / fixable problem & the timing should work out nicely.

Agree about speaking with the anaesthetist. I have a section in two days (!!) and had a video call with the anaesthetic consultant yesterday. She was kind and reassuring about the process and able to answer any concerns that I had.

I cannot tolerate oral iron at all and my ferritin is 5 and HB is 96 so I didn't have too much of a fight on my hands for the infusion luckily!

Your low iron will be making you feel anxious so you should feel better after that

can you focus on your lovely baby being with you at last? Yes the c section seems scary but they do hundreds every day and you will be ok. And then it will be over and you never need to do it again x

Probably the anaemia is the root cause. Get as much iron into yourself as you can via diet and hopefully the infusion will help.
They are very good in theatre at keeping you distracted and talking at c sections.
They are usually lovely calm and happy births.

Meditation may help.

They also have the option to put you under quite fast if you really do not appear to be coping.

I am sure you will feel better after the iron.

Ask to talk with the anaesthetist. Ask about sedation and whether this is appropriate.

Please do not worry about sudden cardiac death because of my tachycardia - I have a heart rhythm problem and the speed has been quite spectacular at times - but I am still here!

I suspect you have been on google far too much!

I had an elective 10 days ago, I was really worried about feeling claustrophobic with lots of people around me and a big screen at my chest but I just made sure everyone was aware of my feelings at all times and they were brilliant, made slight alterations to the screen and talked me through any feelings I was having. At one point I felt like I couldn't breath as I was starting to panic, I told the anaesthetist that I felt like I couldn't breath and they talked me through it, it passed really quickly and I was fine for the rest of the time I was in there.

I had a pillow for my head, that made me feel like I was just laying in bed rather than on an operating table, that might help a little, I don't know if you had that last time?

I haven't googled at all, it makes me more anxious. But I do worry my tachycardia hasn't been properly investigated.

I had a panic attack during my section and no one could have been kinder. They really looked after me and I was aware from having a previous emcs that the anaesthetist's job is basically to keep you alive and well, they're right by your head and talk to you the whole time. So I just kept repeating that to myself, and listened to the radio to focus on something else.

Your body will be absolutely flooded with adrenaline during the op OP, and you will get through it. Honestly I have severe anxiety and both of my c sections went well. Yes I was nervous beforehand, but the procedures went smoothly and I was just so happy to meet my babies that I forgot I was wide open on an operating table 😂

They will be monitoring your heart anyway so that you really don’t need to worry about - you’re surrounded by experts keeping you safe.

Oral iqron & diet changes will do bugger all for you at those levels, the infusion should do wonders for you. I found the tablets gave me chronic pain along with the vile poo.

The infusion process was really calm, the nurses at mine are used to dealing with patients in dire health beyond just anaemia, so they were super lovely & gentle mannered. The whole process doesn't take long at all & you just sit & chill. Take it extra easy for a few days after, you might feel weird but not everyone does.

Didn't take long for my heart rate to sort itself out & my anxiety to come down to normal levels of abnormal ;) by that 3 weeks I was thinking clearly again, less confused etc etc

Best of luck to you! Not long till you'll just have a new baby to focus on & this part will all be done with

I've had quite a few procedures in my life including two c sections. The minute you start to get panicky the anaesthetist will get some calming meds into you one way or another.

I didnt think they would do that during a c section due to not wanting to pass any anti anxiety meds on to the baby?

Oh I feel for you I was so anxious about my second (elective, first emergency) section too. I think I also expected the lovely experience I'd heard about but still just felt so scared! Things that helped were just handing myself over to the staff and knowing that they were monitoring me and that they were looking after my body. The anaesthetist and midwife were amazing and really looked after me. They had cool wet cloths for my forehead which were amazing and helped loads so ask for that! I also didn't want I hold baby until I was in recovery and even though I think they thought I was a bit weird I stuck to my guns and just enjoyed watched my partner hold him. You'll get through this I'm sure the iron infusion will help too. Pregnancy is so hard!

I use vagus nerve reset breathing to manage anxiety and panic attacks. It sounds like a load of woo, but it isn't - the vagus nerve switches off the fight or flight reaction. Practice every day when you remember (like doing Kegels) and especially when you are already feeling calm so you associate it with feeling calm;
Breath in through your nose for a count of three.
Hold for a count of three.
Breath out through your mouth for a count of three.
Hold for a count of three.
Repeat and count to four.

It will also give your mind something to focus on.

I've tried this and all it does is make me feel really panicky 🤣

Hey 👋 how did it all go? Im in your exact position now. I worry so much about me having tachycardia and I also have to have a planned c section.