To be a little bit terrified?

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I'm booked in for a ELCS in a couple of weeks due to breech awkward baby and I'm totally freaking out.

I'd planned to have a water birth, been to hypnobirthing and pregnancy yoga and was really hoping for a natural birth. I know that these things don't always go to plan In fact I'm a bit of a fatalist so assumed that it wouldn't go to plan anyway but I can't help but feel disappointment about the natural birth I'll be missing.

I'm also completely terrified... I've never even had a filling or broken a bone so the thought of a medical procedure is really scaring me. I felt sick when the words catheter and cannula were mentioned! I'm also worried about breastfeeding as I know it can be harder after a section and I'm clinging on to that as it's the one part of the process I still feel a little bit in control of!

Sorry if this is waffling... Feel like a big mixed bag of emotions right now

I had a section with my twins - although it wasn't planned.

I'd never spent a night in hospital before let alone have a major operation.

However:

It wasn't scary
The staff were wonderful
I couldn't feel a thing
It was very sore afterwards but not unmanageable.

Re breastfeeding. It can take longer for your milk to come in but I managed to keep my twins healthy on colostrum until milk turned up at day 6.

One of mine found the colostrum too tiring to get at and so I expressed (just for that baby) for a week while still offering the Brest each feed. As soon as my milk came in she was off like a rocket, and fed no bother after that.

All will be well.

Make sure someone else is doing the housework for six weeks and stock up on paracetamol.

BUY BIG PANTS!!!

Under the bump pants are no good post section get nice big over the bump ones, they won't hurt your scar.

I had an elcs 9 weeks ago because of breech baby. It was very calm. I even felt relatively calm when they had to whisk her away as she didn't breathe straight away. I used some yoga breathing to keep me calm, so it's not like your time has been wasted! If you're worried about breast feeding then you could always express some colostrum to take with you. My milk came in fine but my baby didn't gain enough weight so we supplement with two bottles of formula.

I had an elcs too and as others have said it was a surreal experience. Everyone looked after me beautifully. I was pretty wiped out for a couple of weeks afterwards - mainly due to sleep deprivation as I'd had a stay in hospital beforehand. But is was fine. Like you I had initially wanted to be as natural as possible - but it just wasn't to be. I also had a real fear of hospitals - I don't anymore though! Good luck.

I had a ELCS 6 weeks ago and it was my perfect birth Calm, comfortable, pain free and relaxed. Was sore for the next 2 days (staff will manage your pain relief, do remind them!) but after that just a bit wobbly on my feet.

No problems breastfeeding at all (other than a jealous 4 year old ).

I was waaaay more traumatised when I had a tooth taken out. But that's just me.

You'll be fine OP. good luck!