Facing My 3rd C-Section in 27 Months – Feeling Terrified, Any Advice?

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I’m scheduled for my third c-section next week—this will actually be my third within 27 months (I know, crazy!). Thankfully, I haven’t had many complications during pregnancy, and my consultant seems happy overall. They did mention it might take a little longer to get the baby out because of scar tissue, but otherwise everything looks fine.

That said, I’m really anxious. I’m needle phobic and have struggled in surgery before—especially with the sensation of not being able to breathe, feeling sick, or actually being sick. My first was an emergency section, and my second was planned. Even with the planned one, I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly and started heaving during surgery, which was terrifying. I also felt like I wasn’t really being listened to at the time, and to top it off, my second baby came out struggling to breathe.

So now, with this third c-section coming up, all of those fears are weighing on me. I can’t stop worrying—about not making it through the surgery, about the baby not making it, or just having another really scary experience.

Has anyone else had three c-sections, especially close together like this? Do you have any advice or reassurance to share? And for anyone who’s been through something similar—are there things I could ask or mention to the anesthetist to help with my fears around breathing and sickness?

Any advice would mean so much right now.

I’ve had 3. First two emergency c sections. (I tried for a vbac second time and failed).

Ive just had my third, elective section this time. I know what you mean about the can’t breathe feeling like you might be sick thing. I was retching a lot when they moved up my torso closer to my stomach.

its not fun but the prize at the end is so so so worth it. An hour of discomfort for years of your wonderful baby and child. What helped me was box breathing and also an amazing medical team who cheered me on every minute of the surgery telling me what was going on and all of them saying I was doing so well over and over again. Promise you you can do this!!

Would it help you if had an anti sickness medication in advance of the surgery so you a less worried about that part of it? My friend has a phobia of vomiting and the hospital were happy to arrange this for her.

You can opt for general anaesthetic. That's how I had both mine, one emergency and one scheduled (but medically necessary) c-section. I chose to have them under GA as I didn't want to be awake while being operated on

Is not having a c-section an option for you? Then you don’t have to worry about surgery?

I think it would be really risky to try for a vbac so soon after two c-sections close together. The scar tissue weakens the womb lining

I’ve no real advice but I’ve also had three sections in three years and it was honestly fine. ( well as fine as a section can be!) there were no additional complications no problems and I had a healthy baby.

I've only had one c section (emergency), but I was terrified, and I told the anaesthetist that she just had to keep talking to me the whole time, telling me what was happening and just chatting about anything, and that if she went quiet at all I would panic. She was amazing and did exactly what I'd asked. You might not need the same as me, but maybe think if there's anything the anaesthetist standing by you could say (or anything you don't want them to say) to help you through. Huge good luck and lots of hugs.

I have emetophobia, and threw up a lot during and after my vaginal birth with DS. I was really worried about being sick or feeling sick during my planned c-section 2 weeks ago, because I had read that it was common to feel sick/be sick. As soon as I felt sick I immediately told the anaesthetist and she delivered the anti-sickness meds super quick and the feeling passed within 2 minutes, I never threw up.

Can't help re: the C-section question but could you buy some Emla numbing cream, then at least you won't feel any needles, as long as you put it on at least an hour before? (Buy a few tubes so you can numb a few different areas, in case they can't cannulate the first site.) Slather it on, wrap some cling film around it and Bob's your uncle! (you can get special plasters, but you might not like the sensation of them being pulled off...). Hope all goes well, good luck :) xx

I had four in nine years (& extremely complicated pregnancies for non-c section related reasons). Honestly it was fine - the first (emergency) was 1000x worse than the others (planned) & the 4th was no different from the 2nd.

No real advice, I had so much else going on that the sections were kind of bottom of my list of worries tbh but I know how horrible it is to spend your pregnancy scared & feeling out of control so sending you much sympathy!

At our trust we start a phenylephrine infusion as the spinal goes in which keeps your blood pressure up. This should stop the sickness.
In terms of the breathing, it might feel like you’re not breathing as well but you definitely are. Sometimes the spinal trickles a bit higher but if anyone was worried about your breathing then you’d definitely know about it. I know it’s uncomfortable and weird but just try staying calm and taking nice deep breaths.
Good luck, I’m sure everything will be fab and you’ll have your baby before you know it!

I had 4 sections in 6 years. I had 2 under GA. I much preferred being asleep if I’m honest. I suffer panic attacks and found being awake really stressful.
My recoveries were good. I did have to have a drain with the 4th one but it only stayed in overnight.