Imminent ELCS and starting to get really scared...

[nearlymumofone]

I have my ELCS booked for tuesday I'll be 39+5. I was totally fine about it but just started to freak out a bit today. This is dc2 and I'm scared something awful will happen to me and I'm scared of leaving my ds. I also read another thread about the use of forceps in cs and I hadn't known about this, forceps were always my greatest fear in childbirth- I was told my the mw at my last appointment that the baby is fully engaged and quite far down and I'm scared there'll be a problem in getting him out.

Hi, is this your first c-section?

I only have 1 child and he was born by planned c-section because he was breech so can't help you on the forceps side. If it is your 1st c-section I can tell you something about the experience if you'd like? In short, I got the jitters two days before, big time - imagining the worst' etc. The day before though we let ourselves get really excited, counting down the hours and went out to a gorgeous restaurant, etc. to distract me.

I can tell you though, in the theatre it felt like being in a v lovely hair salon on a Monday morning, chilled out staff, calm friendly and efficient, just going about their business in no hurry Chatting to me about this and that. And once I had the spinal block...mmmm...lush. Felt like being in a warm bath. Try not to think about how your baby is coming out - I'm sure the fact it's pre-contractions and planned will help with the baby coming out more easily.

Good luck .

Plus, depending on how old your son is, you could involve him in the Caesar Eve excitement the day before? He won't have to see you in pain beforehand or be rushed away not knowing when he'll see you next - which might be the case otherwise.

Hi, I can't help with the section but I had a forceps delivery. My son who's now 9 weeks is lying sleeping on me just now! I know it's easier said than done but go in with the mindset that your ging to be meeting your baby soon. I didn't find the forceps that bad at all and the theatre staff were absolutely fantastic.

I had a planned section with DD. You are in the fortunate position of being able to hold your DS once he is born.
I had a GA and met my DD 11 hours after she was born.
Enjoy your new child. I love freelance's idea of involving your other DC. Can you all go out for a lovely evening before?
Good luck.

I was going to have am ELCS for placenta previa but had an EMCS when I went into labour, 38+2. It was a very empowering, even fun experience. If you PM me I can answer any questions you have. It is normal to feel fear though, but just think of it this way- you will meet your little one soon. Congratulations and all the best.

Hi, am posting this with 5 day old dd3 snuggled on me who was born on Wednesday by elcs. Forceps were used to help get her out but I had no idea until they told me in recovery afterwards. But rest assured it's not like using forceps for a vaginal delivery where they have to tug the baby they are used simply to gently ease the head up a bit if the surgeons hands can't quite fit down either side. You will feel tugging and pressure but no pain. It's ever so quick as well - it took about 25 mins from going in to having the spinal and being completely numb, just 12 mins from first incision to her being born! Then around 35 mins to stitch up though I was cuddling DD by that point. So just over an hour in total.

freelance is right it's ever such a relaxed atmosphere and the staff really took their time to chat to us and make us feel at ease. Very different to my prev emcs. I was very nervous beforehand too but honestly it was a good experience. Make sure you take a camera in - the midwife took some amazing photos for us of her being born (cleverly taken so you can't see anything of the operation) and also of the three of us. She was placed on me within 2-3mins of being born and we had skin to skin and a first b/feed in recovery.

This is my 3rd birth - 1 vaginal 1 emcs and 1 elcs and 5 days post I can honestly say it's the easiest recovery of the three. I feel fit and well and have had very little pain. I was up walking to the toilet 7hrs after and discharged after 36 hrs (i was happy with this I could have stayed in longer). I hope this helps a little with the nerves.

Good luck for Tuesday x

Your medical team must feel that for you the risks of a VD outweigh the risks of a CS. This risks overall are low though, and forceps are only ever used if they are necessary and it is thought that the benefits to the baby outweigh the risks.
Sometimes there just are no prefect options, but that doesnt mean that your elective cant be a nice, calm, quick experience.

I've had 3 elcs, and completely identify with freelances experience about the actual cs.
It is completely normal to feel scared about it.
I found it helped to plan the days up to the cs - without making myself knackered, I planned loads of treats, like watching a film with lots of chocolate I visited family, we had a meal out as a family the Sunday before my last cs, which the older dc really enjoyed. It helped keep my mind off things, and time flew!
Good luck :)

(Whatever - I had no idea you were pregnant - congratulations! :))

An elcs is a calm and chilled process - very unlike an EMCS, so do bear that in mind when listening to/reading stuff!

FWIW, my consultant told me forceps were used much less in Cs's than in VBs and then delicately alluded to the fact that 'entry' was generally easier...

I've only had a planned CS so have limited experience but I can see that the 'countdown' to a specific date is a particular kind of pressure (that said, I had my CS ten days early as my waters went - all was fine, they just did it earlier).

I don't know what kind of person you are, but would it help to buy and pack some self nurturing treats for recovery? anything from nice handcream/moisturiser to new books on a Kindle (heck, treat yourself to a Kindle! one handed reading while you are lying around with a baby! they should be available on prescription) to a couple of magazines - whatever floats your boat. As others have said, doing something nice with the family beforehand is a good idea - but focusing on just giving yourself as nice a time as you can recovering is a good idea.

Recovery from a CS is generally very quick and easy but it isn't a race - if you can take it easy with your new baby, do, and enjoy it.

Thank you all so much for your lovely positive replies. I managed to finally get some sleep last night and after reading all your replies am feeling a lot more positive. Ds is in nursery today so getting lots of last minute things done about the house so (in theory) I come back to a nice organised serene environment, and I have a nice pub lunch planned too! Will let you know how it goes, but I am feeling more relaxed now. Thank you.

Please dont worry. I've had 3 children all by ELCS, and first was forceps, but I had no idea till later. He was wedged at a funny angle and using them meant my surgeon could keep the incision v small, that's all.
Both times were very fast, calm experiences, and pain and panic free. The recovery is fine usually because you've not done hours of labour, and you'll be amazed how quick it all is!
I was terrified before the first one and yet looking back am sad it went so quick! One minute I was chatting to the anaesthetist, and the next my DH said "he's coming out!" I'm smiling as I type - it was a fantastic experience!

I had my second daughter by ELCS this April - 4 months to the date yesterday. It was, without doubt, the most beautiful birth experience. Calm, happy and panic-free. I can only echo the sentiments expressed by ladies upthread.

Try not to think about it as major surgery. Rather, enjoy it as your baby's birth.

If I could do it again tomorrow, I would. You'll be meeting your perfect rosebud baby soon x

Good luck and very best wishes,

MammaT