C-section next week...TERRIFED

[HelKat207]

hello! Having a section a week Thursday and I'm so scared it's unreal! It'll be my second set of twins (first set was natural birth). I really don't know what to expect I'm such a wimp when it comes to any kind of pain, I'd really appreciate some advice/stories/tips to settle my nerves.
TIA
X

One thing I wanted to add to what pp have said is that before they start doing anything they check that the anaesthetic is working with a cold spray - it's really weird that you can feel movement but no pain/cold whatsoever. Hope knowing this reassures you that they wouldn't proceed without being sure that you weren't going to feel a thing! You can have a c section under GA but it's much harder on your body and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to miss the moment my son was born (I was very afraid for a while that I would have to have a GA for my EMCS due to very low platelets). Recovery was so much smoother than I was expecting as people have said above.

freneticfox, I'm an emetophobe too. You'll have a chat with the anaesthetist and surgeon before the surgery and you should mention it. My anaesthetist gave me an anti sickness medication straight into my cannula. Any wobbles or feeling weird and you tell them. They keep a really good eye on your bp, colour, oxygen levels, heart rate etc and while they do a brilliant job of looking like they're just chatting to you about all sorts of breezy stuff, they're actually making sure you're completely comfortable. The second I felt wobbly, the anaesthetist had already seen my bp dip and was fixing it for me.

Thank you for this thread - it has been a huge help and comfort.

Good luck OP

Showy - thank you for the reassurance, that's a massive comfort. I have pre-op checks the week before, so I plan on mentioning it!

Relax, honestly an ELCS is a relaxed, calm experience and you'll be so well looked after. X

Thanks all
A week today!! Going to get some Arnica from boots to start taking a few days before!

I would advise you to take painkillers with you. If you are in a very busy, understaffed hospital like I was they might only get round to handing them out twice a day which isn't enough. Just make sure you keep track of how many you've had!

freneticfox
Don't worry! You can ask for anti-sickness meds - I'm a sicky person under anaesthetic, they gave it to me.

I have had 2 c-sections, one under a GA (EMCS) and one under a spinal block (not epidural) ELCS.

I am planning on having another in July (not sure if GA or spinal block yet)

I have had a labour, so know what the pain feels like, and my preference is definitely the CS!

I had SPD early on, from about 17w. And with hypermobility, a lot research led us to want to go for a section. The hospital I originally was at denied it (quite rudely I might add), but the hospital we transferred to pretty lunch suggested it because of the extent of my limited mobility.

I was so Brow beaten that I'd resigned myself to birthing how I was told, so to suddenly have a say was a shock... Less than two weeks away! I still feel it's the right choice for me, but isn't stopping my jitters.

Thank you for this post OP, the reassurance is so helpful!

Much, not lunch... Thanks phone!

Hi! I had my dd by elective cs 4 months ago...it was just my choice as I was totally blocked on the idea of natural birth somehow...but I was also so scared of the cs having never had any kind of medical stuff done before. I was so worried about my choice and everyone seemed to be telling me how silly I was and what a hard time I'd have recovering. I'm happy to tell you that is was an excellent decision in the end and next time I won't be worried about it at all. As others have said, there was no pain worse than a blood test/injection at any stage. When I was in your position I wanted to know what the bad parts were, so incase you want to know, the worst things from my experience were: waiting in the pre theatre room as I'd never been in a theatre environment before and hadn't prepared myself for it so I was suddenly like 'where am I?' (Next time I wouldn't worry about this at all) then after the (painless) spinal block my blood pressure dropped really low twice...but this was just like a head spinning drunk feeling and was sorted within 1 min (I have felt waaaay worse after a few too many drinks!)...then as I asked to be dosed up with the max painkillers afterwards (I wasn't in pain just wanted to prevent it!) I was sick (for about half an hour, not violently, no big deal at all, no pain) and by far the worst pain of the entire having a baby experience was breastfeeding!! But even that was fine and is still working out 4 months on. As far as recovery goes, I was out of bed walking to the bathroom 24hrs after, it didn't hurt I was just super slow...I didn't feel strong enough to shower for a couple of days (take wet wipes, make up, dry shampoo, nice pjs...all superficial and unimportant but made a big difference to me) I just felt kind of like an old person, weak and slow on my feet, walking hunched over rather than straight backed but progress is visible everyday and within 4 days I was forgetting to take my painkillers. I will very happily chose a cs for my next babies if I'm lucky enough to have any! Oh, slippers without backs so you can just slide foot in are v useful for the hospital. I hope it goes perfectly for you, I had a lovely experience...in the operating theatre after dd was born I was soooool happy, thanking everyone over and over...at no point did I feel scared/pain/worry/unhappiness after that...all the very best. Xx

As others have said, there was no pain worse than a blood test/injection at any stage

compare that to the pain of feeling like every bone in your body is breaking and your being sliced in two - with a blunt instrument, and ....its without end!

Mine's is tomorrow too HelKat and I'm vvvv nervous as well, despite the fact it'll be my second ELCS. Let's hold hands!!