elective c-section (so nervous)

[mum2be2019]

Hi all,
I am due to have an elective c-section very soon due to a horrendous birth with my daughter.
However, as the date has been getting closer I am getting myself so worked up about it all :-(
I am quite a claustrophobic person, so I’m worried about laying flat on my back & not being able to breath which I’ve heard people talk about.
I’m also worried about how long the spinal will leave my legs numb for etc, etc, etc!! I am terrified!!!
Can anyone offer me any advice on how to relax a little?
Is the not being able to breath after the spinal has been administered common?
Sorry for all the questions but I am getting myself so worked up!
Thank you xx

Ive had 2 and didn't experience any breathing difficulties in either (I have Asthma so I'm v aware).

I found both experiences very relaxed.
I can't remember how long the leg numbness lasts as when baby arrived each time everything else was a blur.

The only side effect I experienced after the op was itching because of the morphine but it disappeared after a short while.

Could you ask for some music of your choice to be played? I could've picked what I wanted in one (but I didn't know so DD was born to Tom Jones!)

Maybe try some mindfulness in the run up to get yourself in a good place.

Good luck, hope it goes well and you have a good experience.

Hello! Yes - it's a bit weird, but a wonderful experience with lots of people to hand hold you through it. Talk to the anaesthetist about the numbness - they will be able to answer ask your questions and talk you through the whole process (assuming you will be awake?). Just try to relax and trust in your team. They all know what they're doing. Good luck!

I'm not sure of a way you can relax because it is a scary thing. It's surgery while you are awake! But I can tell you about my experience, it was great. Honestly the lead up (so where you are now) was the worst bit. The actual thing was fine, and I'm not a brave person at all. It was over so quickly. Once the op started baby was here in 10-15 minutes. I didn't have any trouble breathing. Lying flat was fine. The spinal made my legs numb for about two hours total. The feeling was coming back after I'd been in recovery for about 30 minutes. My legs weren't completely numb like I thought they would be. You can still feel touching/pressure.

The recovery was fine too. Except for the first time getting out of bed afterwards, I can honestly say I felt very little pain.

Hi! I had a c section with my twins 11 months ago. It was fab! I would have it again if ai had another baby/babies. I was absolutely terrified like you. The staff in theatre are used to frightened patients and they will do their best to reassure you.

I didn't shake. I did not find it claustrophobic.

The recovery is difficult but only because it is major surgery. You will feel normal again I promise.

It was a very positive experience for me and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the staff that performed my operation.

Best of luck to you

Try not to worry. This will be brief, as I'm feeding my three month old at the same time, but my elective section was amazing. I had a horrendous experience first time around with a natural delivery, and I was determined to do things differently this time. I completely understand your fear, but it really was a walk in the park compared to the first one.

Two things my sister told me, and she had four sections. First, you know how sore you are at the end of your pregnancy? Something always hurts - back, hips, whatever. From the minute the epidural goes in, you will feel no pain whatsoever for at least six hours. Hurrah.

Secondly, you just settle into it once you get in there. Yes, it's scary but you just have to accept you're in their hands at that point. You've done your bit, you just need to let them get on with theirs. They get the baby out pretty quickly and once you hear that healthy cry (fingers crossed), nothing else matters - the rest of the time in the theatre just flies by.

Good luck x

I've had 3 'natural' births which have ended in panic and lots of intervention. My 4th was an elective c section. It was so chilled and controlled. The weirdest thing was that my legs went a bit floaty and I thought I was falling off the bed but that was short lived. It provided the medical staff with some amusement as I clung with both hands to the 'top' of the bed so I didn't fall off! They explained I couldn't.
No breathing problems and I have asthma.
The numbness lasted about 5 hours after. I was able to walk about by 7pm and had my DD at 1pm.
If I had to give birth again I'd go elective any time.

I freaked out during my 1st c section, saying I couldn't breathe or cough and I was dying and the lovely anaesthetist said "OK Elevens, you know how we're having a conversation? Well that kinda proves that you can breathe and you are most definitely not dying. You're OK, I'm not leaving you"

I'm still here, so I guess she was right.

She also gave me really good drugs and I fell in love with her.

I was terrified beforehand too. I thought I'd be paralysed- everything you can imagine but afterwards I was relieved.
The pain is better in your tummy than in your vulva in a weird way (afterwards) More controllable. Being able to wee is so nice. (Spot who's had dreadful tears and an episiotomy!)
Good luck and don't panic.

Mornings eleven! 😂 i fell in love too 🤣

This will be me in April... I am also worried as this is my first pregnancy it's so good to hear positive csec deliveries.

Does anyone know what happens if you go in labour before the csec date?

I have had two emergency sections and one elective. It was a bit scary going into the operating theatre but it got better after DS3 was out, they laid him on my chest. I was so distracted by him that the rest went really quickly.

I had three sections.first was emergency, I was unconscious for that. But second two were fantastic. It can feel a bit unsettling when you're numb, but it doesn't take too long for it to wear off. It's the recovery that's difficult, but manageable as long as you have pain relief.

I had 2 ecc after traumatic birth. I was the most stress free experience compared to first Labour. It's a very calm atmosphere. Never experienced any breathing problems. My only advice is stay in bed till tomorrow. You'll be a bit sore but nothing compared to a traumatic delivery. Good luck you will be fine x

I had a semi elective last year due to a failed induction, I was terrified, having the spinal was fine and then they checked it had worked with a freeze spray until I couldn't feel anything up to my chest, I didn't have any shortness of breath just a heavy feeling, didn't feel much tugging and pulling like you hear.

I have emetophobia and whilst I haven't been sick for 25 years I'm terrified of being especially in front of other people so as soon as I was lay flat I convinced myself I was going to be and got in a bit of a flap about it, they were so good the anaesthetist really looked after me and gave me extra anti nausea meds just incase and when he could see how distressed I was getting over it he gave me a light sedation which helped loads. I second what PP said the itching when I was back on the ward was the worst bit!

My emergency csection was a very positive experience. I would definitely have one again (am in early pregnancy at the moment so this is a real possibility).

Thank you all for all your reassurance, it has really helped me calm down a bit (for now anyway!).
It’s lovely to hear that most people find it a positive experience.
It’s not so much the surgery & recovery which is worrying me, more the panic I may get into of not being able to breath which I’ve heard about. Also the feeling of being numb. I suppose it’s just that feeling of being out of control :-(
Just want it all to be over with! Still a couple of weeks to go as yet though :-/ xx

Thank you xx

I had two, honestly, you will be fine. I'm a claustrophobic person, I've gotten off a plane before take off once, you'll be surprised at how quick it all happens.

The staff will keep you busy, talking to you, they've seen all kinds of people and ladies worried and nervous. I think what you're feeling is perfectly natural.

Quite soon, after the birth, you'll be taken out of theatre and into recovery. You won't be in recovery too long and by that time you'll have your baby and be feeling relieved.

I couldn't have epidurals and needed a spinal, it'll start wearing off and you'll feel a tingling of your nerves waking up.

It's quite a production line, you'll be surprised how quick it'll all happen and you'll be back in the ward with your beautiful newborn. Once your baby is delivered, it will give you a new focus, a lovely new focus.

As a nervous person myself, if I could go back, I'd tell myself to enjoy the births, it will be fine. Try and remember what songs are on the radio (radio was on in theatre for mine).

You will be fine - exciting times ahead.

I had a planned c-section after a horrendous forceps birth.

It was quite scary walking in to the theatre, but honestly, the operation wasn’t too bad. It was a bit uncomfortable when they did the epidural, but only for a few seconds. I did shake, maybe that was nerves, but I had a lovely anaesthetist who spoke to me all the way through and kept me calm. I didn’t have any breathing problems.

There was no pain, I could actually sort of feel them making the incision, but it didn’t hurt at all. When they were trying to get the baby out, it felt like there was something very heavy on my abdomen, but not painful at all.

The recovery wasn’t too bad, and actually much easier and quicker than the recovery after my first baby. I was in far more pain after my forceps birth.

When I could walk again the next day, I felt tender and achy, but not really in pain.

I am claustrophobic too, but I just told myself that the baby had to get out somehow. It was either the c-section or labour, and I definitely didn’t want to do that again!

Please don’t worry, it’s really not too bad. No pain as far as I can remember, I just felt weak, stiff and achy the next day, but this improved every day. I felt a lot better even after a week.

I was afraid of being numb too. It's not numb though it's like trying to move a wall with your mind - it just doesn't happen (try it lol).

I enjoyed not being in control. You just lie there , relax and you have a baby/ or in my case babies at the end. Promise, it was awesome.

You need painkillers afterwards but that's obvious with a major op. But it's just like a clean, controlled cut. With time it will heal but you have to look after yourself. Take it as a time to treat yourself as the queen you are.

I had one in June as my Dd was breech. I was nervous going into theatre but the staff were so lovely, introduced themselves and asked me if I wanted any music/chatting or had any specific requests. They also put my husband at ease as he was quite squeamish 🙄

The epidural felt like a normal needle injection and I felt it start to work immediately. I could feel it trickling down my legs and I had to be helped to lie down on the table. They tested if I could feel anything and then got me to test to by poking my leg. It felt so odd, like poking rubber.

I was most worried about feeling sick and being sick as I tend to have low blood pressure which makes me go woozy I'd unwell/stressed. I did start to feel sick whilst on the table but told the anaesthetist who immediately riddled with a dial and I felt better almost immediately.

My DD was stubborn and really weighed into my rib cage so took so manoeuvring out but I felt no pain just some wiggling about.

My first DS was a vaginal labour, relatively straightforward but if I had a third I'd opt for the c section again as I found it much more relaxing and felt more in control. My recovery was also much better with the c section that my vaginal birth.

Oh and yes the itching! Be prepared to want to tear your skin off! Looking back that was probably the worst bit!

I had a planned c section for my second child after natural delivery with my first. Second was breech but I was quite happy to need a c section after having complications with my first and needing post birth surgery to rectify the problems! The c section was the best thing I could have done and if I had another baby I would have a c section again in a heartbeat. There was nothing scary at all and all the staff were in such a good mood and the atmosphere was so nice. I liked not being out of control. The spinal was totally insignificant level of discomfort and then a few mins later someone handed me a gorgeous baby :)

Also the recovery was a breeze and easier than my natural delivery where I was in significant pain for weeks. I only took over the counter pain relief after the CS, didn’t feel I needed anything stronger despite being offered codeine type stuff. I was up and about doing the washing up etc after 5 days. I know people say not to but I had no adverse consequences at all from it and I actually think being up and about and very mobile quickly aided my recovery. I was encouraged in hospital to move quite quickly and stand up straight as much as poss!

Incidentally I went into labour naturally before I even got to planning the c section date (baby was 3 weeks early) and it was all happening quite quickly so as soon as I got to the hospital they took me straight to theatre.

Good luck!!

I've had 1 emergency and 4 planned c sections. I've never felt claustrophobic or short of breath in any of them, I felt sick during 2 but that was easily sorted (in about 10 seconds by anti sickness drugs put through one of my cannulas)

Leg numbness wears off gradually over an hour or so in recovery for me and isn't as odd as you expect, in fact I couldn't have cared less at that point.

Good luck :-)

The surgical team will look after you