C-section

[sar168]

Hi! I'm not really sure what I'm looking for here but I'm having a bit of a panic right now. I'm booked in for my c-section on Tuesday morning and up until tonight I'd not really given the actual procedure much thought. I had an emergency c-section 5 and a half years ago, but I was put to sleep so don't remember any of it. This time however, I'll be awake and tonight I'm just panicking at the thought of it! I'm on the verge of tears which I know is silly! I know I'll be completely numb but is it painful at all? Will I be able to feel them make the incision etc?? The thought of it is making me feel sick! I know there'll be pain and discomfort afterwards, but I kind of know what to expect with the recovery side of things. I'm just getting myself so worked up about the actual procedure, is it as bad as I'm expecting it to be? I can't sleep with worry

I can only speak for myself but I felt zero pain during either of my c sections. The spinal was a weird feeling because I expected pain but there was none- it was like a cold feeling going through my back. I asked my midwife to tell me when they were going to make the incision, and she told me the baby was almost out. With my first c section I felt some pulling but with my second I felt nothing. Both of my c sections I was awake for, even though my first c section went so well and I was happy with it, I still had loads of anxiety with my second. That one was also fine.

They use a drug that blocks the pain component t of the nervous system so as weird as it sounds you will feel something inside you but more like a rumbling but no pain associated with it. As your awake you can communicate with the enthusiast. Before they make any incisions they will check that you are completely numb up to the chest.
I understand your fear but it's really not bad at all. My recovery was a bit difficult but like your first my c section was an emergency one so I think I hadnt mentally prepare myself for a recovery.

Good luck

The spinal is a bit uncomfortable, but you don't feel anything after that. Just rummaging really , but no pain at all. I didn't feel the stitches either, it took quite a while for the spinal block to wear off by which point they gave me painkillers.

Thank you both! I think because I know it's coming it's giving me anxiety because I have time to think about it and dwell! I hadn't given it much thought at all but this evening it's just hit me how close it's getting. Thanks for your reassurance, I think it's just the thought of it more than anything at this point

I’ve had four c sections and the worst bit for me was feeling a bit cold. Good luck.

I had my first c section under general anaesthetic as well, so really wanted a natural birth second time round. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be but I can honestly say it was fine. It was still an emergency but I was awake. I couldn’t feel a thing. I’ve been told by other people they felt tugging but I personally didn’t. I just remember shaking a lot. Either from drugs/adrenaline ( I had been in Labour for 4 days) or the cold apart from that it was fine. I healed better as I knew what to expect as well.
Good luck with everything, I wish you well

Eilidh Wells has a good YouTube video on it. Mine is in 3 weeks and like you I’m petrified but think I’m probably worrying about nothing. I’m getting myself worked up over the cannula in my hand and spinal in my back. I think once they’re done I will chill out a bit. It’s just the fact you walk into theatre completely fine, feel like they should wheel you in or something 😂 good luck, I’m sure it will be absolutely fine!

No pain but sometimes you might feel movement and tugging when they pull the baby out but it’s mild and you’re not aware of what’s happening behind the curtain.

@BlueSurfer pls can I ask did you have any complications with sections 3&4? I know usually consultants only advice to have 3 in my hosptial. I'm currently deciding whether to have VBAC or elective with number 2 but we think we want a big family