Panic attack during c section

[Thetractorjustmoved]

I'm trying to decide whether to go for vbac or section for my second.

Had emcs for my first, after a long labour. I really panicked during the section, I think because I was so tired, and the epidural really felt like I couldn't breathe. I ended up having a panic attack on the table at the moment my son was placed on me, and it was all pretty awful and felt very traumatic. I thought I would die (there was no chance of that, but it's how I felt!)

Trying to decide what would be best this time round, as I know people say that a elective section is very different to emergency. But I'm worried that my body will respond the same and the epidural and generally being tied down will trigger these memories and make me panic again.

Has anyone else had this? Even if I try for vbac I want to be prepared for the possibility of a section again, so any advice for not panicking would be really appreciated. Is it just concentrating on my breathing? It felt like I couldn't breathe!

I'm currently trying to decide between Vbac and elcs after emcs last time it's sooo hard!! I didn't have a panic attack but I do remember not being able to feel myself breathing which was very strange so I was concentrating really hard and counting my breaths to make sure haha the aneathatist actually asked me what I was doing and why so I told him he just laughed and said if it keeps you calm keep doing it but don't worry that's what I'm here for!! And the reassurance really helped but I still kept doing it next thing I know my daughter was born and my breathing didn't matter anymore so that could be a technique you could try to keep you calm if you do go for elcs

Oh OP. I’ve had panic attacks before so I know how horrible they are and can’t imagine having one during a section. I do think it sounds like it was very connected to the situation and the shock of ending up there after beginning labour on your own. I’ve had an ELCS for my second baby and honestly it’s a very calm and controlled experience. I was chatting to the anaesthetist for what felt like 5 minutes and the my DC was born! I wonder if it was an ELCS if they could give you something to keep you calm? You could certainly discuss your fears and previous birth situation ahead of time.

Hi OP, I could have written your post.

I had two big panic attacks during labour (one during labour, one in the EMCS). Being restricted, out of control, failing etc were all massive triggers for me. Annoyingly I had been attack free for nearly 2 years, and unfortunately still suffering with them.
I have no advice, can only offer support. I'm 32 weeks and going for a VBAC. Mentally not prepared for a failed induction and CS again. Best of luck to you - I'm sure someone will be able to offer some sound advice to help.

EMCS and ECS are VERY different OP. You probably panicked as your first was unexpected and you were in pain and exhausted. I can assure you, electives are very calm experiences.

Thank you everyone, that's really useful to hear. Ive heard from so many people that elective sections are very different, I think I'm just a bit worried that my body will sort of remember that feeling of being constructed and unable to breathe, with the epidural, and panic regardless.
I might ask if there is anything they can give me to calm me down, thank you. And I guess breathing is always something to focus on.
It was just very strange, the moment I met my son was the exact moment I thought I would die, because I'd stopped focusing on keeping calm and went into massive hyperventilation. Really want to avoid this again!
Think vbac and planned section are really hard to decide between after a scary section (ie no one has a crystal ball). Good luck to everyone trying to decide xx

Hey, I am currently 3 weeks away from elc. I have suffered with panic attacks for many years. This is my 3rd delivery, 1st was natural, very quick and was very lucky with no complications at all. 2nd was twins, developed pre eclampsia, was very ill, emcs for which I asked to be put to sleep as I was terrified, literally went for a check up and within half an hour was being prepped for surgery. This was definitely the right choice for me as there were complications due to the pre eclampsia, which I'm glad I was asleep while they sorted. This time I am staying awake, having a spinal block and honestly I am scared, I have no experience of c section due to being asleep last time but due to wanting to see my baby and also allow my husband to experience the birth I am going to stay awake. My consultant has been very supportive, originally planned for vbac but after the information she gave me to read on the risks for both I changed my mind to elc, which my consultant has been totally supportive about. She also arranged me an appointment with the anesatist, who was lovely. I explained my concerns regarding panic attacks and she said I could be given diazepam if I was feeling I needed it, I'm pretty sure I will take it, I've had it in the past and it works really well and doesn't make me sleepy, just calm. I'm hoping my section will be as relaxed as I've seen many people say they are. I'm currently booked for section at 37 weeks but have another appointment next Tuesday, my babies growth has slowed slightly and the consultant said if it's slowed further next week they'll bring the section forward to 36 weeks. I'm hoping to stay at 37 so baby can develop more but will obviously go for what's best for baby. Good luck to you, I hope all goes well, ask about diazepam it's really helpful for panic attacks

I don't remember a feeling if not being able to breathe during my c sections so I can't help with that aspect I'm afraid. However my emcs and my ELCS were light years apart. I was able to do a birth plan for my ELCS and include all sorts of details such as having my gown on backwards and pulse monitor on my toes so I could have skin to skin straight away. I could request that nobody announce the sex so that I could look for myself (they took that one really seriously and the dr in charge made everybody stop what they were doing before we started so she knew everyone was listening when she told them that nobody was to announce the sex!)

Honestly my ELCS was so calm and lovely it was the most healing experience ever and put a lot of ghosts to rest over my emcs. They are very different things. Well worth discussing with your midwife or dr about what could be done to prepare you or help with panicked feelings.

I've had an emcs and an elcs. I didn't have a panic attack during my emcs but I definitely know what you mean. I felt as though I couldn't breathe and really wasn't prepared for that. I definitely panicked and felt so unwell. I was dreading having to have another c section however like lots of others elcs was a much different experience. I was well prepared for the feeling with breathing and didn't notice it as much. I went in much calmer because it wasn't an emergency and was just generally a positive experience. I made sure I kept speaking to the anaesthetist about show I felt and they adjusted medication accordingly.

Ultimately I would have wanted to have a vbac but that wasn't going to happen for me and the elcs was much better than I expected

Op I was so scared of having my second section after an emcs that I had bloody hypnosis while pregnant.

But it was completely fine. Didn't feel the spinal block, legs just felt warm, the room was calm, surgery went well. Pain relief after felt nice and dozy. Nothing that I imagined going wrong actually happened and I wish I'd been less stressed and enjoyed it more!

I had 2 emcs but they were worlds apart as experiences. Even though medically the 2nd was far more hairy, it was so much better than the first time. Partly because I knew what to expect but mainly because I had talked to the medical team in advance - I had a meeting with the head of midwifery so there was loads in my notes and I also gave details in my birth plan about the things that were really important to me after the first experience. It meant I felt much more in control (of an ultimately uncontrollable experience) and ended up being a really positive experience.

Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and be very clear about the things that are really important to you.

Forgive my ignorance but I'm confused. I had a crash section with DS2 and I was under general anaesthetic so was completely oblivious to everything. Is that not the case with all emergency sections?

No they try to avoid a general usually. I had a spinal put in very quickly and the baby whipped out. It was so quick I didn't even realise until they had the baby out that surgery had started.

I could have written this post myself. I had a panic attack after he was born but I couldn't explain it and just said my chest was hurting and they upped the anasthetic which made me feel sick and they had to take my baby off my chest 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm also wondering whether to have vbac or elective next time x

OP, not sure if it helps to understand the physiology a bit - it's pretty normal to feel like breathing is difficult during a section under spinal/epidural top-up. The anaesthetic makes you numb to the painful sensations up to mid-chest level and as well as making your leg muscles really heavy, it makes your abdominal and lower chest wall muscles relaxed too. This muscle relaxation can make your chest feel very heavy and like breathing is hard work, but because you're diaphragm isn't affected at all your breathing is completely safe (most of the work of breathing is done by the diaphragm not the chest wall muscles). Having 3kg or so of baby plonked on top of you just adds to that heavy feeling too and some people prefer their birth partner to have the first hold (+/- partner having skin to skin if appropriate).

@MyGhastIsFlabbered the mode of anaesthetic depends on the scenario. For most proper 'crash' sections (ie. cat 1 sections where there's an immediate risk to mother or baby's life) a GA is more usual because it's usually the quickest anaesthetic, but it is a higher risk anaesthetic. For slightly less urgent sections (cat 2/3) then a spinal (or an epidural top-up) is generally safer so is the preferred technique.

Hi OP.

I could have written this too. I've had a ELCS which went really well, but...I had a panic attack during recovery when I couldn't move my legs and I was sick. I've been having some therapy on the lead up to my second ELCS in 5 weeks and from my sessions I've learnt to use the following tools to her through it:

1. don't be scared of feeling like you can't breathe + can't move - this is the power of the medicine and instead be grateful for it as without it you would feel an enormous amount of pain!!

2. approach the operation calmly, as you would an airplane flight. Imagine getting on a plane fearing it would crash the entire flight - you would have an awful experience and get to your destination exhausted. Instead, imagine getting on the fight relaxed, serene and calm and let the professionals in control do their thing. You will have a much nicer journey and might even enjoy it. Do the same with your C section.

3. if you end up having a panic attack- give into it. Don't fight it, try to stop it or fear it. It wont kill you and the more you 'welcome it' (I know this sounds crazy) the faster you'll recover. Surrender to it. And don't make it a panic attack call it 'excitement response' your body dealing with the shock in its own way.

Lastly remember it's only 3 hours max of your whole life from entering the theatre to being back in your room. And ELCS with the right surgeon are a walk in the park.

You've got this!!