To be terrified of C Section?

[fudgeie]

I am 35 weeks pregnant and was told at my 20 week scan I had a low lying placenta.

At my 32 week scan the placenta had only moved 0.77mm where I understand it needs to be 2cm to even consider a vaginal birth.

I was also diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes at 33 weeks despite passing two GTT tests at 28 and 29 weeks.

My final scan is next Monday and I was so scared that I will be told I will need a C Section at 39 weeks.

This will be my first operation.

I have heard that the jab they give you numbs you and I am so scared in case it becomes permanent.

The thought of numbness in my body terrifies me.

I feel so anxious all the time especially with testing myself 4 times a day.

I know its not in my control, any advice of anyone who has been in a similar situation?

I haven't, but my friend felt similarly to you and they contemplated giving her a general anaesthesia. They didn't in the end as she didn't want that, but may it be worth discussing with your consultant?

I had a C-section with my third and it was my worst case scenario but when it came down to it it was fine. I possibly didn't care much as I'd had a 5 day induction and was 10cms dilated on that damn drip with just gas and air so the C-section was a blessed relief. But everyone was so lovely, and soothing and reassuring.

@TheBunnyLover - thank you, I will mention it next week at my appointment.

@CornishGem1975 - How long did the numbness last?

I had an emergency c section and it was fine. My husband was allowed to be with me and they really look after you. Once baby was out and safe I honestly didn't really think about the numbness, but it doesn't last long after surgery. I do have a small numb patch of skin in my belly (from nerves being cut) but it's not bothersome at all.

I think peoples experiences will be different. My c section was also my first surgery. Being numbed was lovely and the whole thing went very smoothly and recovery very good. It was an on the day thing though so if I had known in advance I would have been anxious too. As a pp advised maybe talk to the consultant they must be used to discussing these very natural and valid worries.

I had a low lying placenta, was supposed to have a planned caesarian as a result but in the end was emergency section as baby early.

It was the absolutely BEST birth experience I could have hoped for. Only thing even remotely uncomfortable (and I'm talking a quick pinch) was the cannula in my hand. Did not feel spinal block going in. I also thought the numbness would be super weird but in the moment I was just so so excited to get to see my baby in a minute (c-section surgery is super super quick) that I didn't even register it till after. Wore off by the time they carted me and baby up to ward. Was up and showering by late afternoon and home next day. Very very minimal pain on day one, after that nothing. Could do everything myself for me and baby and was even driving within a couple of weeks (could have on about day 4 but didn't realise I was allowed to).

Hope you have the same experience xx

@fudgeie I had an EMCS at 3.30am, I was up and out of bed and walking around the ward by about 2pm. I actually can't really remember when the numbness stopped, I can't say I paid any attention because I was napping. Possibly would have been sooner for me to be out of bed but I lost a lot of blood and they were waiting to see if I needed a transfusion. (Which also made me nap!)

Talk to your team about the different options.

https://www.labourpains.org/caesarean-birth/caesarean-birth-advice-and-information
Here is some evidence based information about spinal vs general anaesthetic and what to expect with both.

Same for me as poster above, I had an emergency c section and it was my first ever operation as well. Agree I would have also felt very anxious if I'd of known in advance I was getting a c section, I think that's very normal. But all went well, numbness only lasted a few hours after the surgery. They like you to walk around a few hours after so I think that's the usual time frame for the numbness to wear off. You will naturally be worried, but it will all be fine, they do these things day in day out.

I’ve had 3 emcs, last one for complete placenta previa at 34 weeks. Maybe do a bit of reading up on things or speak to a midwife etc, the numbness doesn’t last long never mind being permanent. All three times I could feel my legs the whole time but couldn’t feel pain, and by the time I was being wheeled to recovery the numbness was wearing off already.

Totally off topic but the grammar on that website is quite poor isn't it?I don't know why I'm shocked 😂

I've had two births, both c section. First was a class 1 emergency, don't remember a lot about it and recovery was quite brutal. Class one they have to get the baby out within 5 minutes I believe so it's pretty quick.

My second was a planned but I wouldn't have been able to have vaginal if I wanted due to a second IUGR baby. Recovery was an absolute dream.

There were issues with this one but this was due to pregnancy issues. Firstly I had seriously low BP from about 8 weeks so the anaesthetist noticed I was on the verge of passing out as the spinal block lowers blood pressure. He was super quick at dealing with it with the relevant drug though so all I felt was some dizziness. He is there monitoring the whole thing. Secondly we discovered this time my spine is an awkward shape so it took a few attempts to get the block into place as he kept touching the spine. This was a student anaesthetist though, and absolutely wasn't his fault whatsoever.

First time I had a very early epidural during induced labour due to asthma and the possibility of interactions with anaesthesia so it was a bit more relaxed getting it in.

I couldn't feel much of anything with the second one, and initial recovery was rough only because my blood pressure wouldn't come back up. I had 7 bags of fluids over 12 hours, the last two being a different method of delivery which finally worked. Correct me if I'm wrong any nurses on here! Every time they attempted to sit me up my BP plummeted again, and one poor nurse who gave me the best tea and toast of my life unfortunately ended up wearing it promptly afterwards during a sitting attempt. I felt so bad but you can't even move to divert the sick 🤢

Once I was up for a shower around 4am I felt fantastic and it was a much quicker and easier recovery than the emergency one.

If we were ever to have another I would absolutely go for a c section again, planned is lovely and everyone is so happy and chatty. I would never ever allow myself to be induced again, the contractions are brutal even after the epidural.

There can be issues, but there is a massive team in there with you, the anaesthetist and a nurse are by your head the whole time and music is on, everyone in a fab mood. The nerves will always be there but they are very good at discussing what will be happening in the pre op etc.

I had an elective c section. I enjoyed it!
I used my hypono birthing techniques to calm anxiety I had when the needle went in (which was absolutely fine). I had a nice playlist on. It's funny while it's happening, as it's like people are rummaging around in you you feel tugging but absolutely no pain. And ooh my goodness the moment when they lift out your baby and you what the cry and see them!! 🥰🥰🥰

Try and focus on the benefits and the certainty you do have. No/v low risk of prolapse and incontinence. That's a huge win. No risk of baby getting stuck and starved of oxygen.

The only thing I wish people had told me is that laughing and going over bumps in the car really hurts the stitches for the first few days. On day 2 you will fart. A lot. PLEASE tell whoever is with you not to laugh when this happens and to leave the cubicle if needs be as if they make you laugh you'll be so so sore. When you're not laughing though you'll be fine!

Anesthetists and theatre nurses are very experienced in talking to patients to keep them calm. I had a epidural for a vaginal birth, and it took ages to put in and multiple attempts I think because I was having really strong painful contractions and struggling to keep still. But it was ok, the anesthetic and nurse were just talking to me the whole time and my job. I know full well they were probably not interested in job really but it does work to keep your brain occupied and not panicking about the weirdness of being anesthetized. The part of the C-section between the spinal going in and your baby coming out is very quick. Then it takes longer for them to sort out placenta and stitching but by them your brain is far more interested in listening out for you baby crying and then seeing them and holding them.

I had a planned section and I promise you it was the most relaxing and beautiful experience of my life. By the time I was back on the ward I was wiggling my toes and I was up and in the shower 5 hours after the spinal. Please talk about your fears, they’ll talk you through it xx

I have had two emcs and feeling was coming back in recovery. I could move my legs, sit up, roll on my side etc within half an hour of surgery finishing. DS was out at 3.30 and I was up and eating dinner at 5.30 and then had a shower. It wears off really quickly.

Being numb isn't scary. It's bloody weird but you'll be grateful for it. You can still feel things, like them rummaging and the inflatable boot things they put on me to aid circulation. It just doesn't hurt. It removes pain, not total sensation. You can also move your arms to hold the baby once they're delivered and you'll be so busy with the baby that you'll be stitched and able to move before you know it.

I promise you that the fear comes from it being unknown. On the day, you just trust in the staff and they'll take wonderful care of you. It's a quick operation and has the best of outcomes. It's the day you get to meet your baby. That's true regardless of delivery. Don't forget to think about that as well as the other stuff. It's a joyful thing.

I've done lots of anaesthesia for caesarian sections.

It can be a really positive birth experience. Especially if it's planned so you have time to get your head around it, pick your theatre music and speak to your MW, anaesthetist and anaesthetic assistant calmly beforehand.

There can be complications from the anaesthetics used (it's usually a spinal anaesthetic) but these are really rare. The vast vast majority of patients recovery well and many even describe it as a positive, happy experience when you visit them the next day (as have many of your peers above).

The dense numbness (ie. unable to move your legs at all) usually lasts about 90 minutes, but your legs will feel wobbly for longer than that and the skin numbness will also last longer - probably around 2-3 hours. These estimates do vary depending on the technique/ drugs used. If you need a caesarian the anaesthetist will be very happy to talk you through all of this.

The labour pains website posted above is the official information site for the main professional body for anaesthetists working in this area so the information there is trustworthy.

There was a bit of numbness around the incision that lasted longer than I had anticipated, but it went away eventually. I want to say it lasted several months and maybe closer to a year but can’t remember exactly, and 6years later I see no lasting effect. In any case it wasn’t painful or even uncomfortable after the first couple of weeks, just a slightly odd sensation when touched that gradually reduced over time.

to put things in perspective, a shocking proportion of women have lasting complications due to vaginal birth, and I echo others that my birthing experience was much calmer and less pain than most of the vaginal deliveries I’ve heard of. I also had a complicated and stressful pregnancy, but the easiest part of the entire experience was the c section.

Aww thanks for the replies, it has given me a lot of hindsight and what to expect.

PP poster hit the nail right on the head "it is the fear of the unknown" 100%.

This is my first pregnancy and everything is all new to me.

I wake up in the mornings feeling really anxious and with this being my first pregnancy.

It is reassuring to read so many of you lovely ladies had a positive Caesarian experience.

I will check out the website suggested by PP and hopefully it will calm my nerves! Xxx

I had an emergency section and it was my first operation. It was a lovely experience, staff were amazing felt a bit weird so many people looking after me and the baby. Husband was in with me, needle was much less painful than contractions and actually wasn't too terrible. No complications after I was up and walking ( albeit slowly) a few hours after.
My scar now 22 months later is almost totally invisible.

One tip to pack peppermint tea and peppermint capsules, as a weird thing can happen were you might get should pain which is caused from trapped wind from the operation and peppermint helps this

I had 3 vaginal births and one section. My section was the most positive birth experience out of all four births it was over in no time the numbness wore off really quickly too. I felt so safe being surrounded by a team of people rather than one over worked midwife coming in and out between other women it was very calm I wish I'd had sections for all my children. I'm still numb on my scar after 10 months but it doesn't really bother me. I was also home the next evening putting shopping away I recovered quicker from my c section than I did vaginal with minimal pain.

Planned csection reduces the variables that can go wrong. I've had a planned and a VB. I would take the csection any day of the week. So much less traumatic. Less uncertain. Less torture. Easier to bond for me anyway.

I wish I'd had a planned section. My last scan showed that the placenta had moved just enough to let me have a VB. My first two had been only two hours, but the low lying placenta meant that the head couldn't get in the correct position. Baby was back to back too. I had two days in labour and an extremely difficult birth with only gas and air as there was nobody available to give me an epidural.
A planned C section sounds great compared to my experience and I hope you are able to have one and enjoy the birth OP.

I had a really straight forward pregnancy and was always terrified of having an epidural/c-section; my birth plan was literally birth centre water birth (makes me laugh now). Ended up having placental abruption and had to have an ambulance and EMCS.

I was sobbing in theatre as they were doing the spinal because I was so scared (definitely fear of the unknown) but they sprayed my back with freezing spray and the next thing I knew they were laying me down and it was in with no problem (and no pain). The actual delivery was really quick - because mine was an EMCS I didn't get to hold DC until I was in recovery, but the staff were absolutely incredible and so so lovely. My numbness lasted probably 12ish hours which sounds AGES but that time absolutely flew. It'll wear off starting at your toes and work its way up.

Post surgery make sure you keep on top of the painkillers and do NOT overdo it. Make sure you take it as easy as possible with a newborn.

Really hope all goes well - I'm sorry it's not what you wanted birth wise but I promise it'll be worth it in the end. Sending lots of love x

I totally understand Op. Before my EMCS, I had my broken nose fixed under GA and I think if I hadn’t have had that experience, I would have been more nervous.

Interestingly, the actual surgery part of the birth was the bit where I felt the most safe as I was surrounded by staff, whereas there were staffing issues both during induction and postnatal care for me (during pandemic).

It will actually be the anaesthetist who will be by your side during the birth. Mine was lovely.

I didn’t feel any pain from the spinal injections, and I wasn’t numb for very long afterwards either.

It’s up to you but I wouldn’t recommend a GA if you don’t have to have one. People can be quite groggy for a while after a GA so I feel that would have more of an impact on you than the spinal.

I would say the most important thing about c section is to be prepared for the recovery. Definitely google mumsnet ‘c section recovery’ threads for advice.