Freaked out - reassurance needed please

[Yakadee]

So, I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and after a lot of research and thinking I had decided that the right birth option for me and baby might be a section. I had a really terrible first labour and looking at the risks I think this would be better as planned / more controlled (obviously I know there are still lots if risks).

Thing is, I was prepared to go to my appointment tomorrow to state this but I've really freaked myself out. Heart attack - 0.19% - I know this is small but it's really shaken me up. I've never heard of this and know lots of people who have had very successful sections (and even those less successful have mainly been around recovery).

I don't really know what I'm looking for here, I guess reassurance, but have a horrible feeling now that it's not the right decision. (That's if it's even agreed).

Anyone able to share any stories / put my mind at ease? Thanks lovely ladies x

Do you mean there's a 0.19% chance of having a heart attack as a result of a c section? Never heard of that as a risk.

I've had two emergency c sections and they were both free from major complications. I had some minor issues with wound healing both times but nothing that wasn't sorted out in a few weeks.

@AssassinatedBeauty - thanks for replying. No, neither had I. I decided to look up the stats to make sure I was fully up on the risks etc as expecting I'll need to 'fight' to get a planned section but for some reason I just can't shake that worry! X

There are risks all round - for vaginal births and c sections. It's a question of deciding what you personally are comfortable with. A 0.19% rate is very very low.

I know, I'm torn really now. I know it's really low and of course natural birth has the same risk (not lower).

It really wasn't great first time around and from looking at all the other stats if that wasn't included I'm sure I wouldn't even be hesitation at all. Don't know why it's worrying me so much? X

Maybe because it's not something that is mentioned and even the very slight possibility of it makes the risks seem more real? Although that is just perception not reality.

Perhaps go through the list of reasons why you want a c section this time round, they won't have changed. Does this very small risk outweigh any of those reasons?

Good way of looking at it.

I do think overall it outweighs what I went through but suppose maybe it just feels more real? Thanks for listening x

I am 32 weeks pregnant and just for about an hour, I’m feeling very sick like I could be sick so I have brought a basin into the bedroom just in case I don’t make it to the toilet and I have real bad tummy ache as well, is this normal?am quite concerned.

It could just be a bug. I've just had a sickness bug the last few days and I was very sick all night but totally gone now. Maybe see how you go, try stay hydrated. If you're worried you could always call in x

Have you looked up the risk of heart attack with a natural birth? It's a tremendous strain on the body, there's bound to be a risk either way.

@Havetothink - I have and to be honest, the risk isn't that much greater. I'm not sure if I was just being naive or what but I'd just never considered it!

I've actually been to see the midwife this morning and she was great, really sympathetic and supportive and she's referred me to the consultant about having a section x

Thank you Yakadee 🙏 xx

Today I have been getting a pain in my chest and it’s like I can feel it hitting through to the middle of my spine, I also have heart palpitations and my calf’s are tight but my left one is hard, sorry to bother again just after last night and now this today am not panicky, this is my first baby xx

Personally I had a terrrible c section and this time I’m having a natural vaginal birth. It can be a very dangerous surgery.

Am I the only one that finds that hard to believe? That's nearly one in 500.

How many c sections are there in UK every year? Most recent info I could see from a quick Google says 166k in 2013-2014. That's 332 heart attacks and the NHS website doesn't even list it as a risk?

Where did you get your info from OP?

@AMbeauty90 - if you're worried, just call in - if anything it will put your mind at rest.

@lovemyhorsesxo - I know it can be very risky, I wouldn't even consider it if I hadn't had such a bad experience the first time and weighed up the risk / benefits etc. Thanks though, I certainly don't see it as an 'easy option'.

@Whoisalanbrazil - it was a study I saw, sorry I can't seem to put my hands on it right now. It wasn't something I was aware of at all and I know a lot of people who have had sections x

I wouldn't worry too much. It just seems so high, even though of course it's still very low. And like you said, even that study said that the risk between section and natural birth is similar and baby has to come out. X

Yep. I'm feeling a lot better about it today, think it was just a shock. There was a lot of stuff that went wrong with my first labour and I'm still here and well so I'm sure all will be OK in the end x

Be aware that the consultant will also highlight scary risks to you. It took me until 34 weeks to decide on a c section and at 38 weeks I'm still not sure it's the right decision but I also know there are significant risks to me and baby with a vaginal birth. It is a really tough decision to make.

@kirinm - it really is. I promise it's not one I'm making lightly. I had a lot of complications with my natural labour and after a lot of reading up etc I feel it will be the best outcome. My appointment won't be until about 28 weeks so plenty of time to keep thinking x

@Yakadee my consultant knew I was very unsure (cried every time we talked about it) and he said I could cancel at any time so you do get quite a while to think about it. I did feel like my consultant was trying to talk me out of it which freaked me out as whilst I wasn't sure, I still wanted the option! My reasons for wanting one relate to my medical condition which it was clear the obstetrician didn't fully understand. I see specialist midwives and they totally understood!

@Yakadee here's a different way of looking at things.
The vast majority of people having a c/s are having one due to complications/emergencies. Some of these may be relatively "simple" (ie they had a c/s before so are having an elective one now) but others are due to serious health complications. People that have been badly injured physically or have extremely serious illness may need a c/s and it is those people that may be more at risk of complications. (although the risk is still low!)
An otherwise relatively healthy person is much, much less likely to have side effects like this x

@DannyWallace - thanks, that's a good way of looking at it, that's pretty much what my hubby said. I'm fairly healthy and active as I have a very active 2.5yo. X

I know a fair few people who have had c-sections, they’re all fine including my DGM who had one almost 50 years ago when technology definitely wasn’t what it is nowadays.

You will be absolutely fine. I’m also wanting one this time after previous traumatic births. Any surgery carries risks but so does giving birth vaginally.

@OutPinked - my last labour was just awful. Certainly trauma and a very long recovery x

Personally I had a terrrible c section and this time I’m having a natural vaginal birth. It can be a very dangerous surgery.

Can being the operative word!

I don't think this is that helpful, you have little evidence to back this up.

Op... I had a c section ( I wanted one before I was induced, but apparently that was not an option- I had a feeling in my waters baby was in wrong position and was not gonna move)

3 pessaries and 3 days later my waters were burst by the dr and I was put on drip. 12 hours and four epidurals later (top ups), failure to progress and whizzed off for a c section (baby was in wrong position and not coming out!)

I am such a scaredy cat when it comes to ops, but I was so relieved when it happened as I had wanted to skip induction and go straight to c section.

The c section was a lot better than the induction in terms of pain and the general experience and the team doing it were great, esp the anaethetist who had to administer more drugs whilst I was on the table.

I could feel quite a bit of pain that apparently I should not have felt as the epidural was supposed to block it. However, I think I had developed some sort if resistance to the epidural. First one worked subsequent top ups didn't. It was still miles better than my induction though.

Next time around, if all goes well, I will be asking for a c section, though they may refuse a vbac anyhow due to time in between c section and pregnancy