C section

[summerrain34]

Really nervous about my c section feeling really over whelmed and nervous anyone have any tips to calm myself down and prepare . Am I making it a bigger thing than it needs to be

I've had c- sections and vaginal births, and my c-sections have been WONDERFUL. Very relaxed, calm and pleasant. Stay on top of pain relief afterwards, as it can get tender if you try to be too brave, but honestly I loved my sections far more than my vaginal births. And found recovery easier too. Bit uncomfortable trying to cough, sneeze or poop afterwards, but hold a cushion or towel over the wound and it helps. And that's a short lived problem anyway :)

Chat your worries through with your midwife, but honestly I found mine very easy going, and I'm a natural worrier! Hope all goes smoothly for you.

I had a cs 9 weeks ago now. The c section itself was absolutely fine. I worked myself up so much, I was deathly scared by the time they called my name. But it was really chilled out.

The spinal is weird when you go numb, your legs feel heavy. They gave me far too much and I was numb to my neck, which wasn’t a problem but they put it in my notes for any future cs to not give me as much lol.

Baby is out in literally less than 10 minutes, then the time just flies when they pass baby over.

I have health and general anxiety so a cs for me was the worst scenario but it was the safest way for my baby to be born due to IUGR. I’m convinced that if I can do it, anyone can!

My one solid piece of advice is to bare with the recovery. It’s sore, not agony as it’s a local pain and you know what it’s from is a bearable pain, but sore nonetheless. You think after 2/3 weeks that you’ll be sore forever and you never see the end in site. I felt so fed up of being restricted, then week 4/5 came and suddenly it was like I blinked and most of the pain went away, then another week and suddenly I was a ton better again. I’m pretty much back to normal now, scared doesn’t hurt, my skin around it feels numb and abit weird feeling to touch, but no more soreness. , take all the painkillers they offer and don’t be scared to ask for more.

Get straight into lactoluse. I did and even though I was terrified of the first poo it was nothing, but bruised feeling on my scar to push to poo but because I had lactoluse on board quickly, and waited until my body was ready it was absolutely fine and I worried for nothing.

To confuse you, get moving ASAP, it’s helps with the healing... but also take it so so so easy. Let everyone else do everything for you. Potter around the house and make yourself cups of tea, but no more than that.

Honestly, it’s one of those things where the fear of the unknown is the worst part about it.

Good luck, congratulations and enjoy it!

Oh and another top tip! (I was so scared of getting an infection!) when you shower, just let your body wash run over it then the same with plain water to wash it off. Then dap it with a cotton wool pad once your out to really dry it (don’t use the hairdryer you’ll blow lint and dust into your wound)
Then stick a big padded maternity towel on the side of your big comfy pants over your incision. It helps to press it when your getting up, sitting down, coughing ect. I wore eye maternity towel over it for the full 6 weeks because I was so scared.

I never got an infection and I think it’s because I hated the thought of the incision so much that I didn’t even try to pull at the skin to see it and I never messed with it. I just left it well alone and kept it clean and dry.

I am totally needlephobic and was dreading it so I wrote myself a list of positives the night before I went in. I didn't need to read it because everything was SO calm. I explained before we went in that I was scared and everyone in the room was so kind and kept me informed when I wanted to know what was going on and they distracted me when I didn't.

You have to push yourself to move, regardless of the pain. Accept help where you can so you can still recover (it's a huge operation after all!). Take regular medication even if you feel like you don't need it. But most of all, just enjoy it. You will be awake and it will be the most calm experience. Take a playlist. Let them know you're scared. You will be well looked after. Good luck!

@whatdoidoodlodthw. I have the worst health anxiety and I think it's making me panic a lot more and be a lot more anxious

@summerrain34 honestly you’ll be surprised how calm the whole thing is. Is there anything in particular you’re worried about?

You aren’t making it a big deal - it is a big deal and you’re bound to be nervous! All I can say is I felt exactly the same but I told myself it’s mind over matter and you are in safe hands they do this day in day out
I would research positive c section stories and just flood your mind with good positive vibes! You’re going to be fine and so happy when it’s all done and dusted

I had a planned section with my first and I wouldn't give birth any other way! I was extremely lucky and recovered quickly with no issues at all. Thinking back the surgeon damaged the nerves to my bladder so I didn't know when I needed a pee for a month or so resulting in me going 24hrs without a pee! All came back though. Currently pregnant with number 2 and will be asking for a section this time too. Are you high risk or anything when your getting a section? Mine was down to a personal incident that happened during my pregnancy to make things easier for me. Stay calm they aren't as scary as your mind is telling you!! Xx

These posts are so encouraging and positive to read thank you! I’m hugely scared of vomiting, was anyone nauseous or sick during the procedure?

Thank you x

I was sick during the beginning all over theatre but they just cleaned it up super quick and got on with the job.

My advice would be 2 things. Firstly, lactulose and lots of it, starting a few days before the section. And the second is to get moving within 24 hours. It hurts, it’ll be painful, but it’ll be worth it. Just a few steps each dah

@WhatDoIDooDIoDtahW well I'm worried something will be wrong with the baby he won't cry or be still born etc .... I'll die on the table I mean everything that could go wrong I think will that's the health anxiety it really is a rotten thing on top of that I constantly think I'm sick or dying it's so heavy to carry around

Oh and I’m hoping every hospital is the same, but mine had a dedicated lady who had a job simply to sit next to me and talk me through the process and answer any questions. So whenever they were cutting/doing anything/a machine made a noise I literally could just turn to her and she reassured me as husband was petrified of needles and bloody useless

The procedure will be fine.

But you must stock up on decent painkillers. Paracetamol will not cut it. I was ok on cocodamol.

They want you up and about after 12 hours. Shuffle round as much as you can but when you go home - rest. And more rest. Anyone that wants to come and help - let them.

Tell the hospital that you’re worried about vomiting, it’s a common side effect of one of the drugs they often use but there are alternatives and they can give you an anti-sickness tablet.
The procedure itself is fine and it’s performed so often that it usually goes really smoothly. Be very kind to yourself after, no one gets any medals for “handling the pain”- take the drugs. Try and move little and often, that helped massively with my recovery.
What you’re feeling is normal. I’ve had two and both time’s I was convinced I’d die during the surgery. Good luck OP, you can do this.

I had an emergency c section after a failed induction. 2 pessaries (4 days) and 16 hours on the drip - I was exhausted and very hungry!
The c section was lovely. Such a relief to know I would get to see my baby. It was relatively quick and the anaesthetist was so nice and talked me through everything.
The recovery was fine and I've never had issues with my scar.
I'm 30 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and will be having a planned section. I'm nervous of course, but hope it will be as positive an experience as the last one.

I'll be having my second c section in a few weeks my first was amazing I didn't get nervous until I was going to theatre but everyone was great I told them how I felt they really put me at ease baby was out within 5/10 minutes the rest I can't remember as I was so focused on my new baby recovery was fine but that was when it was a 3 day stay in the hospital I'm with now it's ,24 hours so hopefully I manage on paracetamol and ibuprofen compared to ,,3 days on morphine then codamol I'm a bit nervous now but I think it's because I haven't had an easy pregnancy I'm sure it will all go fine though just like my first and yours will to op .

@JKD1982
The spinal can lower blood pressure and make you feel sick, but the numbing person (can’t Be bothered to spell anaesthetist was I get it so wrong that autocorrect can’t guess it!) will ask you to tell them if you feel sick at any point as they can give you something to help with it.

As soon as I led down after the spinal I felt a bit nauseous so I told him and within maybe 45 seconds he had put something in and the sicky feeling had gone.

I was also worried about dying on the table OP. But I kept telling myself that other than a couple of issues with my placenta and baby being small that I am a healthy 23 year old so my risk is so so low that I shouldn’t have to worry. - it helped a little bit but I don’t think you’ll ever overcome the fear of the unknown until it’s done. Once they take you to recover you feel such a massive sense of relief and it’s all done in well under an hour! X