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Original poster

Anxiety over C-section

14 replies

Dav87 · 09/03/2020 14:02

Hi,
I am having a planned c-section, and this is my first baby. I’m absolutely terrified!
Made the mistake of watching a video on how a c-section is performed and now I am just so, so nervous about the whole thing.
I don’t want to have a panic attack during the operation, but that’s how I feel when I think about it!
Has anyone got any positive c-section stories please? Or any tips on getting this anxiety under control 😐
I have a midwife appointment next week and plan on bringing it up with her, but any other tips would be much appreciated! x

OP posts:
Amys136 · 09/03/2020 14:06

I had an emergency section so not quite the same. But the staff were lovely and are used to nervous patients. I didn’t even know they’d started until I heard the baby making noise.

I’d practise some breathing techniques so you’ve got them in you’d pocket for if you start to feel nervous.

Amys136 · 09/03/2020 14:06

Does your hospital do classes for c-section patients? I know my local one does

Moominmiss · 09/03/2020 14:09

Hey, I’ve had 3, one emcs, and 2 elcs.
I’ve had great experiences with all 3 but even more so with the electives.

I can totally understand your nerves though, I felt nervous before each of mine.

But they were such lovely experiences actually. I walked into theatre hand in hand with my husband at the time, sat up on the table, and hunched forward with my feet up on a stool while holding my husbands hand as they gave me the spinal injection. Within seconds I felt warm and heavy and they laid me back. Put the curtain up and attached various monitors to me. I had a lovely anaesthetist up behind my head talking to me and reassuring me the entire time. They gave me something through a drip in my hand that made me shiver uncontrollably though, but apparently that’s totally normal.
At no point did it even feel uncomfortable, just an odd sensation. Then quicker than I imagined, my baby was out! And laid on me. Wheeled out and into recovery for an hour or so and then back up on to the ward. My spinal had worn off my the afternoon (c section was in the morning) and I was walking to the loo on my own once I’d had my catheter out. I went hone the next day!

Elliesmommy · 09/03/2020 14:10

I had 1 emcs and 2 planned. They were both beautiful experiences. They numb you up . You cant feel anything and you have a huge team around you. One particular watching you. And a team for the baby. Forget the videos. You are only scaring yourself. Maybe try some breathing techniques for the anxiety. You will be in great hands and get to meet baby at the end of it all. It will all be worth it.

BabloHoney · 09/03/2020 14:13

I had a planned c section last year and honestly, it was a lovely experience. Everything was so calm, the doctors and midwives all explained their roles to me in theatre before the op and they were all so friendly and chatty. I had my own music on... would that help at all? I definitely found it relaxed me.

You should also have a pre op meeting the week before where you can talk through your anxieties and ask any questions.

Good luck and congratulations on your baby.

Shinesweetfreedom · 09/03/2020 14:14

Dav87
It was a blast.
I was so so terrified of giving birth,and this was marvellous.
They put a screen up so you don’t see anything.
Obviously epidural.Stay still when you have that don’t be nosey and try and turn round like I did.
Your tummy feels a bit like a washing mashing turning round.No pain.
That’s it.
Beautiful experience.

MrsDrudge · 09/03/2020 14:19

I had 1 emergency and 1 planned. Emergency was scary but the staff were great and baby and I were fine.
Planned was a different matter - it was great to have DH by my side, and beautiful to see my little girl being lifted out and handed to him. I felt a bit of “rummaging around” during the procedure but nothing painful. When all was finished they put me into a warmed comfortable bed and handed me my new daughter. It was a wonderful experience. Up for a short walk and shower (supervised) the next day - quite sore but manageable.

Conrad79 · 09/03/2020 14:23

I had a planned c section (baby was sideways!) & it was so calm it was actually like a dream.

At one point I was shaking with nerves and they just increased the dose of something to calm me down. My stitches were dissolvable & so neat.

Honestly it was amazing! Smile

Conrad79 · 09/03/2020 14:23

And I went for a slow walk on the beach 4 days later Smile

TheArtfulScreamer1 · 09/03/2020 14:39

I had an EMCS last March but it was a calm one as it was for failure to progress I was awake during it and everything was clearly explained to me at every stage and I got to meet my wonderful DD at the end. On Fri I had my wisdom teeth out and I'm currently very uncomfortable and in a fair amount of pain truth be told I think my C section was a much better experience.

foreverhungry2409 · 09/03/2020 14:45

I've had a EMCS and a planned c section which has just over 5 months ago. It was a great experience! Only bugger was we kept getting pushed back as emergency cases obviously take priority on the day so I thought I was never gonna get baby out! They ended up taking me in just before 6 pm and baby was born at 6:36 - was told it was a quick and easy c section. Got to meet baby and then was taken for recovery. Was worried as nurses kept asking if I could feel my legs yet and it took absolutely ages for the epidural to wear off - anaesthetist must have given me a horses dose I swear! I was up and walking around 6am the next morning and was discharged in the evening. Can't fault the care I received one bit. Did end up with a kidney infection and back in hospital the next week but that's not something that could have been controlled sadly😭 you'll be absolutely fine 😄

MrsDrudge · 09/03/2020 15:42

As you say you are mentioning to your midwife, it might be worth asking about relaxation/meditation/self hypnosis techniques if you are worried about a panic attack - it might give you some confidence and help you to avert this if you have some coping strategies to call on. You won’t need them, but knowing you have techniques is comforting in itself .

Sally7645 · 09/03/2020 16:18

I have had one ELCS and another planned for autumn this year. First was a wonderful and surreal experience. The team were lovely, everyone was so calm and chatty. The spinal was fine, felt a bit like a Chinese burn- nothing major!

Start to finish was about 30 mins, only time I got mildly worried was when I felt like I couldn't take a deep breath in (only due to the spinal working so well, they reassured me that I was definitely breathing I just couldn't feel it!)

Recovery was totally fine, take the painkillers and do move about as soon as you can (whilst taking it easy) You'll be fine! X

Bearbunch · 10/03/2020 21:04

Sorry I am jumping in on this thread but it seems like the right place to ask.. I am absolutely terrified of having a vaginal birth and I want to request a c section. When do I approach this subject with my midwife? I'm currently 13 weeks so I know I have a while to go. I am seeing her again in about 4 weeks time. Tia xo

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