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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Terrified of a C - Section!

44 replies

Thrillh0use1234 · 03/06/2020 16:23

Hi guys, i'm currently 27 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy and due to be induced around 36 weeks - my baby girl has gastroschisis - and i'm absolutely terrified of having a C - section! The thought of being cut open whilst awake fills me with complete fear and i know you can't feel anything and you aren't in pain but it's keeping me awake at the thought of possibly having to have one! Last time i went for my scan they told me she has become breach and basically i've become more stressed from that day eek... can someone please reassure me that c sections are nowhere near as bad as i am thinking they are in my head?? Please and thanks help a worried girl out haha

OP posts:

ifellintoarabbithole · 03/06/2020 20:10

I had a planned section for breech presentation, and it was on the whole a positive experience. (The negatives were due to them ignoring my wishes about the birth so won't go into details as it was nothing to do with it being a CS).

I didn't feel the injections in the spine at all, which was great as I was worried about that. Once the spinal was in I initially had some nausea which is a common side effect, but swiftly fixed with IV anti sickness medications.

It felt a bit odd when they were rummaging around, but it was amazing how quick it was from first cut to baby!

I was regularly offered pain relief on the ward afterwards, which I made use of until I went home. Recovery hurts less than you would think for major surgery.

The worst thing was the extended hospital stay and seeing other ladies in and out, sometimes same day. It can also be difficult not being able to pick up baby while laying down for a while but that does get easier.

I hope this helps reassure you that it can be a positive experience, and try not to worry too much. Although it is perfectly natural to have some nerves. Just be really open and honest with your midwife about your fears.

rottiemum88 · 03/06/2020 20:32

Had to have an EMCS last year with DS after his heart rate started to drop in labour and I declined a forceps delivery. It was great! Theatre team were all lovely, it felt really calm and orderly and I recovered really quickly afterwards. I don't plan on any more DC but if I did I'd absolutely opt for an ELCS.

Delbelleber · 03/06/2020 20:35

It is a bit scary to think about but it happens so quick and before you know it your baby is in the room with you and nothing else matters after that

Bubbinsmakesthree · 03/06/2020 21:03

I was terrified of having a c-section with my first but ended up with an elective for my second. One thing I really didn’t understand was how small and unobtrusive the scar would be - I thought I would be completely butchered, but I don’t even notice it’s there - it was only a few inches, very low down and it’s faded to almost nothing.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 03/06/2020 21:11

My first was traumatic but for complicated reasons. My second (also an emergency) was amazing. I saw her come out and she was on my naked chest within minutes. Both recoveries were physically very easy, didn't need or take pain killers even in hospital. Was up and dressed really fast (within 6 hours) with both. Even though they cut me hip to hip to get dc1 out, you can't see my scar unless you're on top of me as it's a tiny white line.

SnoozyLou · 03/06/2020 21:18

I’m extremely squeamish. As in a drop of blood, and I’m on the floor. I had a c section last time and will be having another (elective - 10lb 5 baby last time and this one is on the same track).

I didn’t see anything at all. I didn’t hear anything untoward. It was not what I was expecting at all - a thousand times better. I know you’re scared - I was petrified (even considered doing a runner, but I had my gown on already and my arse would have been hanging out).

You will be alright.

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 03/06/2020 21:23

I had an emergency c-section and it was genuinely wonderful and relaxing, as crazy as it sounds.

You're put in a room with the best of the best out of the staff and there was a lovely holiday atmosphere to the room because everyone knew that my baby would be there soon.

The surgeon and doctors were chatty and made jokes. And I felt safe being there.

I do realise how weird this sounds btw.

Weathergirl1 · 03/06/2020 21:35

@Thrillh0use1234 I read the book 'why caesarean matters' and I'd recommend it as it explains what to expect. I can't tell you not to worry as I'm not in your head, but for me I found ELCS more acceptable than the thought of being induced (especially pre-term when the baby wouldn't be ready to come out!). I couldn't be induced anyway because my baby was breech so ELCS was it. I hate needles and an very squeamish. I asked the anaesthetist to put emla cream on me to numb my hand for the cannula and my back for the spinal so I didn't feel a thing!

Bluntness100 · 03/06/2020 21:41

Op, you can’t feel anything, you can’t even see anything, they put a screen up, and your baby is delivered within a few mins, the rest of the time they are sewing you up but you have your baby in your arms. They chat normally to you too.

Also if it’s like mine the anesthetist stays up beside you and talks to you and explains what’s happening, personally I told him I’d rather not know. He thought I was kidding so continued I was like “seriously dude I don’t want to know”

Honestly within five mins your babies in your arms and then they get on with the rest of it and your attention is on your baby. It’s fine..

StrawberryBlondeStar · 03/06/2020 21:45

I had 2 vaginal deliveries, which were both terrifying (one premature, one forceps delivery and haemorrhage).

My third was an ELCS it was lovely. It was so calm. All the doctors and midwives were lovely. Talked me through the whole thing. I was home the next day (unlike the long stay with both of my others). Straight on breast and no issues with breastfeeding.

If I had a fourth I would have an ELCS without hesitation.

mylittlesandwich · 03/06/2020 21:49

I had a lovely experience with my ELCS. Really calm and relaxed. All the theatre team were really lovely and chatted away and my recovery was pretty smooth. It's an odd feeling but then they sit your baby on you and you really stop paying attention to what they're doing.

NaviSprite · 03/06/2020 21:54

Mine was better than I expected even though it was emergency and my twins were very premature - I was relaxed throughout because everybody else was relaxed - despite it being emergency 😂 odd I know

The staff were fantastic and we could have a relatively calm discussion because I wasn’t going through labour.

Plus (unlike with my VBAC) I could sit down fine afterwards!

Morphsplaydoughpoo · 03/06/2020 22:32

It's the weirdest and most unpleasant idea, isn't it? To have a surgical procedure whilst awake and then have a baby handed to you. I had two ELCS and it was a bad idea for both. But the reality was amazing. You really feel very little other than tugging and pulling which although are different to kicks and rolling whilst pregnant are no worse, just different. Not painful, just weird sensations. I was worried about so many things and both times I felt so odd after that my CS's felt so natural. I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything and all my fears were unfounded, to be honest.
Birth is birth and a healthy baby at the end is the goal. With a vaginal birth there are many complications you could encounter and with a CS there are many complications you could encounter so neither are the worst option, you just have to go with what's best for you and your baby.

RiftGibbon · 03/06/2020 22:45

I had an EMCS after a failed induction. The worst bit was the epidural which hurt for about a minute.

Franticbutterfly · 03/06/2020 23:09

I've had three (two emcs, one planned) and it's honestly not that bad. It's over very quickly, and doesn't take as long to recover as you would think.

Please try not to worry, baby has to come out one way or another. You'll feel no pain, everyone knows what they are doing and they do it many times a day.

Babylifewife · 03/06/2020 23:36

I was due to have an elective cs, due to my baby being breach and I was just so completely depressed and scared. Then I went into labour naturally the day before the CS was scheduled. I had to have a semi emergency CS but by that point I was just so excited knowing that my baby would be born that day I was quite happy knowing a CS would get my baby there sooner and safer. I honestly can’t remember the recovery at all, I was so wrapped up with new baby excitement, and during in the CS I told the doctor it felt just like a massage. Every single one of my doctor friends, of which I have lots, have gone for an elective CS!
I am 27 weeks now too and I plan on having one again.

ArthurandJessie · 03/06/2020 23:38

I had one two weeks ago and was really scared but actually it was a great experience ! The worst bit for me was he feeling of the epidural it feels like pins and needles and I wasn't expecting that ! Had some pain for about a week ( very little by the end of the week) two weeks in I feel great and have to remember not go mad with house work etc ! Left the hospital after 48 hours and would definately do it again next time ! You cant really feel anything at all when they are doing the surgery it's not uncomfortable ( certainly wasnt it my case ) please don't fret about it because you are going to be just fine !

janeyloves · 04/06/2020 06:58

I've had 3! All planned. All wonderful. Each time my recovery was quick. I've never taken any of the painkillers they sent my home with.

ScissorsBike · 04/06/2020 07:17

A) I've had two, and the staff are absolutely brilliant at keeping you calm - they do several of these every day!

B) You can request to be fully asleep for it, if you like

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