Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Had a planned c section and freaked out

42 replies

iverreacted · 27/11/2023 21:23

I had a c section today and freaked out on the operating table. I think but was having numb legs was horrible to get used to.

The staff where fab and talked me out of my anxiety but I'm so embarrassed/ashamed.

Is this normal?

OP posts:
Bunny2021 · 27/11/2023 21:27

I had a planned section (which ended up being emergency because DC came early). I hated the sensation. I had to get them to up my anti sickness meds as thought I was going to be sick and couldn’t stop shaking.

Overall the section was so much better than the “natural” birth I had with DC1.

I’m sure you won’t be the first person. I definitely felt panicky.

Original poster
iverreacted · 27/11/2023 21:27

I think it was the numb legs I was having issue dealing with*.

I was crying my eyes out. Really anxious and emotional. When baby was out it was ok.

OP posts:
Bunny2021 · 27/11/2023 21:28

and congratulations btw! Focus on you new one. I guarantee the doctors will have forgotten about it by now.

Original poster
iverreacted · 27/11/2023 21:28

Bunny2021 · 27/11/2023 21:27

I had a planned section (which ended up being emergency because DC came early). I hated the sensation. I had to get them to up my anti sickness meds as thought I was going to be sick and couldn’t stop shaking.

Overall the section was so much better than the “natural” birth I had with DC1.

I’m sure you won’t be the first person. I definitely felt panicky.

I've never seen it on "One Born Every Minute". I've had lots of operations, but they've all been general. I guess I just wasn't expecting it.

Natural childbirth wouldn't have been ideal for me either:

OP posts:
Original poster
iverreacted · 27/11/2023 21:36

Bunny2021 · 27/11/2023 21:28

and congratulations btw! Focus on you new one. I guarantee the doctors will have forgotten about it by now.

Yeah they probably don't care lol

OP posts:
Original poster
iverreacted · 28/11/2023 00:43

Would any of the drugs make me freak out? Or am I just a silly sausage

OP posts:
MyCatIsPlotting · 28/11/2023 00:55

Maybe but, you know, it’s not exactly a natural thing, to be lying on an operating table wide awake knowing someone is/about to perform surgery on you, is it?! I’d say a high degree of anxiety is a perfectly normal response.

I had a complete panic for my second section (after a first emergency one which I was in a state of terror for) and completely started having a meltdown that I could still feel my legs. The staff were superb. I guarantee, they will have seen it all before and then some.

Enjoy those newborn snuggles!

ThanksItHasPockets · 28/11/2023 06:53

There are very few major surgeries for which you are awake. It is a very strange experience if you stop and think about it for a moment and along with the emotions of birth it is completely understandable that you were overwhelmed.

This is going to sound awful but in the nicest possible way when you go for a straightforward planned CS you are on a conveyor belt. The surgical team in a busy hospital likely do 4-6 caesareans all day every day, and although they are completely focused on you while you are on the operating table, once a healthy baby has been delivered, mum is stable and you have both been passed on to the care of the next team, they turn their attention to the next patient. In the nicest possible way a routine caesarean is very forgettable for the staff. The cases that stick in their memories are sadly the ones where something goes wrong or there isn’t a happy outcome.

It sounds like you and your baby are healthy. Congratulations! Focus on getting to know him or her and on recovering from your major surgery.

Dollmeup · 28/11/2023 07:08

I freaked out while I was getting the spinal anaesthetic. I felt faint and had to lie down for a bit and calm down! They had another go and I managed the second time but was clinging to the poor anaesthetic nurse for dear life.

I felt really sick during the procedure too. The staff were all lovely and reassuring though.

It was still a million times better than my vaginal birth with my first though.

Hiddenvoice · 28/11/2023 07:10

I freaked out too! I panicked getting the spinal, I then cried throughout, shaking and worried about being sick. I felt so unwell thag my dh commented on how pale I was.
The staff were lovely and really looked after me. I kept apologising and not one of them would take it. They reminded me that not many people would be awake for an operation and meet their baby at the same time.

Try not to feel embarrassed, I’m sure they see it daily!

user1483387154 · 28/11/2023 07:12

I cried as they were putting in the anaesthetic. Its a very emotional time and they will be used to a range of reactions.
I didnt even realise I had my baby until they announced it as he just kept asking if I could feel anything and all i could feel was a bit of pressing down on me, I thought he was just testing if the anaesthetic had worked! I literally asked, is he really here already? :D

motleymop · 28/11/2023 07:13

I totally freaked out during both of mine. I was shaking uncontrollably.

CormorantStrikesBack · 28/11/2023 07:16

I’m a midwife. It happens quite a bit. And I freak out at every surgery I have, including my section. Which is slightly embarrassing when I’m sobbing hysterically and screaming I can feel everything (I couldn’t) and they’re killing me when it’s my colleagues! 😂🙈. Honestly don’t be embarrassed.

Rjahdhdvd · 28/11/2023 07:16

I panicked when they were numbing me; no idea why but suddenly anxiety and panic just ran through me and I thought I was going to have a panic attack.

FloofCloud · 28/11/2023 07:20

Congratulations!

Don't worry the can it all before.

During my section, the very junior doctor said to the consultant anaesthetist "her feet are facing the same direction, does that indicate brain injury" ... I was a bit 😳 the consultant raised his eyebrows and said "is there any other reason you can think of that her feet would do that" .... braincells whirring a bit .... nothing.... consultant said "could it be that the operating table is tilted slightly so you think' ... freaked me out there for a few moments lol

jadey1991 · 28/11/2023 07:31

Oh my gosh reading this thread is making me panic now. I have a c section booked this Friday. 🫣🫣

Hiddenvoice · 28/11/2023 07:39

jadey1991 · 28/11/2023 07:31

Oh my gosh reading this thread is making me panic now. I have a c section booked this Friday. 🫣🫣

Please don’t panic! I would do the c section again tk have my next baby. I definitely panicked and cried but it’s such an overwhelming experience of having a baby so completely normal.
The whole experience itself was actually so calming and relaxed. Everyone in the room was chatty, friendly and made me feel l could relax.

SoupDragon · 28/11/2023 07:43

I remember crying throughout a minor operation for remove a mole under local anaesthetic! The nurse was so very, very kind and basically stroked my hand and cheek to calm me down. A c-section is far bigger than that, especially with all the "having a baby" stuff added in. They will have seen it all before.

Nov2023 · 28/11/2023 07:53

I have just had my cesarean and managed to keep the panic under control apart from a few sneaky tears when I was leaning forward for the spinal. But best laid plans meant I reacted to the drugs and vomited the whole way through instead! We can't control how we might react to medication so I wouldn't worry about it and focus on the baby cuddles instead!

Anneta · 28/11/2023 07:53

I had an epidural for a major abdominal operation in my fifties and I felt just like you! I cried like a baby when they put the injection in my back and I panicked for hours afterwards because I was unable to feel my legs or move them. It’s a horrible experience to feel so helpless. Congratulations on the birth of your little one. Don’t feel embarrassed, just enjoy your baby x

Original poster
iverreacted · 28/11/2023 08:14

Nov2023 · 28/11/2023 07:53

I have just had my cesarean and managed to keep the panic under control apart from a few sneaky tears when I was leaning forward for the spinal. But best laid plans meant I reacted to the drugs and vomited the whole way through instead! We can't control how we might react to medication so I wouldn't worry about it and focus on the baby cuddles instead!

Oh crumbs how did you manage with the vomiting and not being able to move?

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 28/11/2023 08:18

My spinal didn’t work. They tried 7-8 times and it just wasn’t happening for some reason. If I am honest, I was totally relieved at the time I was told I’d need a general anaesthetic. Of course I followed this up with an anaphylactic reaction to morphine too. When it came to c-section no 2, I was VERY anxious (plus this was twins) and my anaesthetist didn’t even attempt to talk me into trying a spinal. (And used different analgesia afterwards.) It was a much calmer experience for all!

jadey1991 · 28/11/2023 08:24

Hiddenvoice · 28/11/2023 07:39

Please don’t panic! I would do the c section again tk have my next baby. I definitely panicked and cried but it’s such an overwhelming experience of having a baby so completely normal.
The whole experience itself was actually so calming and relaxed. Everyone in the room was chatty, friendly and made me feel l could relax.

Show quote history

Thanks for the advice. To be honest, this is my first c section. I've had 3 normal deliveries. But last baby was traumatic.

Darkchocolateraspberry · 28/11/2023 08:29

I’m a doctor and I’ve had a C-section.

I remember vividly being prepared for the operation and thinking how alien and frightening an experience it must be to most people, in an unfamiliar strange theatre environment and surrounded by scrubbed up strangers, and that’s before the anaesthetic and being completely dependent on people you’ve just met.

I also shook uncontrollably - it’s a side effect of the spinal anaesthetic - and felt very anxious and panicky at times as the anaesthetic made my blood pressure drop. Although it’s completely natural to feel anxious anyway - you’re having a baby!

I can guarantee you all anybody in that theatre was thinking about was a safe mother and baby. No one was judging you at all. By the way, I also remember being very worried in the days after birth that I had made a fuss or embarrassed myself, much to DH’s bemusement. I think it’s a combination of hormones, being a woman and so being conditioned to want to be polite and to not make a fuss and starting to process the amazing but massive event birth is.

Hope you’re well. Flowers

Original poster
iverreacted · 28/11/2023 08:29

Anneta · 28/11/2023 07:53

I had an epidural for a major abdominal operation in my fifties and I felt just like you! I cried like a baby when they put the injection in my back and I panicked for hours afterwards because I was unable to feel my legs or move them. It’s a horrible experience to feel so helpless. Congratulations on the birth of your little one. Don’t feel embarrassed, just enjoy your baby x

Wow why not general?

OP posts: