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Original poster

Elective C section. Terrified!!!!

23 replies

Burtring · 24/01/2009 19:38

I am due to have an elective C section in two weeks due to a medical condition. I had an emergency section 14 months with my first baby. This time I feel absolutely terrified. I keep thinking I am going to die. Is this normal?

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scifinerd · 24/01/2009 19:46

Please try not to worry. Elective sections are a world away from emergency sections. I have had three and they have all been incredibly relaxed, pain free and actually quite pleasant. I have had no bad birthing experiences from my electives unlike many many mums. They really are chilled affairs and highly unlikely to go wrong as it is not rushed. I think pregnancy can make you overthing and worry about things. I know as a serious worrier how you can build things up in your head but you should be more than fine. I hope that is reassuring.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 24/01/2009 19:48

It is totally different from an enmergency. Mine was very calm, the team were great explained everything and it was a lovely experience.

Lulumama · 24/01/2009 19:48

thinking you are going to die is not normal BUT a lot of women have high anxiety aroudn their birth

if you ahd a traumatic first c section then you are most likely panicking more this time

a planned c.s is a much more chilled and relaxed c.s than an emergency one

if you are really terribly anxious, please ask your midwife/consultant perhaps to refer you to someone to help you relax and get through your fears

all the best!

tengreenbottles · 24/01/2009 20:47

try to remember that a planned CS is like any planned surgery ,everything is there ready, there is time to ask questions ,get comfy etc . I have been privellaged to see both happen ,and the difference between an emergency and a planned CS is immense. Speak to your midwife and get some reassurance .

ticklytum · 26/01/2009 09:16

hi burtring ive had both and the planned was miles better and relaxed i think because mentally prepared, and recovered quicker. dont worry too much just talk about to your consultant alot. i find this time round it helped me alot although i still want to try for vbac but still have booked a elective section at 39 weeks as i am too big with two large babies previously!

mrsmontano · 26/01/2009 12:10

i felt exactly the same, i'd get quite tearfull about the thought of the surgery and leaving my children behind if anything were to go wrong. silly thoughts i know but i totally get where you're coming from.

well I had my elective section 2 weeks ago and it was fine, like everyone's said, there's a world of difference from an emergency section, and i wouldnt be too worried about having another elective in the future now.
good luck

mumoverseas · 26/01/2009 12:28

It will be fine. As said above, a HUGE difference between an emergency and an elective CS. Obviously knowing it is going to happen will make you a bit anxious but I promise it will be so much calmer and relaxed than your last one. I've had 2 elective CS's and am having another (THIS WILL BE MY LAST!) in 13 days, so around the same time as you. Please don't be worry, be relaxed, calm and enjoy the experience of meeting your little one when you are not exhausted/stressed/unconcious!

auntyspan · 26/01/2009 13:00

I'm due to have an elective at the end of Feb after an emergency section 3 years ago. I'm dreadfully scared about it - everything from the spinal to the recovery - and of course of what might go wrong. I have few memories of last time which I think is making it worse!

Everyone I have spoken to says that an elective is so much better than an emergency one.... I'm going to deck them ALL if it's not true!

LilRedWG · 26/01/2009 13:04

My elective section was a lovely experience. DH had skin to skin with DD and sat next to me the whole time. The medical team were absolutely wonderful.

It will be nothing like an emergency one. The panic is not there for you or the doctors and you will not be exhausted from labour. Everyone is happy and excited. If I were to have another child I'd have another no problems.

HTH a little.

Divineintervention · 26/01/2009 13:07

You can get busy making a CD to take your mind off it all....I did find my first frightening tbh, but the baby had to come out. I have had 4 sections, first with an epidural emergency, second GA emergency and the last two elective.

Divineintervention · 26/01/2009 13:08

PS I, too, thought I was going to die and therefore get married four days before the last one!

pinkgrapefruitjuice · 07/07/2010 15:52

Wanted to resurrect this thread, just been to sign consent forms for elective cs next week...

Am absolutely terrified about the whole thing, am nervous at the dentist, never mind a major op! worrying about everything, from being numb from chest down for 4 hours and not being able to run away, to the pain of the recovery.

Ended up with emergency cs last time and by that point was out of it, exhausted and didnt care, this time will be wide awake and terrified, plus I now have a whole week to worry about it. Any reassurance/top tips are welcome!

Wheelybug · 07/07/2010 16:05

pinkgrapefruit - I had a 'sort of' elective followin an emergency and like you, with the first was too tired/stressed to care and didn't remember too much about it.

Second time, I was trying for VBAC but hind waters went and I was given 48 hrs to go into labour which I didn't and sort of knew I wouldn't so had to go in for an elective.

I was terrified too. Who wouldn't be really - it is a major op. I had to sign all the consent forms whilst being prepped for theatre and I sobbed through them because I was so scared.

But honestly, it was fine. My worst bit was having a really sore blood test done just before I had the canula put in and that was before the spinal. I also react to the spinal and it really lowers my blood pressure and makes me go v. wobbly but once it gets going you have something to focus on and once the baby is born (as you know, v. quicly into the procedure) that takes your mind off what is going on.

The feeling came back to me quite quickly. It may have been 4 hours but it really didn't feel like it and I was soon munching on sandwiches. And yes, the recovery is a pain but remember to keep going on the pain killers and get mobile as soon as possible.

I expect you'll be fine once it gets going - its the thought of it. Good luck !

pinkgrapefruitjuice · 07/07/2010 16:57

Thank you Wheelybug, that is so helpful. I had the shakes really badly after the spinal last time, thought it was nerves but thats interesting what you say about reacting to the spinal.
The forms were so scary and the list of risks made me think, what would happen to my ds if I was injured badly... dont blame you for sobbing, I just have..

Thanks for your encouragement.

strandedatsea · 07/07/2010 17:07

pinkgrapefruitjuice - I have had two electives and they have both been incredibly positive experiences.

I also got the shakes really badly from the spinal, plus my blood pressure dropped a lot, but I was on cloud nine from the morphine gorgeous little baby girl I was holding, so didn't care one jot!

It helped me to do a bit of a birth plan in advance. I asked for the screen to be lowered so I could see the birth. I wanted to identify the sex. I wanted to have a cd of music I had chosen (which I managed the first time; the 2nd time I was so worried about leaving dd1 I totaly forgot the music...).

You will be absolutely FINE. Please don't worry and focus on the baby you will soon be seeing..

pinkgrapefruitjuice · 07/07/2010 18:07

Thanks stranded.

You were brave getting the screen lowered, not sure I can cope with that but good idea to have birth plan, think I would like to identify the sex and music would be good too.

You are right, I should focus on the baby more than the op/risks, that will help I think.

lovechocolate · 08/07/2010 09:38

I completely understand the nerves /fear about having it done. I had an elective c section because of a medical condition too.

I was so scared going into theatre waiting for them to start. I wish I knew in advance that the first drugs they gave me would completely chill me out and all the nerves and fear disappeared! Was then a pain free and calm experience.

A nurse allowed us to take a camera in and she took photos of the birth as obviously could not see what was going on. Amazing photos, would definately recommend asking if a nurse will take photos for you.

Am having another c section in a few months and after experiencing one have no apprehension about it at all this time. Good luck!

Wheelybug · 09/07/2010 19:53

Yes agree with stranded about a birth plan - I too had the screen lowered so that we could be the first ones to see 'what she was' as I had had to wait ages before anyone thought to tell me what dd1 was (even dh forgot and the anaesthetist went and found out for me !). When the screen is lowered you don't see anything of what is going on. It really was a great moment seeing dd1 come up and one of the things I remember most of her birth.

Wheelybug · 09/07/2010 19:54

That shouyld read that DH forgot to come and tell me - not that he forgot what sex she was .

Shaz10 · 09/07/2010 19:59

The shakes is from the adrenaline they give you if you're feeling sick/dizzy etc. That's what I had!

PS my ElCS was ace, really chilled out. Just keep taking the drugs.

BibiThree · 09/07/2010 20:03

I've had both an emergency and elective cs and I can say hand on heart - as a woman who was on these boards back in 2004, crying and asking for advice because she was so terrified she'd die/lose her baby/have to have a cs - the elective was SO, SO much better.
It is v relaxed, pain free and I didn't feel a thing, not even the "rummaging" feeling some people describe. My blood pressure did drip after the spinal which made me feel woozy, but then I got oxygen which made me feel amazing.
Please try not to worry too much, your fears are normal. Speak to your midwife, your consultant, the scrub nurses etc, they will help keep you calm. Honestly.

Phoenix · 09/07/2010 20:30

I had an emergency cs in 2006 and this time last year I was scared to death about my impending cs the next day .

It was a very positive experience and there was absolutely no need to be so scared. It was so much calmer and relaxing than the emergency one. The nurses and doctors were all very nice and explained everything.

I'm not sure if it was because my body knew what to expect or because it was an elcs or what but i recovered so much quicker than the emcs and had very little pain after a few days.

I still can't believe it was a whole year ago

Hope everything goes well for you

pinkgrapefruitjuice · 10/07/2010 14:15

Thank you so much, all of you, for the reassurance. Its so helpful to hear your experiences and to know that my fears are normal.

Im really intrigued now as to what drugs they give you? I like the idea that its something to chill me out.

Will definately put in my birthplan for nurse to take photos and for me to discover sex of the baby. Also booked in a session of hypnotherapy the day before to prepare my head a little.

Thanks again for your posts. I cant wait to hold her/him

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