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shadowfeet 
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 Topic: Fear of c/s
Posted: 24 March 2011 at 3:06pm |
So how do you get over that intense fear of having a c-section?
A bit of background, I think I've decided to go straight for the elective but am so scared of being able to feel it again. When I had surgery under a general for something else last year I was panicking at being wheeled into theatre but was knocked out before I could think too much, but being awake  . I had an emergency c/s with my DD and apparently have a sensitive layer in my belly so felt a lot of nervy pain during that so am so scared of it happening again.
Tell me it's not going to be that bad again?
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Emmi_
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Posted: 24 March 2011 at 7:56pm |
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Sorry chick, no advice, but hugs and love anyway x
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newme
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Posted: 24 March 2011 at 7:57pm |
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I have had two c-sections, and I felt absolutely no pain or anything like that with either of them.
With an elective there is no 'hurry', they take their time and are very very thorough in ensuring you are fully anesthetised.
When you have your OB appointment, ask if you can have an appointment with the anesthetist at the same time (I did this with my first c-section). They can go over it all with you and put your mind at ease.
You poor thing, try not to worry about it, it will all work out fine I am sure. A c-section can be a really positive birth experience.
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shadowfeet
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Posted: 25 March 2011 at 5:16pm |
Thanks Emmi 
I'm hoping that it'll be nice and painless. My MW has said that she'll be there with me before, during and after (last one left just while I was wheeled to theatre). I'm so hoping that by having a c/s I can avoid some of the separation that I had when DD was born. That's if we get to the 38 weeks which I'm hoping for.
Thanks Hila, it's great to hear that it can be a positive experience and hope I can go into this ready and excited to meet my baby instead of terrified of the experience.
Edited by shadowfeet
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MrsEmma
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Posted: 26 March 2011 at 3:56pm |
shadowfeet huge hugs to you 
I can relate to how you are feeling, I had an epi last time which only ever worked on one side so when I was rushed to theatre for a crash c-section, I could feel when they started 'working' and had to be put under a GA.
I agree with hila1 and see if you can meet with the anesthetist at the same time, that sounds like a really good plan.
I'm trying for a VBAC this time for many reasons, but one of them is that I'm quite scared of another c-section for that reason but I'm sure this time the situation will turn out so differently (positive thinking!) and things will be a LOT less rushed and all I will care about is meeting my baby - I can only hope the exact same for you
All the very best!
Edited by MrsEmma
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 26 March 2011 at 5:41pm |
Aww *hugs*
Ive also had 2 C Sections and I felt zilch! Was like someone was doing the dishes in my belly 
With DS it was an emergency and they just topped my epi up and said "Can you feel that" and I said "feel what?" and they said right good to go! Aparently the surgen was pinching my leg HARD with something lol I felt nothing.
My DD was an elective and Its such a different enviroment and a different room to a emergency CS. I walked in it was all very casual, laughed and joked with the staff, they got me sit on the bed and make a banana bend with my back and gave me a local then a spinal, and the spinal worked FAST, my butt felt hot and then prickly and then I was numb and they did the same thing the pinch test and then started
Its such a good atmosphere and the staff are really good at making you feel better, as I was terrified!!! I had mt sons CS going through my head but it was nothing like that at all.
My birth experience with DD was a lot better that DS, apart from the fact my DD was stuck very very stuck as I was 9 days over due when I had her, so they had a bit of trouble getting her out(forceps in the end) but over all, it was great!
You'll be totally fine and they wont start until you tell them you cant feel a thing, you'll be well looked after hun *hugs* - and expres to thme your fears/concerns, its good if they know.
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shadowfeet
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Posted: 26 March 2011 at 7:34pm |
MrsEmma - Thank you! I've heard so many bad epidural stories, and know mine was one of them, so horrible. If I thought it woud be possible for me to have a successful VBAC then I would, but am even more scared of things going tits up again with having labour and ending up as emergency and the tiredness that goes along with that. I know I'd be having the same interventions but no induction.
They stuffed up when they put the epidural in too, he put it too high so I couldn't breathe right the first time, then took it out and redid. Took quite a few goes to get it in the right place before putting the anaesthetic bit in. Eww, so not looking forward to it.
I'm seeing my OB monthly with frequent scans, monthly from now on. I was discussing with the OB the possibility of seeing how everything's going around 37 weeks, and either booking in for an elective for 38 weeks or breaking waters at the 38 weeks. So a possible VBAC between 37 and 38 weeks however unlikely that is. I like the idea of having a final end date 14 weeks away but it's going so quick.
Thanks for the reassurance Sheza, I love Isabella's birth story as compared to Caden's, such a good outcome second time around.
Do spinals generally work better than epidurals? Will have to discuss that with anaesthitist whenever I see them
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 26 March 2011 at 9:05pm |
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Yep I think they do, I have had both so I know the difference and the spinal was great and it worse off quicker in recovery so i could get mobile sooner, plus they put a sloe release morphine in with it which rocks.
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SpringBean
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Posted: 27 March 2011 at 6:33pm |
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Hi, elective ceasars are wonderful compared to emergencies. I had an elective for my third. The first was an emergency, the second a failed vbac. The elective was a birth that went according to plan. I wasn't tired, I looked great (compared to the others LOL) in pics as I wasn't all hot and sweaty. You walk in and lie down and shortly after the baby's out. Every one is calm and relaxed, so no rushing around which panics you. They even asked me what music I wanted to listen to while they worked. I said what ever keeps them happy! The great thing about an elective is that you arn't having contractions when the do the spinal. So they can take their time. When I had the epidural for my first, the contractions were 60 seconds apart and really sore, so the poor Dr. Had to lie me down and keep me still in the 60 sec. Tough job for anyone so no wonder there are so many poor women with failed epiduarals. Your recovery is also better. Only hours later I got up and felt fine. You will love the experience, and no episiotomy!
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Richie
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Posted: 27 March 2011 at 9:45pm |
I had an emergency CSec with my DD after 32hrs labour..... I was absolutely terrified and to be honest was a bit naive throughout my pregnancy and was convinced I was going to have a quick, drug free waterbirth. How wrong was I!
The Epi didn't work totally for me so ended up having a spinal cause I could still feel my belly (not ideal).
I had a pretty crap labour experience so when they eventually said 'the only way she is going to come out is if we do a CSec' I was like 'yea, whatever, just get her out!!'. They wheeled me into theatre and I got the shakes big time (which apparently is a side effect of the spinal?? I duno, can'treally remember) but I could not stay still, the top half of my body was shaking uncontrollably so DF had to hold one side of me and someone (can't remember who lol) held the other side of me. I didn't feel any pain at all throughout the procedure, but of course felt that something was going on in there.... like someone was rummaging for their keys in the bottom of a handbag (that's how the surgeon put it). Then as soon as I heard Isla cry, my shaking stopped and I was totally oblivious to what was going on and I wasn't worried by a thing.
Recovery post CSec was easy peasy as well. When I got home from hospital 4 days later, I was doing everything I normally would (other than driving, hanging washing and vacuuming etc) and my scar is barely visible anymore.
My MW told me that when I have #2, I will most likely have to have a CS again and that doesn't worry me in the slightest. I would much rather have a CSec than go through labour again! The CSec was a far more positive experience for me than labouring!
Good luck hun, I'm sure you'll be just fine
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mcshort
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Posted: 08 April 2011 at 11:06am |
 shadowfeet wrote:
Do spinals generally work better than epidurals? Will have to discuss that with anaesthitist whenever I see them |
Spinal blocks are much quicker and more effective than epidurals; to save you the gory details they just get straight in to where they need to be but the epidural is easier to control, however can be just as effective.
My first c/s they couldn't get the epidural needle in the right place so opted for a spinal, however because you get a local anaesthetic first I was blissfully unaware. That was the scariest part for me though (needle going in WHERE?!!!) and my midwife just put her forehead on mine and talked to me about how the baby's going to be here soon, focus on the baby etc and held my shoulders steady... I heart my midwife big time!!
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Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women!
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ginger
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Posted: 11 April 2011 at 2:06pm |
shadowfeet - where abouts are you based? I paid a private specialist to do my epidural when in labour with Cuinn (not sure how that works with an elective c-section though) and he was my hero. Quickest 600 odd bucks I've ever spent mind  He walked in, asked me to roll over, said count to whatever and boomfa. Done.
I'm having an elective this time too and I'm a bit scared, although I know it's the right decision (and DH has 6 weeks off work which is magic) - I think it's knowing that last time after 20 hours of a posterior labour and one veeery stuck baby, then having the c-section I didn't really care what happened. To go straight in this time knowing I'll be a bit more with it is a little bit freaky 
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Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00
Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41
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shadowfeet
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Posted: 11 April 2011 at 5:13pm |
Ouch ginger! That price is so far out of our affordability it's not funny, but that experience sounds great.
I know that an elective is the best decision for me, but I want to be mobile enough soon afterwards to visit the baby, probably in neonatal unit, even if it is in a wheelchair.
I have this feeling I'm going to be so much more assertive compared to last time. Probably right down to the anti-nausea drugs I want as soon as I feel nauseous. With DD I started vomiting the minute she was out and didn't stop feeling nauseous for 12 hours til they got the good drugs into my drip.
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mcshort
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Posted: 12 April 2011 at 6:53pm |
shadowfeet, have you written a birth plan?
even if it's just a few short lines like:
I want to try these positions during labour...
If x, y, z happens I want a caesarean
I want these drugs for pain relief... ideally given if ___ happens
I want skin-to-skin to happen (when) and (how long)
Whoever is attending the birth, I want to have these anti-nausea drugs ready so that it won't affect my bonding time with my baby
(I have plenty of tips on them...)
It's a legal requirement for your LMC to go through a birth plan with you, even if it's just decided where you'll be, who'll catch bubs and who cuts the cord. Then hopefully it's more likely that you'll have most of your wishes seen to.
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Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women!
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Manda08
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Posted: 14 April 2011 at 2:35pm |
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Sorry dumb question, difference between and Epidural and a Spinal??
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 14 April 2011 at 5:18pm |
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A spinal is injected into your back and no catheter is left in like with an epidural, so it cant be topped up, but its sooo much better than an epidural! It also wore off faster so I could move my legs in recovery which was good, meant I could get up and mobile a lot sooner.
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Manda08
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Posted: 15 April 2011 at 7:20pm |
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Oh great thanks for that. I have just been advised i need to have an elective c-section, bit freaked out but also quite glad.
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shadowfeet
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Posted: 16 April 2011 at 9:16pm |
Thanks mcshort, those are great suggestions.
I think at the moment I've discussed with my MW being open to a trial of labour if anything happens before a scheduled elective date. I really like my LMC this pregnancy but the care is very shared. I'm on the borderline of 3rd trimester now, and didn't see my LMC last pregnancy for a discussion about anything in the 3rd trimester so didn't get to birth plans, or routine blood tests etc with anyone.
Will definitely be insisting on appointments this time around, but will be interesting to see how often she wants to see me when I start weekly hospital monitoring in a few weeks.
I think for me to want a trial of labour there would have to be good progression and a reasonable chance of success during the labour. So can't decide. Changing my mind every week at the moment, but that's ok because I don't have to make the decision for ages!
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InthemiddleMummy
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Posted: 23 April 2011 at 10:59pm |
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I had a spinal for my elective c/section with d2 didnt feel a thing.
I was actually 4cm dialated & having 5min apart contractions as was 36wks they classed it as emergency but it was all the calm & casual cruizee approach of a planned c/section.
I didnt have an epidural for my vb with D1. Just a local injection in the region, pethidine gas. So cant compare it to a epidural.
I found my c/section an amazing exciting enjoyable experience, the anethitis droped the screen & lifted my head as she was pulled out. passed to the MW and the MW showed her to me and she went for a minute over to the peaditrician check was 10/10 and brought straight back to me for a b./f cuddle while I got all stitched up.
she stayed skin to skin for 3hours after the c/sect birth it was lovely I had the energy to hold her as I didnt after d1 vb.
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P&E'S Mum
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Posted: 26 April 2011 at 3:18pm |
I had an emergency csection with my daughter due to non-progressing labour.
After a very long pre-labour, finally dialating to 10cms, then pushing for 2.5 hours, bubs was getting distressed so the decision was made to go to theatre to use forceps, then by the time we got in there it was straight to a c-section.
Such a surreal feeling, very hard to describe it to someone that hasn't experienced it, and I am terrified because I have been told that my next baby will probably need to be an elective.
I had a pretty good experience, but am still very scared, and I am not even pregnant yet! 
it does slightly reassure me when people say that the electives are alot calmer and nicer than emergency c-sections.
Question though, my surgeon said to me afterwards that they recommend waiting around 2 years before getting pregnant again, but have heard very conflicting opinions on this. Has anyone else heard that, I assume it is so your stomach/body has adequate time to heal propely?
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Fear of c/s
