Scared of C-section. How did you alleviate your fears?

Flowerstar1023

So I more than likely will have to have a c-section. I am super scared of the complications of this. How did you alleviate your fears ahead of time in the weeks, days, hours leading up to it?

PugsandKisses

Well, what kind of fears?
my first c/s was emergent and was rough but no complications. My second was scheduled and a easy. I felt great with pretty much no pain and no bleeding.

Flowerstar1023

@PugsandKisses

Things like hemorrhage, amniotic fluid embolism, etc.

jnnfrrose6

Complications happen with vaginal births too. You can't dwell on something you can't control. Focus on being healthy through the end of,your pregnancy and do as your doctors and nurses advise in recovery and you'll be fine. The excitement of having your baby will also help overcome your fears during the delivery too.

PugsandKisses

I did labor and delivery before my current job. I only seen one amniotic emolism, and it was not in a c/s. Most of my hemorrhage were vaginal deliveries due to retained placenta.
As for other things, there is an anesthesia provider as your head with a giant cart full of medicine for any issue that may arise.


Seriously, step away from google or what ever worst case book you are reading. I never had thode and my patients were high risk.

PhillyGal34

What about a spinal wearing off? It happened to my friend this week and I'm wondering how common it is.

HeavenBlessedMom

I've had 2.. one with a singleton and 1 with triplets. . Both were awesome. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat

PugsandKisses

@PhillyGal34 , I never had that happen to a patient either.
most spinal last 3-4 hours. The average C/S from door to door is 1 hour.

PhillyGal34

Thanks @PugsandKisses I never really thought of it and then it happened to her of course one week before mine. She had to fer all these crazy meds and was knocked out for hours!!

Flowerstar1023

Thanks all. I'm a doctor (not an ObGyn) so you think I'd be rational about these rare things - but seeing some of them and hearing about others over the years makes me scared. 

HeavenBlessedMom

I did severely hemmorrage with the triplets. . Lost 35% of my blood, but the drs were fabulous. They did not need to do the hysterectomy in the end, had me in recovery expelling blood for 8 hours, did not do a transfusion, & I was back to good a new shortly. It was scarier for my husband who watched all the blood being taken out of the OR.

PugsandKisses

@HeavenBlessedMom
that is so scary. triplets are a high risk any way.

@Flowerstar1023
omg, you know better than to look at the worst case scenario! The ere is a huge difference from 'informed consent' and 'hey you can die from having your ingrown toe fixed'. Plus Drs and nurses (me) make the worst patients. Ever. And I will be sending you a pm.

michellersayer

just concentrate on your husband or boyfriend or whoever is with you. I had 2 c sections and even the second time I was in tears so afraid. but it lasted 15 min and I was asleep before I knew it in the recovery room. my second time around I was feeling wonderful on the second day! moving around showering bending over with no problems! good luck!!

emaddock

I have to admit--I was totally chill until recently.  I am 25 weeks and will deliver at 38 weeks via c-section.  This is my third c-section, but first planned.  The idea is starting to make me nervous. I have an appointment wtih my OB tomorrow and will chat.

vpine

I had c section (twin girls) 3 wks ago and had no issues. I wanted c section over vaginal birth though. I didn't read much about complications in advance and only saw 1 c section video online so I wouldn't be worried about things going wrong. The worst part was the spinal/epidural combo, I hate needles. Was given plenty of pain meds afterwards so recovery/abdominal pain has been easy peasy for me, scar almost gone too. I've lost 31 lbs in 3 weeks too. I do recommend you wear abdominal binder and also take the meds prescribed. I know some stop taking them after a day or two but should listen to Dr.

fatcat11188

I may have to have a section and I am petrified as well!  

Jame414

I completely understand all the fears. I've been there. I had to have emerg csection. It's generally the fear of the unknown that is the worst. I can assure you that there are worse things. Try to relax!

elliejosmomma

Mine wasn't an emergency but it wasn't planned either... What alleviated my fears was knowing that this was the safest way to get the baby out for her and myself not to mention it meant I got meet her asap... Just do what they tell and take a deep breath

MamaOwl15

I had a c-section with my son. I was scared to death, but it went well and I had no pain during the operation, and minimal pain during recovery.

Flowerstar1023

So to come back to my post, I ended up having a c-section on April 1st because our little breech baby broke my water in the middle of the night three weeks early. Knowing what to expect from "You'll get an IV, they'll shave the surgical site, the spinal will just sting for a little bit and then you'll get warm and numb really quickly, and you will feel a lot of pressure but no pain as baby comes out and then when they're fixing you back up" was really helpful. It also really helped me to tell the nurses and doctors taking care of me that I was nervous so that they could explain things as they happened and help with my fears. Good luck to all!