C Section

jsalerno11

I'm 33 weeks and my doctor just told me I am going to have to have a c section! I suffer from anxiety and I am freaking out about being awake during surgery. I'm so scared I'm going to have a panic attack that day! I understand it's for the safety for my baby and myself but I can't knock this anxious feeling! Is this normal?? Any ideas on how to cope?

jwagne12

I m having a rcs and I am still anxious about it even though I know what it entails. So it is perfectly normal to feel anxious. Tell your doctor any of your concerns, they should answer any of your questions. You just have to remember that you trust your doctor and that is what is best for your baby. And that it is all worth it. I know the thought of being awake for it is scary, but trust me you won't really feel anything. Except for A LOT of pressure, but it shouldn't hurt. You will be very happy to be awake once they pull baby out and you get to see them for the first time!

amylou512

I am also 33 weeks and am facing the real possibility of a c-section (baby is breach, and I have marginal placenta previa). So thinking I should be prepared, I read up on it a bit this morning and suddenly I was sobbing and having a minor panic attack. I can't imagine what I'll be like the day of the procedure, I just know I'll be scared out of my mind.

I can only think of two positives about the whole thing: 1) I'll still have a baby, and 2) I'll be able to schedule the surgery and won't have that element of not knowing when it'll happen.

sarahjensen33

I will be having my 3rd c-section with this baby and I've been having so many stress dreams about it! There is a curtain so you won't see anything at all. You will feel the pressure, which is totally weird, and then you hear the baby cry. It is so quick! You are going to be nervous no matter what. Just remember to breathe and before you know it, your beautiful baby will be in your arms!
If you can handle it, u-tube c-sections...

jmacd22

I could still feel everything so they had to put me all the way under but I'm trying for VBAC and if baby is not born by due date then we will schedule c-section. If I have to get one I would like to be awake for it to have a better first contact experience. I was so drowsy from being taken all the way out once I woke up I saw the baby and then just went back to sleep.

WDDCH

I once followed the blog of a momma who had five cesareans and she had so many lists and helpful ideas. I'll see if I can find her link. She stopped blogging but I think she left the blog up for people.

Also, watch this beautiful cesarean video and see if it helps you feel more empowered and less out-of-control: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m5RIcaK98Yg
(If link doesn't work search for gentle cesarean on YouTube.)

ETA: video is graphic

WDDCH

Blog is adventuresindiapering.blogspot.com

She has a tab near the top that says C-Sections. HTH!

linziecro

This will be my third and with the last I had a full blown panic attack during the operation. It was super scary, i felt like i couldnt breathe and thought i was going to die. The anesthesiologist was able to add some meds to my iv to calm me very quickly and gave me gas. I recovered pretty much right away after delivery and was able to hold and bond with baby just fine after. Talk about it with your Dr and they will make sure there is a plan in place especially if you've had panic attacks before. I have already talked to my Dr about it and he assured me they can help and support me if needed during delivery again this time.

rebeccabloomwood

Totally normal. I'm stressed too! Had a csection with my first and trying for VBAC but could end up with a cesarean again. The process was fairly straight forward but maybe asking your doctor about certain details will help ease your mind. You could ask here but so many hospitals do things differently that you'll get a mix of answers. I'm detail oriented so hearing details of things causing me stress helps to ease my anxiety of the unknown.

celiacmama

Totally normal! I am facing my third RCS - first due to macrosomia & CPD, second attempted VBAC but at 42 weeks had no choice but to RCS. I am most anxious about this time because I just know the drill now and there is no what if. But staying calm is half the battle. I plan to talk to my OB and anesthesia about giving me something to calm me down because I also panic and pass out. 

jsalerno11

Thank you everyone! I'm definitely going to talk with my doctor about my fear of having a panic attack during the c section to prepare him in advance as well! I'm trying not to stress now since I still have a month left haha but I can only imagine how I'll be when it's almost here! I just keep telling myself my baby will be here at the end of it and that's what matters!

str13

Maybe you could also talk with your OB about maybe writing you something for anxiety for the day of your c-section? I don't know if he'd want to or not, but it might help you cope with all the stress that day. Since you'll schedule your c-section you would know exactly when to take it.

martruby

I'm going to be having my 3rd c-section in about 3 weeks. The surgery itself isn't bad, you'll just feel a little pressure but I'll bet it's nowhere near the pain others feel when they push a watermelon through a hole the size of a lemon! The pressure itself will just feel like somebody's tugging at your tummy and that in itself will only last about 2-3 minutes. Total time of surgery is probably 10 minutes? Honestly, recovery is the hardest part. Don't sweat the surgery. Just breathe and focus on your prize at the end :x