Panic attacks are starting...

Mama Jan

This is my third baby, my third c-section.  I've had great c/s experiences before, easy recoveries, no major issues but each time I've had to get a spinal I've had panic attacks.  I nearly blacked out with DS2, my bp crashed and DS2's HR crashed as well.  They had me prepped for general anesthesia within minutes but we both recovered from the panic attack so I was able to stick with just the spinal. Post surgery, I've had no anxiety issues...

I don't know why I do this.  There isn't anything in particular I'm worried about, I'm not dwelling on any "what ifs", but the second I start thinking about a spinal I start getting panicky and clammy, my HR sky rockets, sometimes even start to black out.

So now that my c/s is this week I'm totally an emotional wreck.  Just sent the boys off to the park with DH and sat on the couch and cried.  So ready for the c/s to be over and just have my baby and move on to the next stage in our lives.

No reason for this post, not looking for advice.  Just need to tell someone how stressed I am  

Sascha3

I had extreme anxiety about the epidural.  I almost black out often with shots and things like that.  I got a half dose of dilaudid 2 hours before my epi and one of the reasons I did it was that I would be more relaxed for the epi.  And it totally worked, although despite feeling nothing during the epi, I still had a BP crash 5 minutes later and almost passed out and was given oxygen.  I tricked myself into no panic attack before but my body decided to have one anyways:/

theladyjess

Is it the loss of motor control (not being able to use your legs) that makes you panic?  I know that if I couldn't feel my legs, and thus couldn't run in an emergency, could cause me some anxiety.  Being strapped to a table unable to move totally goes against the body's fight or flight response and that could be causing some of your anxitey.

Talk to your dr now and explain to them what happens and ask if there is anything they can do to help you with the anxiety.  Perhaps taking some medicine such as a sediative, antianxiety drug or muscle relaxer will help ease some of the anxious feelings and make the spinal go more smoothly.  If you think having your husband there for support would help then let them know and don't allow the hosptial staff to seperate you.

 

megaloo27

So obviously I'm no expert but I'm curious if they could give you something to relax before hand? What about laughing gas or something? Have you mentioned it to your doctor? I'm sorry you have to deal with this, I would be stressed too

Mama Jan

Oh sorry, I should add that I was given a sedative with both boys and I'm completely fine during the surgery.  I really don't know what it is that causes the anxiety -- maybe just that I'm so visual and can't help but picture in my head what they're doing with the spinal?  But if that's the case, wouldn't the surgery itself cause more anxiety?  I don't know...

The sedative they have given me is amazing - I remember both births completely, but I was totally relaxed and maybe just a little bit goofy.

It's just these next few days I need to get through and then once I'm on the operating table I know I'll be fine! 

mrs_kelly1014

My spinal with my RCS sucked and took many tries and I was blacking out and close to passing out so they had me sniffing the smelling salt things to keep me awake. I will totally have anxiety over the next one (if there IS a next one). 

 The good news is that it's relatively quick and you'll be holding your baby soon! I'm sorry you are so anxious about it.  

SoonToBeMsP

::hugs::