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c-section question

paulaDPTpaulaDPT
in VBAC

I know you all are wanting a vaginal delivery after a C-section, but I wasn't sure where else to ask this as there isn't a "c-section" board.

 Anyways-my question is if you do have a C-section, are you always conscious and hearing everything that goes on? I'm absolutely horrified of being awake during surgery and am afraid of passing out on my own, but also don't want to be drugged up and miss my baby being born.  I'm not scheduled for a C-section currently, so I may be worried prematurely, but I may have some complications that would result in needing a C-section (being tested for HELLP and Choleostasis-I find out today)...

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.  Thank You. 

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Re: c-section question

  • smiling76smiling76 member

    No problem--you are right in that we've all had one--so we're good to ask.  You will be awake as long as it's not a last-minute emergency where your baby is at major risk and they just knock you out.  I mean, maybe you can request you be knocked out but I wouldn't. 

    They give you a spinal to numb you and then will give you some oxygen and monitor your blood pressure and stuff--tons of docs and nurses in the room to make sure you do ok.  Actually, the nurses were awesome--I was somewhat in shock and nervous since mine was somewhat of an emergency but had enough time to do a spinal so I could be awake---and they made it as great as they could.

    I HIGHLY recommend deep breathing--it slows your heart rate--and will make everything else calm.  I was doing that quietly and they all kept saying they've never seen anyone so calm...but I knew I'd start panicking if I didn't.  I was nervous that something had already happened to DS--so I was very stressed. 

     

    GL to you---hope you don't need a c/s but if you do--it's not the end of the world---I do recommend reading up on it and doing what they say to do.

     


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  • papagenapapagena member

    It really depends on your situation.  Like pp mentioned, unless it is an emergency situation, most likely you will be aware.  I know that has freaked people out in the past, but, in my experience, I wasn't really afraid of that at all. 

    The nurses that were in there made me more than comfortable as I was getting prepped - they chatted and kept me in good spirits.  Even the anesthesiologist was nice and conversational as he got me ready.  I was aware of what was going on around me, but honestly wasn't overly focused on the fact I was having surgery as on the fact I was about to see my little boy for the first time.  I wasn't even overly aware of any of the pulling sensations that I thought I'd feel.  Since mine wasn't a truly emergency surgery (not a planned c/s, but we were all stable, not in labor and doing just fine) DH was in the room sitting right by my head after they gave me the spinal.  They made sure it had taken and actually started before I was aware everything was happening.

    Good luck with the test results - and hope you don't need to worry about the c/s - but honestly, the c/s and actual recovery was very far from traumatic for me, just not what I'd wanted.  :)

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  • lorryfachlorryfach

    I had never had surgery before other than having my wisdom teeth removed, and I was really, really not expecting a c/s so I had no clue what to expect. I was awake, I did feel some pulling sensations, but it wasn't scary at all. If anything, it was a bit awkward because I didn't really have anything to do but lie there and think about seeing my baby soon. Like PP mine was unplanned but not an emergency, but it still happened very quickly? less than 15 minutes.

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  • iris427iris427 member

    I was awake and could hear a lot going on, but it was kind of surreal.  I think they may have given me a medicine in my IV to keep me calm--I wasn't drugged up and I didn't miss the birth but helped me relax.  So that's something you can ask for if you're nervous.  I could feel a LOT of pulling, pressure, etc. but I had a c/s after a long labor and my daughter was wedged pretty far down in my pelvis--if you have a planned c/s that won't be the case.  

    Honestly, I wasn't paying that much attention to the actual surgery.  You have distractions--like your new baby.  Also you can't see the surgery because there is a drape up, so that helps.

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  • akbride25akbride25 member

    I had an unusual experience with my c/s. I over-dosed on the drugs, and woke up two hours later with a baby girl. The anesthesiologist said that it was unusual, but he had to reverse the drugs he gave me. The same thing had happened before with my epidural a few hours before except I didn't pass out that time.

    It was sad to miss my daughter's birth, but I'm thankful it wasn't general anesthesia because my husband was still present for the birth. He tried to take a few short videos on our camera. The one thing I would definitely do if I had to have a c/s again would be to have a video camera so my husband could record more of our child's first few hours.

                                                                             
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  • BlindysWifeBlindysWife member

    I was awake during my c/s, and even though I could tell there was a lot of hustle and bustle with the doc/nurses etc, I tried to ignore it and stay focused on DH who was right next to me holding my hand. The anesthesiologist was standing behind my head the whole time, and asked how I was feeling every couple minutes. So, althought it was unexpected and a bit scary, everyone did their best to make it relaxed and baby-focused. And, as pp said, there is a sheet up blocking you from seeing what is going on with the surgery.

    Don't worry, mama! Hopefully you'll avoid having this experience at all. GL! :)


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  • paulaDPTpaulaDPT

    Thanks for sharing ladies.  I've dodged a bullet for now, my labs have come back normal.  Instead I found out that I may be having my gall bladder removed instead...an entirely different surgery all together...!!!

     I'm not out of the woods for a C-section as I have gestational diabetes, but I feel the odds are better in my favor now.

     Thanks again! 

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  • steve&heathersteve&heather

    I was conscious throughout my c-section, I wasn't always awake though. I was induced at 9 am that morning, but didn't actually get into the OR for the c/s until after 11pm because we worked really hard to get DS out vaginally. I was exhausted by the time they got me into the OR. The anesthesiologist drugged me up pretty well (turned my epidural back on and loaded me up with meds) and I was under strict orders to say if I felt anything. I ended up feeling the pressure of the retractors and I said so, everyone (even the OB) stopped and he gave me another injection of drugs and I dozed pretty much the rest of the time (I roused when DS was born).

    It wasn't bad, I was scared but pretty relaxed thanks to the medicines. The doctors and nurses tend to keep their talking quiet as well. 

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