Panic Attacks...

Phoebe623 · September 2011

So, today I got the news that baby is estimating 9lb13oz and even though my doctor will allow me to labor prior to going to the knife, I have lost some of my confidence in a vaginal delivery.

I told my husband today that "I cannot push a 10lb baby out, and I don't think I can lay on a table wide awake knowing someone is cutting..."

So here goes my question, were any of you able to have some type of anti-anxiety medication during the procedure? I am terrified that I will not be able to control my anxiety in the case of a c-section.

I know I need to get a more positive attitude as it makes all the difference, but right now I am low on courage and high on anxiety!!

Thanks for any feedback about your stories!

pepomntpat · September 2011

First of all those estimates can be way off. So don't worry about that. And you can push a baby out. In most cases if your body made it your body can push it out!

I know for my c/s I did not have any anti-anxiety medication, but I was so out of it, it didn't matter. I think I was in shock and it was over before I realized it was happening. I do not think anxiety is unusual though, so just ask your doctor what you options are. I am sure you won't be the first.

Phoebe623 · September 2011

Thanks for your encouragement.

I know I still have a chance for vaginal birth, but tonight I am lurking and researching the alternative to try to calm myself down a bit!

lite-bright · September 2011

FWIW, weight estimates are notoriously unreliable.

You would really have to ask your OB, and he or she would probably have to ask the anesthesiologist, since that's their area of specialty. You don't want to risk complications for you or baby from from medicinal interactions.

I will say from my own experience, I was really nervous and scared to the point of tears and shaking as they were prepping me for the c/s -- even though I'd had weeks to prepare and knew that it was getting more and more likely because my breech baby was not turning on her own, and still had not turned when my water broke.

But once I was actually on the table, waiting for the spinal to take effect, I felt much calmer. Maybe it was that it was the point of no return, maybe it was that the drugs in the spinal had some kind of soothing effect (although I never felt less than lucid), maybe I just made peace with it at that point -- but I was able to relax and feel like it really was a joyful moment when my DD2 was born, even though I would've preferred a vaginal birth.

kjennnn · September 2011

Yes- I had a C with my son who was measuring big, so we opted for one with him too. I talked to OB and anesthesiologist and told them my fears, and anest.assured me that if I panicked they could put something in the IV asap to calm me dowm. I think that it had to be done after the baby was out though (only about 9 mins to get DS out).

Eventhough I didn't panic, they did give me something right after DS was delivered and I barely remember being stiched up and wheeled to recovery, and remember being very calm in recovery. It ended up being a good thing bc DS has some issues and ende dup in NICU and I was MUCH calmer handling them with some sedative in me!! The only bad part was that his birth is a little foggy to me...but I think i'd request it again honestly.

KerryHS · September 2011

I have had three c-sections. For the first two I was in full labor so there was no panic. If your doctor is going to let you go into labor, the chances are you won't be in a panic if you have to have a c-section. Labor and the baby just take over your emotions - you will just be concentrating on what is best for the baby. Honestly, you will stop thinking about yourself and only just want what is best for the baby.

For the last baby it was a planned c-section and I didn't go into labor and I was very nervous. You would think I would not be nervous since I had been through it twice before, but I really was. Not being in labor gave me too much time to think Smile .

However, once I had the spinal and I was in the OR I started focusing again on the baby and it was AMAZING. It was so calm. It was almost peaceul. The doctors and nurses were fantastic and I got to stay with the baby the whole time. My time in recovery was better because I hadn't gotten exhausted by labor first.

Either way- I wish you all the best with your delivery and either way I hope you have a happy and healthy baby. Good Luck!

shibby00 · September 2011

I had a panic attack during my c/s, I freaked out. They gave me something through the IV and I don't remember anything until 6:00 AM the next morning (DD was born at 10:13 PM). I labored for 18 hours and pushed for 3.75 before the c/s. I hate that I don't remember nursing DD in recovery or anything (there are videos so I know it happened, but I don't remember it.) GL.

shall923 · September 2011

lite-bright:
I will say from my own experience, I was really nervous and scared to the point of tears and shaking as they were prepping me for the c/s -- even though I'd had weeks to prepare and knew that it was getting more and more likely because my breech baby was not turning on her own, and still had not turned when my water broke.
But once I was actually on the table, waiting for the spinal to take effect, I felt much calmer.

This is almost exactly my experience. I have no regrets and it turned out to be a very easy deliver.

Good luck.

bethm03 · September 2011

My first was an emergency c-section but with my second I knew the whole time that I would more than likely end up with another one. I had major anxiety/panic towards the end and was a total mess. I didn't think I would be able to do it. I prayed so hard that things would go smoothly. When the time came I was calmer than I thought I would be but still a mess. Everyone in the OR probably thought I was a whack job because I explained everything I was feeling and then asked if it was normal! But the anesthesiologist is right there the whole time to give you something extra for nerves if you need it. Good luck and maybe you won't even have to have a c-section.

giantsgirl55 · September 2011

I had a scheduled c-section, Jake was a breech baby.

I am notoriously clostrophobic, after Jake was delivered, DH had to leave to take Jake to the nursery.

I then had a full blown panic attack, I remember telling the anesthesiologist "I have to go now...get me out of here"

He shot me up with something...have no idea what, but calmed me down. The only downside was that I had to wait for the drugs to wear off, in order for them to wheel me to the nursery to see Jake.

I don't believe that they are going to give you anything before the surgery, but if you do have a melt-down they will. Take care and good luck.

magdalina.h · September 2011

With my first I was in shock that I was having an emergency c/s that it didn't phase me. With my second I was nervous because I knew what they were going to be doing, but once I had the spinal and they started I didn't even think about it. The anesthesiologist and the nurses were talking to me and then the room got quiet as my OB started to lift Lucas out.

bulbasaur359 · September 2011

Hi, I'm sorry your really stressed out about all of this. I do have to say from experience that my growth u/s with my daughter was pretty accurate. She was measuring at 9 lbs at 37 wks. My OB decided that the best course of action was a scheduled C-Section. I didn't want to risk her head or shoulders getting stuck so I agreed. The week leading up to my surgery I was a complete nervous wreck. Truth is though that I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and had been off my meds the whole pregnancy as I had heard bad things about them. I did ok until I found out about surgery. I didn't really sleep much the 2 days prior to it and even told my SIL the morning before I left that I couldn't do it. Of course though I did and my daughter is perfectly healthy. I don't regret the C-Section at all as I know it was the safest for her. I know I could've tried to have her vaginally but didn't want to risk it. Btw, she was 9lbs 14 oz at birth. I don't know if my GD had something to do with it or not though as my numbers had been ok up until the end. You will get through the birth of your baby whichever way it works out and you'll be fine. Please relax and enjoy your last days of being pregnant. I wish I had relaxed more.

wendymichelle77 · September 2011

I have panic attacks anyways. So when it came up that I had to have an emergency c-section due to Pre-eclampsyia and HELLP syndrome I started freaking. When the anthestesiologist (sp?) came in to talk to me before the spinal I told him about my anxiety. He told me he couldn't give me anything until they got the baby out, but said as soon as he was out he could "juice me." I told him that would be fabulous. Well, I got juiced and it was a good thing. DS came out with a weak cry and ended up in the NICU for two hours. They woke me up because I was snoring (SNORING) on the ER table while they were stitching me up. So I missed the drama with my son (thank the Lord), and avoided a panic attack too. Just make sure to talk to your doctor and the anethes....about your fear. I'm sure they can offer you something to help.

smerka · September 2011

I'm prone to panic attacks in general so I asked about it. I started to feel like I couldn't breathe on the table. They told me I couldn't have anything until he was delivered. As soon as he was out, the doctor gave me something and I was fine. It didn't effect me being able to see my son.

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