anxiety/claustrophobia during c-sec

leshoequeen · June 2012

My first C-sec was an emergency after about 30 hours of labor. I was so exhausted that I didn't start to feel really claustrophobic until they were almost done and when I mentioned it to the anesthesiologist, he took the curtain down and I felt better right away.

I'm more nervous about the second time around because I feel like I will be more awake and alert and more panicked.

Anyone else feel the same or can you share your story of how you dealt with these feelings during your c-section?

teachermother · June 2012

Your 1 section sounds just like mine! I freaked out also but it was due to my spinal went too high and felt like I couldn't breath!! I just had my 2nd c-section 3 weeks ago and had no problems at all with those feelings this time it was much more relaxed! GL

Zimger · June 2012

I became horribly claustrophobic towards the very end. They had to push LO down and it added to the pressure. My blood pressure also went down and I felt kind of like I was in a tunnel. It made it a little hard to concentrate. But I just did my best to concentrate on LO and make sure he was safe. It helped to have my DH there.

nikki_rob_weddingplans · June 2012

I had a scheduled c-section and was very nervous about how I would handle it since I do get claustrophobic and I have a bizarre phobia/anxiety about throwing up so I was having anxiety about what if I had to get sick but I can't feel my body or move...once I was there, it was not bad at all! After the spinal, my body felt warm and comfortable not claustrophobic like I worried.

Only advice I could give is to tell the anesthesiologist any of your fears, concerns, feelings. I told mine that I was feeling nauseas and so she gave me meds right away and I think those helped me to relax and deal with the anxiety. GL! You will do great!

ktb31 · June 2012

Yes. I stressed over this for months prior to my second planned c-section. I was afraid of laying on my back and not being able to breathe and having a panic attack. I let my dr. know about my anxiety so she was aware and recommended that I let the nurses and anesthesiologist know. They monitored me closely during the surgery and as soon as I became nauseous or started getting anxious I let them know and they gave me something. 10-15 min after surgery begins they have the baby out so that helps take your mind off the actual surgical procedure going on. Don't worry, after talking to people I realized that this is a really common fear so just make sure the people taking care of you know how you are feeling! Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:JA;}

stemms8810 · June 2012

I had a little anxiety about my 2nd one too because I knew I would be more alert. My first one was an emergency and I was so drugged up I didn't know what was going on. I did great though and didn't panic at all. The staff will make sure you are 100% comfortable.

HotChocolate79 · June 2012

I think for me it was a concerted effort to stay sane and stay in the moment. I held MH's hand and he talked to me the entire time; and my anesthesiologist was great - he told me step by step what they were doing and what I'd be likely to feel. Only once I felt a little dizzy and he was able to fix it right away. Also once the baby came out and was cleaned up, they put him right next to me, so I was able to focus on that and before I knew it, it was over and we were being taken to recovery.

monica92603 · June 2012

I get claustrophobic normally, especially if I can't use my arms for some reason. I made sure my arms were not tied down and the docs were fine w/ it. They just said not to move them and if I did, they would have to tie them down. Pretty trusting I thought lol.

I had heard stories of the spinal going too high and people not being able to feel themselves breathe so I focused on breathing a lot. I was also just so freaking excited that it was hard to feel anxious. Like PP said, the spinal made me feel all warm and I was just sort of fascinated by the whole thing.

Good luck and focus on baby being there soon!

FirstTimer123 · June 2012

nikki_rob_weddingplans:

I had a scheduled c-section and was very nervous about how I would handle it since I do get claustrophobic and I have a bizarre phobia/anxiety about throwing up so I was having anxiety about what if I had to get sick but I can't feel my body or move...once I was there, it was not bad at all! After the spinal, my body felt warm and comfortable not claustrophobic like I worried.

Only advice I could give is to tell the anesthesiologist any of your fears, concerns, feelings. I told mine that I was feeling nauseas and so she gave me meds right away and I think those helped me to relax and deal with the anxiety. GL! You will do great!

I DID throw up during my C-Section! It was AWFUL!!! I also had my c section after bout 30 hours of induction, labor etc... And I was exhausted and miserable, and during the procedure felt like I was trapped in my own body. I was having a hard time breathing and was so nauseous with al of the meds and not being able to even hae a drink of water in so long, that I actually vomited. It was frankly a nightmare. If I had a "scheduled" c section, it wouldnt have been as bad...During the procedure, I was SO miserable I kept asking the anaesthesiologist over and over "Is it almost over?" I was also shaking like crazy. Honestly, it was one of the worst things I have experienced. But again, if it wasnt after 30 hours of labor, wouldnt have been bad...

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