I hear your pain! I have an anxiety disorder and I was terrified of giving birth and having a huge panic attack! But a panic attack never came near me. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT. You're not the first one who's going through this.
I HIGHLY recommend skipping the c-section and at the very least trying for a vaginal delivery. Epidurals are your friends. (Or can be.) You're a tough cookie! (You've GOT to be to put up with attacks, so I know this is true.) You can do this!
Our hospital has nearly a 50% c/s rate and refuses to do vbacs... Only one of my friends who have given birth there was able to do it naturally... Kinda scary. Like PP said, I would definitely talk to others who have had c/s at your hospital and find out your hospital's policy on vbacs if you want any more children.
VBAC generally isn't the doctors decision, it's insurance companies that make them difficult to get. Whether the whole hospital doesn't allow them because it lowers costs for thems or a doctor specifically doesn't allow them because many insurance companies won't cover them or won't work with them if they perform VBACs.
not true. There are hospitals with VBAC bans. Someone mentioned above about not being induced for a VBAC when ACOG says it's a viable option. Insurance typically does not care how a baby comes out & I've never heard a story of insurance not paying for a VBAC. Maybe they aren't an insurance accepted at a hospital & out of network is unaffordable. But no direct bans of VBAC by insurances. This is doctors & hospitals being unsupportive. Some extreme cases even having the police & CPS involved if a mom doesn't consent to a RCS...
I think she meant the malpractice insurance carriers
Oh my. I've had 2 emergency c/s -- one completely out under for and the second awake. The first one I recovered from with no problems and very little pain med use. The second, I was 10 years older and the recovery was definitely tougher. That c/s was the most anxiety ridden experience. I was shaking uncontrollably from my anxiety. Not even my husband was really able to calm me. With that second one, I got a hematoma on my incision. That sucked and had to be drained and cared for. Even now, I notice my muscles are not anything like they were before having 2 major surgeries. I get muscle cramps all the time, pull muscles sneezing, etc. It's terrible. I, unfortunately, will have a 3rd c/s because the cut on my uterus is horizontal and with that, you are never a candidate for a vbac. Just a word of caution, each recovery is a little more difficult and your muscles become a lot weaker each time.
I hear your pain! I have an anxiety disorder and I was terrified of giving birth and having a huge panic attack! But a panic attack never came near me. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT. You're not the first one who's going through this.
I HIGHLY recommend skipping the c-section and at the very least trying for a vaginal delivery. Epidurals are your friends. (Or can be.) You're a tough cookie! (You've GOT to be to put up with attacks, so I know this is true.) You can do this!
This is what I was going to say... I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks BUT I tend not to experience them if I have adrenaline pumping or if I am focused. Both times I have given birth, I have been so "aware" and "present" in the experience that it was like a natural anxiety-suppressant. I think the most important thing would be regulating your environment as much as possible so you feel calm and focused. Both of my labors were so calm/comfortable nurses were loving and helpful, etc. which made the anxiety stay miles away. Another thing I see not mentioned much above is: labor is a challenge-yes- BUT I LOVE LABOR/delivery! I think you are robbing yourself from a beautiful experience if you take vaginal delivery off of your options list. The whole experience is just amazing! And if you read about how your body works through it from beginning to end, you can learn to go with your body's flow and ultimately realize- our bodies were made to do this- it's really not scary when you feel that peace that:
Labor/delivery is NOT inherently a medical problem. It is a natural process of the body. Like pooping. Haha.
ALLLLLL of this to say: please no one take this as a "one way" thing. Of course- sometimes our bodies do not agree with what is happening for whatever reason and I am thankful c-sections are available if you need one--- I may have one! You never know! And OP- you may need one... I always go back to--- look--- just choose what's best for you- in your situation- for you and baby.
Just simply sharing I loved my vaginal births And did not experience anxiety--- your story could be the same or different.
I was SO nervous to give birth! Before that I had never been in any real pain or had any surgeries except wisdom teeth. I also heard everyone's horror stories about labor. Honestly, it really wasn't that bad! I have had two vaginal births with epidural and recovery was a breeze. An elective c-section seems scary to me.
I absolutely loved my scheduled c section. I was walking laps at 8 hours and shopping at 72 hours. Super easy awesome recovery. Not all c section experiences are bad. Most people i know with planned scheduled c sections had great experiences. You have to do what is right for you
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect 4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11 Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:( Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11 Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13 Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13. Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
I would speak with your doctor about options for your anxiety. Look into birthing classes, hypnosis, anti-anxiety medication.
As a former OB nurse, I will say that seeing women recover from a C-Section is painful to watch. After delivery you aren't able to eat for a while, get out of bed, and you have to be catheterized for at least 8 hours post-op. The pain from the incision is real, it is uncomfortable to hold and breastfeed the baby. The risk of complications are much higher.
I am supportive of whatever is best for you as a mother, but am coming from a place of seeing both births and thinking that a vaginal birth with pain medication may be a better option.
Good luck in whatever you choose!
I was allowed to eat right away and they uncathed me very soon after. Interesting
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect 4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11 Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:( Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11 Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13 Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13. Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
I would speak with your doctor about options for your anxiety. Look into birthing classes, hypnosis, anti-anxiety medication.
As a former OB nurse, I will say that seeing women recover from a C-Section is painful to watch. After delivery you aren't able to eat for a while, get out of bed, and you have to be catheterized for at least 8 hours post-op. The pain from the incision is real, it is uncomfortable to hold and breastfeed the baby. The risk of complications are much higher.
I am supportive of whatever is best for you as a mother, but am coming from a place of seeing both births and thinking that a vaginal birth with pain medication may be a better option.
Good luck in whatever you choose!
I was allowed to eat right away and they uncathed me very soon after. Interesting
Same here. My cathedar was out before I left the operating room and I ate food that evening (CS was just after 5pm). I'm not advocating for a scheduled CS your first time around but recovery from a scheduled CS should be completely different than recovery from a CS after 46 hours of labor (as it was in my case). Yes, still major surgery but if it was as horrible, not many women would opt for a RCS.
I didn't read every single response so maybe this was suggested already, but a doula would be valuable if you are worried about handling a vaginal birth. She might be a good resource for managing your anxiety and she can help keep you grounded throughout labour.
I want a vaginal birth so bad. I'm dreading the c section and recovery a toddler and multiples.
You're having twins right? Will your OB not allow a vaginal delivery with twins?
Triplets. I've talked to the perintologist and my OB and it's really hard to monitor three babies in a vaginal delivery. It seems like c section will be better for me and them.
DS 9/2/13 was a BFP from an IUI! Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
@huskerfamily. Congratulations! So exciting! I actually haven't heard of triplets being delivered vaginally, I'm sure it must have been done before though. Csections make perfect sense with triplets, there is too many legs, arms, cords envolved, lol. I'm pretty sure that often one will decend and the second or third doesn't engage properly and finally triplets often need extra support when born so they like to get them out quickly and efficiently which is fair enough. I was looking into a support belt just in case I needed a csection, I've heard great things about them. Women have said they reduce strain on muscles while you are healing. They also said it helped them to get out of bed and carry baby more easily. Just a thought as you will be so busy and probably won't get the luxury of much bed rest! Maybe speak to your OB about this option.
@huskerfamily my friend had triplets 5 days after her son turned 2. She went into labor and barely made it to the hospital in time to deliver one vaginally and the other 2 were delivered via section. Her recovery wasn't awful but it was a double whammy.
I want a vaginal birth so bad. I'm dreading the c section and recovery a toddler and multiples.
You're having twins right? Will your OB not allow a vaginal delivery with twins?
Triplets. I've talked to the perintologist and my OB and it's really hard to monitor three babies in a vaginal delivery. It seems like c section will be better for me and them.
I have to have c-section due to cervical cancer removal and a permanent cerclage is place. Obviously I can't compare to vaginally delivery, but I have to say based on friends stories the c-section seems pretty good. I was only on prescription pain meds for me couple days in the hospital, then Tylenol at home for about a week. Moving around was not nearly as bad as I was expecting because the incision is so low. The worst part for me was the 8 hours after delivery because the anesthetic made me nauseated. Everyone is going to have a different experience I guess.
Im glad you decided to ask people who have actually been through a c section for advice rather than listen to your friends. Based on what you said, none of your friends have actually had a c section so they're assuming they're easier than natural births. Unless you've been through that major surgery and the year long healing process (mind still hurts even after 21 months), then I don't think you should be suggesting that people get a csection because you didn't enjoy your natural birth. I'm not saying a c section is worse than a natural birth or vice versa, I'm just saying Im glad you decided to ask women who have experienced both. Good luck and I hope you make the best decision for both you and your baby.
My mom cut is both out. She was a nurse in NICU and postpartum so she saw everything. She said with me she would have liked to push but I had not dropped and it had been 24 since her water broke so she opted for a c-section and for my brother she didn't want to do a VBAC. She told be that after all she has seen its either a longer recovery with the c-section but no labor or deal with labor but heal a little faster. Of course every mom is different so in the end we never really know how we will heal and what option we will be forced to go with.
Re: Elective c-section
I HIGHLY recommend skipping the c-section and at the very least trying for a vaginal delivery. Epidurals are your friends. (Or can be.) You're a tough cookie! (You've GOT to be to put up with attacks, so I know this is true.) You can do this!
Emma Kate - born 10.16.03 @ 29 weeks, weighed 1lb 13oz and 13.5" long.
TTC #3
Labor/delivery is NOT inherently a medical problem. It is a natural process of the body. Like pooping. Haha.
ALLLLLL of this to say: please no one take this as a "one way" thing. Of course- sometimes our bodies do not agree with what is happening for whatever reason and I am thankful c-sections are available if you need one--- I may have one! You never know! And OP- you may need one... I always go back to--- look--- just choose what's best for you- in your situation- for you and baby.
Just simply sharing I loved my vaginal births And did not experience anxiety--- your story could be the same or different.
Emma Kate - born 10.16.03 @ 29 weeks, weighed 1lb 13oz and 13.5" long.
TTC #3
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away
Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect
4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs
Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11
Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:(
Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11
Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13
Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP
Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13.
Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away
Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect
4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs
Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11
Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:(
Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11
Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13
Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP
Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13.
Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
I actually haven't heard of triplets being delivered vaginally, I'm sure it must have been done before though. Csections make perfect sense with triplets, there is too many legs, arms, cords envolved, lol. I'm pretty sure that often one will decend and the second or third doesn't engage properly and finally triplets often need extra support when born so they like to get them out quickly and efficiently which is fair enough. I was looking into a support belt just in case I needed a csection, I've heard great things about them. Women have said they reduce strain on muscles while you are healing. They also said it helped them to get out of bed and carry baby more easily. Just a thought as you will be so busy and probably won't get the luxury of much bed rest! Maybe speak to your OB about this option.
Oh, oops!! My bad!! Sorry about that.
Oh, no worries!!
Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
Good luck and I hope you make the best decision for both you and your baby.