c-section fears

Was anyone TERRIFIED of a c-section and then had one? How did you cope , or deal with it?

I am very afraid of the spinal.

I may not need one at all, but Im trying to be prepared and cannot get over the fear of the feeling of being numb all the way up to my chest. That is what scares me the most.

Any advice? Tips?

Was the numbness really as freaky a sensation as I am thinking?

TIA!!!

Re: c-section fears

I was in the same boat - terrified of a csection, afraid of the spinal too. When I was in labor, I was convinced they were going to give me a c-section. I had horrific nightmares about having a csection, heard horrible stories.

Honestly, just breathe. Whatever they tell you, breathe out slowly a few times. It's all you can do. Freaking out never makes things easier. Breathe out & then think to yourself "Millions of women have had c-sections. This is completely routine."

I hope you have as easy as a labor as I did.

Re: c-section fears

My absolute biggest fear was having a C section. I never had surgery before, so I was terrified. My biggest fears were the epidural and not being able to feel my legs. I though, OMG, I will definitely be thrown into a fit of anxiety and a nervous breakdown if I can see my legs but not feel them. And, I have to say, I never even gave it any thought during of after the C section. I have very bad anxiety on a regular basis, and I was really surprised at how well I handled the whole situation. JT was right there next to me to keep me busy during the procedure and the anastethiologist was right next to me on the other side, and I kept asking him, "Is that normal? Is THAT normal?" And he was amazing. He kept me calm and told me everything I was feeling was normal. To me, knowing that he was right next to me, ready to answer my questions or godforbid, knock me out if I got too anxious, really, really helped.
So, my best advice is that if you do end up with a C section, make anesthesiologist your personal fear pacifier.
I just kept telling myself, "What other kind of surgery ends with a present?"
I know there's nothing that anyone can really say to calm your worries completely, but the excitement of meeting your baby will hopefully overshadow your fears. It did for me, for the most part.

Re: c-section fears

Thanks guys! So far this is helping with my fears and Rach, your right, I keep thinking, worse comes to worse and I have a major nervous breakdown, they will just knock me out.

Im just so freaking scared of it.

Re: c-section fears

I was sooo scared about the spinal. I told the dr ahead of time and they put a slight sedative in my IV. It really calmed me down and made me more relaxed. It really was nothing. I made a mountain out of a mole hill.

It pinched for a few seconds and then you start getting numb.

Re: c-section fears

Posted by 5ofClubs

I was sooo scared about the spinal. I told the dr ahead of time and they put a slight sedative in my IV. It really calmed me down and made me more relaxed. It really was nothing. I made a mountain out of a mole hill.

It pinched for a few seconds and then you start getting numb.

Re: c-section fears

The whole thought of it made me ill. But I was so over being pregnant and excited to meet my baby, the morning of the c-section, all fear faded. I prayed a lot. I told myself so many have done this before me.

The fact that my heartburn instantly disappeared was amazing. The spinal set in and my body was finally sciatica free.

I will elect to have all c-sections now.

Re: c-section fears

Posted by dm24angel

Posted by 5ofClubs

I was sooo scared about the spinal. I told the dr ahead of time and they put a slight sedative in my IV. It really calmed me down and made me more relaxed. It really was nothing. I made a mountain out of a mole hill.

It pinched for a few seconds and then you start getting numb.

Thats the part Im afraid of ...the numbness.



The needle etc doesnt bother me...

Re: c-section fears

i am all for natural child birth, thats just how i was always taught, its what my childbirth instructor insisted, and that is what i believe in- our bodies are made to give birth, whether u have a 6 pound baby or a 10 pound baby, God made our bodies to do this---i know a lot of classes teach u to be prepared for the epidural and the c-section....my class taught me to be prepared for a vaginal delivery of my child, exactly what to expect, when to go to the hospital, and above all, taught me to NOT go to the hospital too early, where they hook you up and make u lay down, you cant walk around and labor very easily....and when u are in the hospital, it is so funny how the aenesthiologist (okay-i cant spell that word) comes into the room and tells u all about the epidural within 10 minutes of getting to the hospital- where u are contracting, u are in pain, and think, the hell with it, give me one.... i just dont think u should have any fears- yees, a lot of women have had c sections, but a lot more women have delivered naturally and without any pain meds....i know you can do it, a lot of us have- i promise, you will look back and think, damn, that was not so bad!!!! i look forward to being pregnant again and feeling the pain of those contractions, knowing that i am about to give birth to another child....... good luck....

Re: c-section fears

I honestly don't remember being numb at all (of course being pain free from contractions probably made it all ok) I was very alert and joking around with the drs and nurses.

Re: c-section fears

I had an unplanned c-section.. I was scared of child birth period natural or a c-section and to tell u the truth c-section wasn't as bad..yes u will have alot of abdominal pain b/c it's major surgery but you forget as days move on and you spend time with your new born child. The thought of an epidural was scary but that too was worth it as contractions got worse.

Re: c-section fears

After 15 hours of labor and only dilating 1 cm I was happy when they told me I was having one. I didn't care about anything at that point, other getting the baby out and him being okay. I didn't have a spinal but I did have an epidural and it was great, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The tough thing for me was recovering from the c-section. I just started feeling "normal" again two weeks ago, about 4-5 weeks pp. But everyone is different.

Re: c-section fears

Re: c-section fears

I was all about a natural birth and no spinal... but I had a LONG induction. I decided not to be anyones hero, because I didn't want to be exhausted when he was born. I got the Spinal and it barely hurt, it was great! It's not a scary numb - it's a "thank god I can't feel it anymore" numb!!

Re: c-section fears

I'm assuming it's not a scheduled c-section. I too wanted to go natural and didn't get an epidural.

To make a long story short, after 8 hours of intense labor with NO epidural, I was not progressing past 6 cm. So, they tried to induce me and heartrate kept dropping, so I needed the c-section.

While I was nervous and I really didn't want a c/s, at that point all I could think about was getting my baby boy here safely. And, the labor was so intense I didn't even feel the pain from the epi injection.

I really didn't think about the numbness after it came on because I was so worried about the safety of my baby.


ETS: I was not numb up to my chest. Just from the waist down.

Message edited 4/29/2007 1:15:25 PM.

Re: c-section fears

YES - terrified, terrified, TERRIFIED!!!

I tried inducing for 20 hours to avoid the csection, but it was inevitable because Cailen was under my rib cage... and I wasnt dilating....

I wont lie... I sobbed walking into the OR (remember - I was not planning on the cs, but in the back of my mind I knew it was a possibility...) the team was very sweet and gentle with me, but I cried thru my 1st spinal which wound up not working, had to sit up AGAIN and do it a 2nd time... but once the numbing went into effect, I felt sooooo much better!!!

After that, and once DH finally came in, it was really a wonderful wonderful experience - not being in pain, not having to push endlessly, just laying there and waiting for them to pull the baby out while DH held my hand and rubbed my face....

After I saw Cailen, I even fell asleep while they finished up.... I felt really relaxed...

recovery was no problem... most of it was not a big deal once it was over - but trust me - I am with you 100% that it was scary - but you get over it - I promise!!!



ETA - I thought the numbing would freak me out - but I wound up LOVING it!

Message edited 4/29/2007 1:24:17 PM.

Re: c-section fears

Thank you Thank you Thank you all for the stories, they have helped so much. Especially hearing the numbing only to wasit part, as that was my big fear, my chest feeling numb( not being able to breathe)...

You guys rock!

Re: c-section fears

I was in fear probably around the time that you are at right now. Honestly...once you are in the hospital it becomes like everyday life. No more anticipatory anxiety. Like Liza, i cried through my epidural bc I thought I was going to the electric chair but honestly...it was a pinch. i talked through the whole c-section and focused on my dh and my mom. I talked nonsense but i kept my mind busy. Kinda like "do yousee it", "OMG, OMG, OMG" the more I talked the better it was. Finally my dh screamed "i knew it was a baby girl". Honestly it was so quick and you dont have time to think like you are thinking right now.

Re: c-section fears

Posted by pmpkn087

I'm assuming it's not a scheduled c-section. I too wanted to go natural and didn't get an epidural.

To make a long story short, after 8 hours of intense labor with NO epidural, I was not progressing past 6 cm. So, they tried to induce me and heartrate kept dropping, so I needed the c-section.

While I was nervous and I really didn't want a c/s, at that point all I could think about was getting my baby boy here safely. And, the labor was so intense I didn't even feel the pain from the epi injection.

I really didn't think about the numbness after it came on because I was so worried about the safety of my baby.


ETS: I was not numb up to my chest. Just from the waist down.

Re: c-section fears

OK..I was scared of EVERYTHING involving childbirth. Epi, contractions, pushing, delivering, blood, even the iv. I was so scared, that it ruined my entire pregnancy because all I did was worry.

It turned out that all my biggest fears came true when I was in labor. My water broke but I wasnt dialating on my own. I had pure back labor, and my back is so bad to begin with that it was SO BAD, I cant even describe.

They gave me cervadil and pitocin which I was deathly afraid of. By the time it came for the epi, I was BEGGING for it. Now I am the most afraid person that I know of needles. It didnt hurt at all and the numbness was the absolute BEST part. I didnt feel a thing and it felt NICE!

After pushing for 3 hours to go NO WHERE, I was screaming for a section. Begging and pleading with anyone who would listen just to get her out. When they rolled me into the OR..I was scared but at the same time, I just wanted to see my baby. Some weird force takes over and all you care about is that your baby is ok.

I was so numb and so out of it..they asked me to scoot onto the other bed and I literally couldnt. I remember thinking for a split second, omg I cant feel my legs. I said it to my anesthiologist and he said that was an awesome thing because I didnt want to feel any of the pain of the surgery.

In the end, the experience feels so surreal. My recovery is what sticks in my mind the most.

I know how scared you are and its normal. The absolute LAST thing I ever wanted in this world was surgery but if that was how I was going to get my baby girl in my arms..then so be it. You turn into this "superhuman" person when it comes to your child and you just do it.

I wish you the best!