C-section question

Im trying to preapre myself for anything that might happen.

Im an anxious person and need to know EVERYTHING in detail before hand to feel more calm.

Anyway, reading in my book it says that the spinal or the epi could make you feel numb from the chest area down.

Is that true? That its that high up you feel numb?

The numbness is my biggest scare.

Im afraid I will feel like I cant breathe.

TIA!

Re: C-section question

That was one of my biggest fears also because I read that.

I was numb from the chest down but was still able to breathe.

It was weird not being able to feel my legs, etc. but there is so much going on you don't even take notice.

Re: C-section question

I had an oxygen mask on my face so i did not notice any difficulty breathing. The area around your incision will feel numb for a long while, though!

Re: C-section question

THis was my fear too. I will say on the operating table i did get nervous and carefully controled my breating by focusing on my nose (you can feel the air going in) and not getting too excited when the babies came out. My DH got really nervous that something was wrong by the way i was acting. I was just nervous that i would start crying and not be able to gasp for air.

Also, i think the anestheologist can give you something to calm you down if you feel like you can't breath. I don't know for sure though.

Also, although you feel numb from the chest down, it's not like you can't feel the body. It's weird to expain but you can't move, yet you can still feel you skin...if that makes sense...it so was not what i was expecting to feel.

Message edited 3/7/2007 12:42:42 PM.

Re: C-section question

I was so scared of this too, and I told my Dr that I don't want to feel numb in my chest, that I suffer from anxiety and that would just put me in panic!

He said not to worry and I will not feel any numbness in my chest just my upper belly down to my feet, and that's all I ever felt, I was able to breathe fine, and felt very comfortable.

I would tell your Dr these worries, and I'm sure they will do whatever possible to make sure you are comfortable during your c-section.

Re: C-section question

Re: C-section question

Yes - it does go that high

This was my biggest fear too.
And honestly, I started to panick in the operation room. It was actually after the baby was born and the doctors 'were putting things back in' I freaked out - but honestly, my DH was right there to calm me down.

I need someone to be talking to me the entire time I was in there. So between my DH, my doctor - they kept me thinking of other things.

Re: C-section question

i was numb from my throat down. i swore i was choking because i couldnt feel myself swallowing. i was fine though, but it was kinda scary.

Re: C-section question

Re: C-section question

I had a spinal and was numb from right below my boobs down. I didn't notice numbness in my chest. I had the oxygen mask on and could breathe just fine. MY biggest fear was not becoming completely numb and feeling the incision. My legs were numb before I even laid back down so of course this wasn't an issue. I only felt pressure and some pulling but it wasn't painful, just a little strange especially when I let my mind wander to what was exactly going on on the other side of the curtain. Then I asked DH to talk to me so I wouldn't think about it.

Re: C-section question

I was numb from the chest down but it didnt effect my breathing at all. My biggest issue was the way they were pushing on my upper abdomen-but I quickly forgot about it.

Re: C-section question

I'm the same way. I was more numb from the waist down. I could hold my baby right when she was born in the OR. I was taking pictures while they cleaned her up and everything. I had no trouble breathing at all. The only thing about the epidural- it made me shiver.

ETA: Even though you are numb, you can still feel things. You will be able to feel dull feelings- like pulling adn tugging. You just shoudln't feel sharp pain. I did for one second and said "sharp pain" and then a second later it was gone.

I just wanted to let you know since you like to know things. I thought I wouldn't feel a thing and was surprised by that- but the doctor told me about it before so I was prepared.

Message edited 3/7/2007 3:21:05 PM.

Re: C-section question

I was numb from the chest down and I had to concentrate on my breathing in order for me not to have a full blown panic attack......I got myself so worked up from being scared and vomiting that I eventually fell asleep in the middle of the procedure....As far as feeling any pain,,,I didnt feel a thing.

ETA: as soon as they brought me to recovery..I started getting feeling back

Message edited 3/7/2007 3:31:04 PM.

Re: C-section question

After having excrutiating labor pains, the numb feeling that the epidural produced was fantastic! I love that shot! I can't explain how wonderful I felt after the epidural took effect.

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine

Re: C-section question

Posted by Kathy116

After having excrutiating labor pains, the numb feeling that the epidural produced was fantastic! I love that shot! I can't explain how wonderful I felt after the epidural took effect.

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine

Message edited 3/7/2007 4:23:09 PM.

Re: C-section question

Posted by dm24angel

Posted by Kathy116

After having excrutiating labor pains, the numb feeling that the epidural produced was fantastic! I love that shot! I can't explain how wonderful I felt after the epidural took effect.

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine

easier said then done.

See thats you and everyone is different. Im not the least bit afraid of pain or anything. I dont liek the lsoe of control the numbness brings. I have anxiety attacks over those types of things, so I cant just relax, although I will try my best.

Message edited 3/7/2007 4:13:57 PM.

Re: C-section question

Posted by Kathy116

Posted by dm24angel

Posted by Kathy116

After having excrutiating labor pains, the numb feeling that the epidural produced was fantastic! I love that shot! I can't explain how wonderful I felt after the epidural took effect.

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine

easier said then done.

See thats you and everyone is different. Im not the least bit afraid of pain or anything. I dont liek the lsoe of control the numbness brings. I have anxiety attacks over those types of things, so I cant just relax, although I will try my best.

I didn't mean to sound insincere, I was just trying to be supportive (I realize I didn't communicate it so well, sorry), I meant you will make it through this and in the end be ok. I was terrified of labor, and had a lot of anxiety as well, so I do understand on some level.

I hope you have a positive labor and delivery experience.

Re: C-section question

Honestly Donna, it did not even cross my mind! I don't know if I was numb from the chest down or the brain down because I seriously could not have cared less!!

I don't know if it was because I was on my thirty somethingth hour of labor and I was just beyond exhausted or what, but when that epi came...I heard angels singing and all was right with world. They could have chopped off my legs for all I cared.

The only moment that I realized I was numb was at one point during the C/S where they were tugging and pulling and I sort of felt the lower half of my body being jostled around. Just pressure though, nothing else.

If anything, I was way more distracted by the fact that a resident was doing part of the c/s. (BTW, if you choose to deliver at Winthrop - that is what you will have, they are all residents there) I was too busy paying attention to my OB and everything he was saying to care about any numbness or loss of control or what have you. He was describing the position the baby was in and why he could never have been born vaginally...then I was just awaiting the sound of his first cry... that's ALL I could think about actually.

After you submit to the surgery, ALL you care about is hearing that first cry... and until you do...there's really nothing else to think about.

Re: C-section question

this is my fear too!!!

i have extreme panic attacks..... i dont like feeling like i can't breath....... which isnt good for me since i asthma!!! and right now she's making it worse too!!!

i'm just gong to tell my doctor everything!!

although i am terrified to take medication...anytype... so that will be my biggest problem

Re: C-section question

I honestly don't remember how far up it went, so it must not have been bad. I must have been able to breathe fine.

What I do remember is it was not that quick. What I mean is everybody always told me that with a C-section the baby is out in like seconds, and thats just not true. Because I went in thinking it was going to be really quick, I got nervous when it took longer than I expected. Just keep that in mind.

Good luck!

Re: C-section question

Posted by dm24angel

Posted by Kathy116

After having excrutiating labor pains, the numb feeling that the epidural produced was fantastic! I love that shot! I can't explain how wonderful I felt after the epidural took effect.

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine

easier said then done.

See thats you and everyone is different. Im not the least bit afraid of pain or anything. I dont like the loss of control the numbness brings. I have anxiety attacks over those types of things, so I cant just relax, although I will try my best.

Re: C-section question

I'm sure it is true, but for me, I had control of my arms, but I was really woozy. What I was not prepared for was the shakes I got as the epi wore off, and the horrible itching I felt from the epi.
All in all, having a C section, my biggest fear, was really not bad at all. I had never had surgery before, and I was so scared that I was going to die or something, and it was over in 45 minutes, and the recovery went smoothly and quickly.

ETA: I forgot to add that the anastesiologist (sp) stands right at your shoulder so that you can ask all you want, "IS THAT NORMAL?!?!" I must have asked him a thousand questions and he would reassure me that it was all normal. They are also able to give you something to completely knock you out should you totally freak out. Knowing that made me feel better.

Message edited 3/7/2007 7:36:28 PM.

Re: C-section question

My chest was not numb and I didn't get woozy. I got nauseous, told the anesthesiologist immediately & he injected my IV with something & it went away right away.

I would encourage you to be vocal with the doctors about how you are feeling every step of the way. I must have said ten times to them that I wasn't numb yet (I was scared of them touching me too early!) & the OB was like, don't worry- we won't do anything until you're completely numb- but I continued to say it (to remind them!!) until I knew my waist was completely numb.

The whole process was not nervewracking for me like I thought it would be- but I was anxious. The adrenaline was pumping so much that I was giggling while they cut me open! It was crazy!

Please try not to be too nervous- I had a great experience & recovery & I'm so glad that I had to get the c-section, rather than a vaginal delivery.

Re: C-section question

Thank you for all the honest replies...

It is helping ease my mind.

I do still hope I dont need one. But I need to be mentally prepared in case it happens.