Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I could barely sleep last night thinking this time next week, I will be going in for my c-section.

I am so so very scared. I must have some sort of pain tolerance with the illnesses I have, but I am still petrified. Panic attack petrified.

I am excited about meeting little Miss Bean, but I am afraid of the aftermath of a c-section, about failing at BFing, trying to recover with practically no help (my mom is leaving the Sunday after we get home and DH doesn't have much time off of work because he has a new job).

I am mostly scared about the whole surgical aspect, about passing out or throwing up. I know that is weird.

Someone talk me down!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

What you're feeling is totally natural....a c-section is surgery and therefore can be scary and then all the life changes. You aren't alone in your feelings. Just keep reminding yourself that buillions of women have gone through the same thing you will be going through and in prior generations with a lot less. Don't feel bad about feeling this way...it's natural to be scared and fear the unknown...but you will get through this!!!!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

It's totally normal to be freaking out! DON'T worry!!! No matter what you will be an amazing mom and everything will be ok!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Breathe! You will be fine! Don't think about the scary stuff just think about the end result...your baby girl in your arms.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Like PP said, it's completely normal to be terrified of the unknown. Plus you have this big life change to think about. But I promise you, you will get through it, and I bet it wont be as bad as you think. You know why?? Cause you're gonna have the most beautiful little angel to keep your spirits up and keep you going every day!
Just try and focus on the positive! You're going to be a great Mom!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Totally normal to be freaking out....I'm sure a lot of us will be when we get to that point...

I guess u just have to trust that your drs know what they are doing bc they've done c/s a million times. Try not to think about the surgery as a whole. Just take it 1 step at a time.

Check In at hospital
fill out paperwork
change into gown
etc...

You are stronger than u think!!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Everything will be fine. You will get through it. And it will all be so worth it once you hold your little girl in your arms.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

OMG Michelle I HEAR you, I was much more anxious about the "c" than a natural delivery. :( I think I spent the evening before my induction just CRYING to my mother (who went all natural with 4 of us, no help there! ) So I KNOW how you're feeling, trust me!!!! But I can honestly also tell you that while for us, this is a "once in a lifetime" moment with all the anxiety that entails, our docs and nurses have done it hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of times, and they have pretty much seen everything!!!! Not that they're blase about it, just very very experienced!!! That alone will help calm you, once you're in their hands you'll see how routine this really is - and trust me when I tell you they are EXPERT at calming us down From the minute you sign in, you'll be in great hands and they'll treat you sooooo well, please know that. My poor DH now that I think about it, I kept looking to him for some kind of soothing, or reassurance, only to see him with his "deer in headlights" face which was not helpful AT ALL. But I guess i forgot this was his first time at this too Now nothing short of having everything behind you will cure all that anxiety, but my only advice since you're in the home stretch is to make sure you have a little plan each day for the next few days:
Get something done, go for long walks, have a mani/pedi, get a massage if you want, whatever CALMS you....
Read uneventful birth stories
Stay away from GOOGLE
Hop onto iTunes podcasts and listen to some meditation/visualization tapes, they are AWWWWWESOME for relieving anxiety (and free!)
And of course, tryyyy to rest, even if you're not "sleeping" your body needs to recharge as does your brain.
If you feel like your anxiety is BEYOND tolerable, please call your OB and ask to speak with him about the "c". Mine offered that and I didn't take him up on it, but that last week was torture, so I wish I had. He will help calm you for sure and they get those calls A LOT!!!
Oh and of course POST if you're feeling scare and we'll all help too!!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

i had an emergency c with my dd and will most likely be having a scheduled c with this one....I labored for 12hrs and then was told that i wasnt progressing and that my dd wasn't going to be able to make it out into the world vaginally....honestly?

i was devastated...i took lamaze and didnt read up on anything about c's bc "i wasnt going to have to have one".....I cried all the way to the or and i swear to this day i had a panic attack on the table while they were doing the surgery BUT...u need to focus on your dh and the fact that you are going to see your lo in only a matter of minutes....I calmed down tremendously when I heard my dd cry I felt like the nervousness just faded away.....

Recovery is hard only bc if ur anal and a control freak like me i wanted to climb off the table and grab my baby and get outta there lol but you need to relax and be patient and know that in a short while it will be you your dh and a new addition to your family for the rest of your lives...

Advice: rest as much as you can tell them to take the baby at night, some moms might think that im horrible for saying it but i didnt bf but know plenty of women that had them supplement at night to be able to rest and i think there is nothing wrong with that

recovery at home really wasn't so bad for me....i felt alright by the time i got home and as long as you take it easy and not overdue it youll recover well....i felt so much better by two weeks....try to get out walking when you can with the baby....its good for you and the lo to get fresh air

overall although it is daunting bc its the unkown i promise you its not as bad as you have conjured up in your mind....good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you...you will do just fine

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by colette

OMG Michelle I HEAR you, I was much more anxious about the "c" than a natural delivery. :( I think I spent the evening before my induction just CRYING to my mother (who went all natural with 4 of us, no help there! ) So I KNOW how you're feeling, trust me!!!! But I can honestly also tell you that while for us, this is a "once in a lifetime" moment with all the anxiety that entails, our docs and nurses have done it hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of times, and they have pretty much seen everything!!!! Not that they're blase about it, just very very experienced!!! That alone will help calm you, once you're in their hands you'll see how routine this really is - and trust me when I tell you they are EXPERT at calming us down From the minute you sign in, you'll be in great hands and they'll treat you sooooo well, please know that. My poor DH now that I think about it, I kept looking to him for some kind of soothing, or reassurance, only to see him with his "deer in headlights" face which was not helpful AT ALL. But I guess i forgot this was his first time at this too Now nothing short of having everything behind you will cure all that anxiety, but my only advice since you're in the home stretch is to make sure you have a little plan each day for the next few days:
Get something done, go for long walks, have a mani/pedi, get a massage if you want, whatever CALMS you....
Read uneventful birth stories
Stay away from GOOGLE
Hop onto iTunes podcasts and listen to some meditation/visualization tapes, they are AWWWWWESOME for relieving anxiety (and free!)
And of course, tryyyy to rest, even if you're not "sleeping" your body needs to recharge as does your brain.
If you feel like your anxiety is BEYOND tolerable, please call your OB and ask to speak with him about the "c". Mine offered that and I didn't take him up on it, but that last week was torture, so I wish I had. He will help calm you for sure and they get those calls A LOT!!!
Oh and of course POST if you're feeling scare and we'll all help too!!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

it is totally understandable...this is major and life changing. you will be fine and think of how many women have done this before you! also know that all the crazy hormones and feelings afterwards are totally normal too. being a mom is the most amazing thing in the world and worth everything and then some. try to think happy thoughts...like the 7 day forecast shows the weather for next week so you are going to have to pick out two outfits everyday...one for you and one for DD (that thought always made me happy).

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

everything will be FINE

I was the same way with my first c-section, here is my experience

the surgery itself is quick, miki was out in 10 minutes....then while they clean and weigh her, you will be getting stitched up

I was then brought to recovery and got to nurse her right away and she stayed with me the whole time

After an hour or so, I went back to my room and was able to have some company - the first day, I had NO pain, was still pretty numb from the epi

12 hours after delivery, the nurses will come in and remove the cath and MAKE you get up and try to pee. This part sucked, I wanted to drop kick the nurses (especially cause it was like 2am when they came in )

the more you walk, the better you will feel but it DEFINITENLY hurts to walk the first few days

once home, I had some moderate pain for about 10 days but it was manageable ( TAKE YOUR PAIN MEDS)

pretty much the same experience when I had KJ

You will do GREAT

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by JenandMikey

i had an emergency c with my dd and will most likely be having a scheduled c with this one....I labored for 12hrs and then was told that i wasnt progressing and that my dd wasn't going to be able to make it out into the world vaginally....honestly?

i was devastated...i took lamaze and didnt read up on anything about c's bc "i wasnt going to have to have one".....I cried all the way to the or and i swear to this day i had a panic attack on the table while they were doing the surgery BUT...u need to focus on your dh and the fact that you are going to see your lo in only a matter of minutes....I calmed down tremendously when I heard my dd cry I felt like the nervousness just faded away.....

Recovery is hard only bc if ur anal and a control freak like me i wanted to climb off the table and grab my baby and get outta there lol but you need to relax and be patient and know that in a short while it will be you your dh and a new addition to your family for the rest of your lives...

Advice: rest as much as you can tell them to take the baby at night, some moms might think that im horrible for saying it but i didnt bf but know plenty of women that had them supplement at night to be able to rest and i think there is nothing wrong with that

recovery at home really wasn't so bad for me....i felt alright by the time i got home and as long as you take it easy and not overdue it youll recover well....i felt so much better by two weeks....try to get out walking when you can with the baby....its good for you and the lo to get fresh air

overall although it is daunting bc its the unkown i promise you its not as bad as you have conjured up in your mind....good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you...you will do just fine

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by JenandMikey

i had an emergency c with my dd and will most likely be having a scheduled c with this one....I labored for 12hrs and then was told that i wasnt progressing and that my dd wasn't going to be able to make it out into the world vaginally....honestly?

i was devastated...i took lamaze and didnt read up on anything about c's bc "i wasnt going to have to have one".....I cried all the way to the or and i swear to this day i had a panic attack on the table while they were doing the surgery BUT...u need to focus on your dh and the fact that you are going to see your lo in only a matter of minutes....I calmed down tremendously when I heard my dd cry I felt like the nervousness just faded away.....

Recovery is hard only bc if ur anal and a control freak like me i wanted to climb off the table and grab my baby and get outta there lol but you need to relax and be patient and know that in a short while it will be you your dh and a new addition to your family for the rest of your lives...

Advice: rest as much as you can tell them to take the baby at night, some moms might think that im horrible for saying it but i didnt bf but know plenty of women that had them supplement at night to be able to rest and i think there is nothing wrong with that

recovery at home really wasn't so bad for me....i felt alright by the time i got home and as long as you take it easy and not overdue it youll recover well....i felt so much better by two weeks....try to get out walking when you can with the baby....its good for you and the lo to get fresh air

overall although it is daunting bc its the unkown i promise you its not as bad as you have conjured up in your mind....good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you...you will do just fine

Thank you so much! Taking her for walks is a great idea because it will be the most gorgeous time of year where I am.

I am the same way-impatient, I hate being in the hospital. DH is going to be spending the night at the hospital and I think it will help.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

1. You WILL be fine. I promise! Women do this every day and I swear they wouldn't do this for you if it wasn't in the best interests of your health, as well as Miss Bean's

2. I have zero pain tolerance so if I can honestly tell you that the recovery wasn't that bad, you should believe me

3. BFing is hard but I've done it (despite wanting to quit every day for 5 weeks) and you can always ask me or anyone else on here for help. And if it doesn't work out, so what? Luca did awesome on formula when I stopped BFing, and he is a smartypants

4. DH was only home for about a week with me and DS and then I was on my own. I preferred it that way! I got to hang out with DS and not worry about showering or how I looked Newborns only want three things: food, cuddles, and clean diapers. If you can do that, you're set!

5. You won't pass out, and if you feel sick, they will take care of that right away with anti-nausea meds in your IV. Your anesthesiologist will become your new best friend and the nurse assigned to you in the OR will be amazing too, I promise!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Totally normal!! I didn't go in knowing I was going to have a C but ended up having one. I totally freaked out on that table, I'm not going to lie. It did go by quickly and I was up walking around the next day. The recovery suucks but before you know it you will be back to your old self!! Try to stay relaxed

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by headoverheels

1. You WILL be fine. I promise! Women do this every day and I swear they wouldn't do this for you if it wasn't in the best interests of your health, as well as Miss Bean's

2. I have zero pain tolerance so if I can honestly tell you that the recovery wasn't that bad, you should believe me

3. BFing is hard but I've done it (despite wanting to quit every day for 5 weeks) and you can always ask me or anyone else on here for help. And if it doesn't work out, so what? Luca did awesome on formula when I stopped BFing, and he is a smartypants

4. DH was only home for about a week with me and DS and then I was on my own. I preferred it that way! I got to hang out with DS and not worry about showering or how I looked Newborns only want three things: food, cuddles, and clean diapers. If you can do that, you're set!

5. You won't pass out, and if you feel sick, they will take care of that right away with anti-nausea meds in your IV. Your anesthesiologist will become your new best friend and the nurse assigned to you in the OR will be amazing too, I promise!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Hun- I have more time than you and every WEEK i go through this! I am in a panic about every little aspect...

My husband said something to me that made me think a little (It may sound a little cooky- but bare with me- he is a strange man)

He said:

"I know you are scared. I'm scared too. The thought that one way or another you will have to recover after 9 months of just getting used to being pregnant frightens me too...A surgury is surgury and either way it is scary espesially if I have to go back to work right after.

But jenny, heres the thing- You're a woman. You're made to do this- and this is why women are stronger than men. You think we would be able to do this? No. We can't even handle being sick with a cold.

If you have to get a C section- okay fine. The baby will NOT remember you taking an extra TWO Minutes to get to his crib. The baby will NOT remmeber you crying if u get upset. The baby will NOT remember if you made the bottle too cold. All that they will know is the feeling of us loving him"

So- yeah he's a little strange, but it made me feel better. I hope it does the same for u.

I've had constant panic attacks leading to me almost fainting so i understand completely<3

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I think all of your fears are normal!

Try to just take deep breaths and focus on the prize! You'll be ok- I promise you.

Want me to come down to Florida and help you? I could use a getaway....

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by ImAFazz717

Hun- I have more time than you and every WEEK i go through this! I am in a panic about every little aspect...

My husband said something to me that made me think a little (It may sound a little cooky- but bare with me- he is a strange man)

He said:

"I know you are scared. I'm scared too. The thought that one way or another you will have to recover after 9 months of just getting used to being pregnant frightens me too...A surgury is surgury and either way it is scary espesially if I have to go back to work right after.

But jenny, heres the thing- You're a woman. You're made to do this- and this is why women are stronger than men. You think we would be able to do this? No. We can't even handle being sick with a cold.

If you have to get a C section- okay fine. The baby will NOT remember you taking an extra TWO Minutes to get to his crib. The baby will NOT remmeber you crying if u get upset. The baby will NOT remember if you made the bottle too cold. All that they will know is the feeling of us loving him"

So- yeah he's a little strange, but it made me feel better. I hope it does the same for u.

I've had constant panic attacks leading to me almost fainting so i understand completely<3

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I have no idea what to tell you, I'm panic struck myself, and all of the support in the world wont calm my nerves.

The only thing that helps me is yoga and deep breathing relaxation, and my hypnobabies mp3s.

hang in there

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I, too, was scared about the surgery part of the experience. Please know that you WILL get through it- all of it! Take it easy in the hospital but walk and get out of bed when they tell you to. It will really help your recovery. Once home, just take it easy- try to get everything together in the AM before your hubby leaves for work so that you will have minimal stuff to do.

I can understand all of your fears!! they are totally normal but (i know it's easy for me to say this now) try not to stress about it. Even if you do fail at BF, at least you gave it a shot. A happy mom=a happy baby. No matter what, little Miss bean will love you.

If you need anything, please let me know

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by ImAFazz717

Hun- I have more time than you and every WEEK i go through this! I am in a panic about every little aspect...

My husband said something to me that made me think a little (It may sound a little cooky- but bare with me- he is a strange man)

He said:

"I know you are scared. I'm scared too. The thought that one way or another you will have to recover after 9 months of just getting used to being pregnant frightens me too...A surgury is surgury and either way it is scary espesially if I have to go back to work right after.

But jenny, heres the thing- You're a woman. You're made to do this- and this is why women are stronger than men. You think we would be able to do this? No. We can't even handle being sick with a cold.

If you have to get a C section- okay fine. The baby will NOT remember you taking an extra TWO Minutes to get to his crib. The baby will NOT remmeber you crying if u get upset. The baby will NOT remember if you made the bottle too cold. All that they will know is the feeling of us loving him"

So- yeah he's a little strange, but it made me feel better. I hope it does the same for u.

I've had constant panic attacks leading to me almost fainting so i understand completely<3

OMG, you have a great man there-I just teared up reading that!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

It is completely normal to be scared!!

I did not sleep for one second the night before my c-section with DS#1.

But let me tell you, I had the EASIEST C-section experience ever. Heck, I'm signing up for it again this time purely out of the fact that it was so easy the last time and labor and v-birth scare the bejesus out of me!

I was in by 7AM for pre-op stuff, C-section was sceduled for 8:00AM.

The whole thing went so fast (less than 15 minutes) and BAM, I had my gorgeous little boy!!

I felt nothing when they put the epidural in, and light tugging when they pulled DS out.

They took me to recovery (8:30), brought DS to me so that I could attempt to BF him, and then took him to the nursery while I recovered (2 hrs total).

When I got to my room I was hooked up to a morphine drip. I used it maybe twice the whole time I was there. The nurses were amazed that I didn't need it, but honestly, I wasn't in that much pain.

The worse part of it was the gas pains. Those sucked, but the surgery part was a breeze!

When I got home, my dr. prescribed pain meds which I never touched. DH was home with me for 1 week.

Yes, I couldn't bend or lift things, but you need to just take it easy when you get home. If things get left undone, so be it.

All you need to do is feed, change and hold your baby. And they sleep ALL DAY the first week.

You will be fine!!!!!!! You will have no idea how you did it, but you will, you will be running on adrenaline, instinct, and love and you will just do it!!!!

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

Posted by kahlua716

I think all of your fears are normal!

Try to just take deep breaths and focus on the prize! You'll be ok- I promise you.

Want me to come down to Florida and help you? I could use a getaway....