Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I am scared as hell too. I just think to myself that whatever happens- v birth as planned, c, etc- it is for a finite amount of time and then the baby will be out. SO even if it is the worst most horribly scary and uncomfortable situation it will soon end and I will not die. I know that might not be as consoling as some other ideas on how to cope with this, but it's what I'm personally using to stay calm.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I havne't had a c-section so I can only share with you what I know for sure.

Remember, as women, we are so much stronger than we think are. The truest test of that is childbirth (and 2 year olds, but let's not get ahead of ourselves). You can do this!!! Yes, it is so scary but it happens every single day. Of course it's scary - it's fricken surgery! But the way I got through childbirth is just thinking of the end result. Everything is worth it for that little girl. Everything you have in you and everything you don't know you have. You will get through this!!!

BFing is hard and it doesn't always come easily but it does get easier - usually it takes a few weeks or a month for you to actually FEEL like it's getting easier... I felt like nobody told me that part so 3 weeks in and I was losing my mind thinking I was the worst mom ever, which is why I'm telling you now - it takes a while to get into that groove. Difficulties with latching is normal. Thinking you're not producing enough is normal. Not having your milk come in for a few days after you give birth - also normal. So many things with BFing that you think are SO WRONG turn out to be soooo normal. I learned most of that AFTER I started weaning DD (one month EBF, one month weaning - I took time weaning because of the guilt I felt over stopping).

But you know what?? If it's too much for you to handle there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with forumla. Don't put it in your head that you may "fail". Take that word OUT of your vocabulary now. Things may not go the way we plan but that doesn't make us failures. Doing what's best for our children AND ourselves is all that we can do. If that means not bfing then so be it.

The hardest hit you're going to take is when you see Miss Bean's little face for the first time and you fall in love like you've never even imagined possible.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I wish I saw this sooner! Please do not panic. It's really not so bad, especially a planned c-section. I mean, how many people go in for surgery and get an amazing gift afterwards?
I will say that I felt so good after my c-section that I left the hospital early and was up and about at my house right away. The only thing that was difficult was sitting down on my very low, very sink-in-able couch. But I sat on the boppy, which gave me some leverage to get up again
My advice is to take all the pain killers they offer you, you will be very happy that you did because the sooner you are up and about, the better.
When I got home from the hospital, I actually didn't even take the percocet they gave me, I used over-the-counter percogesic. It's tylenol with an adjuvant in it to boost the effects. It actually worked better for me that the percocet. I'd say that a week after the c-section, I was off all pain meds completely. And honestly, the pain wasn't bad, it was more the aching in my muscles from carrying a baby around for 9 months!
As for BFing, I will tell you this and it's because I wish someone would have told me before hand, it's hard. It's really, really hard for something that's supposed to be so natural. And combined with your hormones and overwhelming feelings after having a baby, it makes it even harder.
I'm telling you this now so that you know that it could be tough in the beginning. But just because it'll be tough doesn't mean it's not possible and not worth it. Being a mom in the beginning is tough and it's totally worth it!
As for not really having anyone there to help out, I have to say, I think that having my mom was great, but once I was on my own, I fell into the whole mom thing a lot easier. You are free to do what you think is right without an audience, which is great.
Hang in there. I promise you the c-section really isn't bad. Enjoy the time in the hospital you'll have with your little girl and the extra help then.

Re: Scared out of my mind. Someone help!

I just got the chance to come on today, so I'm responding kind of late, but I wanted to offer and say that what you are feeling is totally normal.

It's a fear of the unknown and I have been stressing about it too. Just remember, as I try to, that everything that happens, happens because it is supposed to. You will be fine! Miss Bean will be fine! It's so hard because tehre are so many other aspects of life that we can PLAN for and this one...even thought you're having the scheduled C, it's still unknown to you! And being scared of surgery is totally normal! Just trust that you are in the hands of very capable Drs & Nurses. The surgery is such a short part of the process! Recovery- it may well be difficult, but You've been through difficult situations before, so you will make it through. You'll have to- you'll have Miss Bean counting on you !

You'll be okay and we'll all be here to support you!

Try to stop stressing and ejoy the last few days you have before you are a MOMMY!!!!