second time c-section moms

My first c-section wasnt planned. I was in labor for 18 hrs and she didnt descend passed 6. With that said, I was totally drugged up with epi and all that I was ready to have the baby taken. I am a little nervous going in KNOWING what to expect. Is c-section anxiety normal? I cant imagine going in knowing they are going to perform surgery with me awake...OMG

Re: second time c-section moms

I am having the exact same anxiety. Guzzling down some Sangria pre-surgery isn't an option, so I'm freaking out myself!!!

Good luck- My surgery is Tuesday, so I'll be sure to let you know if all the anxiety was for a good reason!

Re: second time c-section moms

Posted by JP826

I am having the exact same anxiety. Guzzling down some Sangria pre-surgery isn't an option, so I'm freaking out myself!!!

Good luck- My surgery is Tuesday, so I'll be sure to let you know if all the anxiety was for a good reason!

Re: second time c-section moms

It's really not bad, you are awake but it's fast and all you feel is pressure, no pain or anything. Your so concentrated on listening for the baby you forget all about what they are doing.

Re: second time c-section moms

I had DS vaginally, now with DS#2 I have a complete placenta previa, so I have to have a c-section next Friday. I CANNOT sleep! Soooo scared! I am afraid of the recovery time too!

Re: second time c-section moms

ok....I must say...first the anxiety that I thought I was going to get right before my c-section, never happen cause my water broke 3 days before my section
Instead I had anxiety of not being prepared (my hospital bag wasn't packed, all that type stuff)

I got to the hospital at 8:30 - I didn't 'walk' into the operating room until about 1:30ish...cool as a cucumber.

When they went to give me the spinal, had a little anxiety, but my doctor was there holding my hands and talking me through it (I LOVE HER!!!)
I then was told to put my feet up on the table and they started going numb...and I hate to say it...but the anxiety hit and it hit hard!! I went into panic mode...which didn't get any better when my DH came into the operating room...since i was in such a panic, I couldn't talk...but the anastalogist, saw what was happen gave me something and I calmed down almost instantly.

I know I probably didn't help...but wanted to tell you my story.

Re: second time c-section moms

of course there is anxiety! I'm going in for my third and am slightly freaking out.

Getting the spinal was a little worse, since I wanted anything to take away the contractions the first time, but once I was numb, it goes SO fast. my OB was good too, b/c he kept telling jokes. Then there is the elation of the baby and your thoughts are somewhere else when they are finishing.

I thought recovery was easier the second time, b/c I knew what to expect and i pushed myself a little bit more to get through it.

Re: second time c-section moms

I had two planned c-sections, but I have to say the anxiety the weeks before my second was way worse. I hated knowing what to expect, however, the day of, it was fine! I almost passed out when I got the spinal, which happened with my first, but that's just because the thought of them doing the spinal freaks me out. Other than that, it was a calm, really great experience And that tugging that I felt the first time, I didn't feel this time, go figure!

Re: second time c-section moms

Both of mine where scheduled and yet I still had some anxiety with my second.

But I will say a friend who had her first after hours of labor and pushing said her second (scheduled) was much more enjoyable. She was more with it, not so tired, not so loopy from labor, drugs etc.

My second was great as well. Dont worry! Although I know thats easier said than done

ETA: I was nervous because there were differences btwn #1 and #2, different OBs, one was a spinal other epi, etc.

Recovery time was about the same. By 1 week PP I felt good, by 2 weeks great. I kept saying tthat the whooping cough vaccine I got was giving me more discomfort when I came home than my incision.

Message edited 7/7/2011 10:59:55 PM.

Re: second time c-section moms

having my 2nd section in a week and a half and I am not feeling the anxiety yet. I am sure it will come. That being said, my 1st section was unplanned and same as you, I just wanted the baby out safe and sound so I wasnt really focusing on what was happening. Now I know what will happen and I am sure I will be nervous when the time comes. My plan is to ask the nurses to talk to me about anything and everything to keep my mind off what they are doing until the baby is out. Then I think I can get through the rest. I also am not afraid to speak up to the anesth. and ask for something to calm me. I did speak up last time when I felt nauseous and they gave me something that made me feel instantly better so I hope they can do the same for the anxiety.

Re: second time c-section moms

It is kinda freaky walking into the OR and knowing they are about to cut you open
I admit, I do have anxiety this time too. It's really the only part I am NOT looking forward to, but I just keep in mind that the whole C/S doesn't last more than 30-40 minutes and then it's DONE. Not the worst thing

Re: second time c-section moms

My repeat c-section is scheduled for 9/7 at 9:30am and I am totally already very anxious about it! Scared to death is more like it! The first time I was in labor for 16 hours so I didn't care how they got him out, I was just DONE. This time I KNOW what is going to happen and it scares the bejeezus out of me! Hopefully when the day actually comes it's not as bad as I'm imagining....

for all of us and