anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I am on medication for what can be crippling anxiety. As my due date gets closer I am having more and more panic attacks a day with the thought of all this "unknown" that is headed my way (childbirth).

I'm wondering if an elective c-section would be more beneficial to me and the baby since I have been stressing so hard. The thought of walking into the hospital knowing what is going to happen just seems like the solution to all this - but I can't get past societys negative views on c-sections and I feel like if I have one I'll just be a big failure. ... But at the same time I'm petrified of what my anxiety will do to me if I went naturally.

I know everyone has an opinion - I was just hoping for some advice from some of you ladies out there who do suffer from anxiety. TIA.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I don't suffer from anxiety, but I can tell you that I was significantly less anxious when I went into labor with DD than I was when I had my scheduled c-section with DS (he was estimated to be 10 lbs). C-sections are major surgery, and all the "what ifs" really freaked me out. When I went into labor with DD, I knew that I could just hang out with my epi until it was time to push. I was so much more relaxed, and excited!

I don't know if that helps but that was my experience

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I have SEVERE anxiety disorder and I was more terrified of a c-section than natural birth.

Do you take anything? My anxiety is the worst during the 1st trimester, calms down during the 2nd trimester and than gets bad again during the last trimester (from the anticipation of the "unknown").

I honestly would not go the c-section route unless your dr feels its medically necessary. I think you will still have anxiety and the recovery is much harder which may make your anxiety worse in the long run.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

IMO I would stay away from the C-Sections unless medically necessary

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I've never been on medication for it, but I am more anxious than average.

I fought c-section tooth and nail because I had a million more thoughts running through my head with regards to c-section.

Something that helped me a ton, was when I found about hypnobirthing. I was planning on going med free, because meds gave me even more anxiety. But even when I didn't the hypno- birthing techniques helped me so much to relax.

I used hypnobabies. You can download mp3s of the net, and there are some freebies you can try:

http://www.hypnobabies.com/

I ended up having a epi, and everything worked out fine.

In the end, you just have to let go and trust your doctors that everything will be fine. So many people are involved in the process and taking care of you.


here are where you download the tracks, try the free ones
http://hypnobabies.com/mylink.php?id=4058

Message edited 7/13/2010 3:32:04 PM.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

dour your BP goup when you get the anxiety?? I say speak to your ob/midwife and see what they suggest!!!

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

Talk to your OB about it and discuss your options.

I also have anxiety and sometimes it is hard for others to understand.

yes, a c-section is major surgery. You would need to sit down with your doctor and discuss the risks/benefits of having crippling anxiety in your ninth month vs. a scheduled c-section. That level of anxiety is NOT good for the baby if it comes down to that.

It is really a personal decision that you and your OB need to agree on.

Good luck!

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

thank you ladies so much for your input!

....

Message edited 3/7/2013 2:47:25 PM.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I was so anxious about V birth ( and I don't normally have any anxiety issues) that I elected to have a c section. it was the best thing I did, I was literally loosing sleep at night for a month before I spoke w/ my Doc about it.

I think it would be a wise decision and the best part is you can always change your mind when it comes down to delivery

one thing that bothered me is I kept telling myself I can't do this I can't do this. Mind is a powerful thing , so c section was def. best for me. I had two now and great recoveries.

Message edited 7/13/2010 6:02:13 PM.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I am not on medication and but I do get anxious about alot of things though. Especially the unknown.

I was having a sched csec due to back problems and a fibroid, but for reasons you describe, I was GLAD i was having one. It made me feel more prepared and less worried about unknowns. But the difference was i have had surgery before and was not worried about the surgery, or recovery. My csec was a peice of cake, the best thing experience (and it even became emergency, didnt happen on the date planned). But it was a great experience for me and the best thing for me on every level.

If you are going to worry about the recovery or surgery, then it certainly will only add another anxiety to your picture, kwim? It's all very overwhelming and scary...we have been there. But I can tell you that your body sort of goes into a "mode" and you may just feel kind of numb or surreal, which helps with bearing the stress of such a big life event.

Message edited 7/13/2010 6:29:07 PM.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I don't know if this will help, I had both and unplanned C Section and a scheduled. Both times I had attacks when only when I was given the epidural. I also have terrible Anxiety Attacks and take Zoloft and an occasional Klonopin for them.

My first son was not a scheduled and I labored for about 4 hours. I never thought about the fact that I would have a problem with the epidural. As soon as I couldn't move my legs, I was panic stricken and had to have a sedative. (I ended up with a section because I was not dilating.)

My second son... I said right from the start I wanted no surprises and was having a section again. I had another attack as soon as I had the epidural, but because I had warned everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) beforehand, they were ready and so was I. They gave me very light sedative and it was over before I knew it. I think I was able to handle the attack much better because I was ready for it.

So, my advice to you is talk to everyone involved especially your OB and anesthesiologist. Think twice about an epidural if you are considering it. Feel free to FM me too if you want to chat about it.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

The worst panic attack of my life was during my c/s with DD#2, I literally thought that I was gonna die. My spinal went up a little to high, which did not help and I totally felt like I could not breath. They would not give me anything for it until the baby was out . It sucked, I hardly remember her birth and what I do, was not good.
If I had the choice, I would have had a vaginal delivery.

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I don't know if this helps but I'll throw it out there - labor was NOTHING like what I imagined it to be. I have anxiety issues too, and a wild imagination, but not to the point of being medicated so it's hard to compare but I did have incredible fear and anxiety re: childbirth, but it is true what others have said, that your body kind of takes over. I was induced so there was no surprise, but there was pitocin which caused different anxiety. Also, with the epi, I really didn't feel a thing and certainly no pain - not even during pushing - DH and I hung out watching TV most of the time - it was actually pretty relaxing of a day so for whatever that's worth, that was my experience. You should def talk to your OB though - it doesn't make sense to put yourself through labor if you're going to be too scared and anxious to push but like I said, your body may take over for you. Good luck!!

Re: anxiety and childbirth - opinions needed

I was in labor and had an emergency c--section. I was having intense contractions and had a panic attack when they tried to do the spinal. The nurse had to shake me and tell me to get a hold of myself.