Do you get knocked out if you freak?

[ladysarcasma]

I have a doula and she's really great. I'm having my second c-section. My first was an emergency after a long labor with massive blood loss, inverted T incision, and eventual GA. It almost killed me.

I'm having another c-section in 5 days and I'm terrified. I've tried talking, meditation, hypnosis, etc... I have anxiety issues and I'm so scared that as soon as I get to the OR and can't move my legs, can't feel like I'm breathing fully, etc... I'm going to lose it completely.

My doula says that if I completely lose my mind, they may have no choice but to knock me out again. I don't want to do that again. GA didn't go over well with me last time and I woke up on a breathing tube that I had to have in for hours. I'm scared of being put out, but I'm so anxious and scared that the surgery will kill me that I don't know how I'll deal with being on the table.

Is it true that they'll knock me out if I freak? How did everyone else not flip out? Any advice?

 

[_Lexi_]

I was terrified beforehand. Walking from my room to theatre, I sctually tried backing away and took oh, my mum, and 2 male nurses to get me in there. I was shaking and crying whilst they were trying to do the spinal. Eventually they did say if I didn't calm down, I'd have to be put under. An elective is a much calmer experience (I would imagine). The surgeons do this every day. They know what they're doing. You just have to trust them. My mum held my hand the entire time and helped keep me calm. I wanted to see my son as soon as he was born and hear that first cry, I just focused on that. x

 

[scarolinarn04]

I don't know if they would put you under, but when I went it for my section after a failed induction I was offered medication to help "calm me down". It wouldn't have knocked me out, but more relaxed me. I opted to not have because I wanted to remember everything, but I can't see why that couldn't be an option before completely sedating you. I'm in the US, though, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[ladysarcasma]

I'm in the US, too. I have heard that some anesthesiologists will sedate you after the baby is out. I'm not sure how long it will take to get the baby out, or if I can manage to last that long without losing it!

 

[_jellybean_]

I was SO scared that I was going to die during my section, even though I had one the year before.

They won't knock you out if you're worried/upset, etc., because most women are, but if your heart rate gets too high, then they might.

I agree with pp. I would try to focus on hearing that first cry. That part is so fast. It only takes a few minutes to get baby out, so if you can hold out, but are still panicky after baby is out, then maybe they can give you a sedative to relax you.

What helped me find peace was talking to the doctors and nurses about my fears. They are there to help you, and to calm you down. I bet, honey, that if you tell them how you feel, they will make you feel much better by explaining that everything really will be okay.

They do so many C-sections now-a-days, and it's really become a routine surgery! 30% of births are via Caesarean Section!

So, it helped me to talk to them, because they kept telling me that I would be okay. It also helped me to talk to my husband, and the rest of my family about my fears. I journaled as well, which helped me get my thoughts out on paper.

Finally, I'm a Christian, so I prayed a ton about this, and I do believe that the Lord gave me peace. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[yrose20118]

I was under GA as it was an EMCS with complications. I still cry about it as I missed LOs first cry, seeing him being born, hubby werent in the room etc...

I regret that so much it haunts me.

xxx

 

[ladysarcasma]

I was under GA as it was an EMCS with complications. I still cry about it as I missed LOs first cry, seeing him being born, hubby werent in the room etc...

I regret that so much it haunts me.

xxx

I'm really sorry that happened. I would be really sad if I had to miss it, and it would probably stick with me, too.

I did get to see my baby the first time, despite all my EMCS complications, but by that time I was in so much pain and so doped up, I only remember seeing her for a second before they knocked me out. I would never want to miss my baby's birth, but I just don't know how to stop the panic so I don't have to

 

[Banshee]

I was under GA as it was an EMCS with complications. I still cry about it as I missed LOs first cry, seeing him being born, hubby werent in the room etc...

I regret that so much it haunts me.

xxx

I feel the same. Though less so now after two and a half years than right afterwards.

 

[x__amour]

I was rushed into an EMCS and started freaking out and they sedated me.

 

[Scuba]

I had my 4 month old daughter by elective c section and absolutely loved it! Don't get me wrong, before hand I was a nervous wreck, shaking like a leaf etc, but by the time I'd had my spinal and was on the bed (don't call it a table, sounds too harsh!) I began to feel calm and excited.. I laughed through the tugging part (partly from nerves I'm sure) but then I heard Rosie's first cry and everything else was forgotten!!
The radio was playing as she was delivered and I was singing along to 'Strawberry Fields' as she was born
Yes, a c sec is surgery BUT its not surgery to be scared of.. I lost blood and needed a transfusion but that was fine, it was all lovely.. I never expected to feel so fantastic about it all, honestly! It was far far far more natural and calmer than my vaginal delivery with DD1..
I honestly enjoyed it so much I feel so sad that you are so scared and wish I could make you really believe it will be fine! Just talk to the midwives about anything while you feel nervous, it takes just a couple of minutes until baby is delivered so get through those which I know you can and the rest is plain sailing!
Please come back on here after your section and update us? I look forward to hearing another positive account!
Lots of love xx

 

[chubbin]

I was freaking out before my emcs. They gave me a spinal with diamorphine in to calm me down xx

 

[RachA]

An elective should be a lot more 'relaxing' than an emcs. It really doesn't take long at all. I had my first by emcs and from them deciding i needed an emcs til actually having the baby out and in OH's arms was 1 hour. The actual time from when they started the section until they baby was delivered was about 3 minutes.

You really should speak to your doula/doctors etc and they should be able to help you. They really won't want you getting stressed out.