Really sick of the scare tactics! Big fat rant.

[ladysarcasma]

Whenever I try to look for information about anything c-section related (such as different types of anesthesia, etc...), I see nothing but articles about how people should always VBAC, avoid a c-section at all costs, along with a list of all the many things that could possibly go wrong. People are telling people never never to choose a c-section if you value your life!

But...sometimes, you have to. And sometimes, it's healthier than "natural" birth. My current pregnancy wasn't planned, but is welcome. I came very VERY close to death during my first EMCS, and because if the type of incision in my uterus, I simply can't VBAC. So why should I not be able to find information about non-emergency c-sections that aren't designed to scare me?

I'm terrified enough. I'm so scared of things going wrong again. I've bothered all of my doctors with millions of anxiety-riddled questions. I've cried my eyes out at the thought of dying and leaving my daughter and brand new son behind. I'm going to a therapist to try to deal with my feelings and I have just over a month until I deliver.

I've found the best practice, the best hospital, etc... and yet, everything I see, and everything I'm told reminds me that I have about a 10% chance of serious complications. Why can't people keep their "knowledge" to themselves sometimes?

 

[LDC]

I agree with you 100%.

I ended up with an emcs with my LO due to non progressive labour and I am glad that I didn't know that I would end up with a section so that I didn't read anything about it to frighten me.

I was lucky that I had a very positive experience, I picked up an infection but that was dealt with after a few days of antibiotics.

I will be having an elective c section if we decide to have another child in the future due to the horror of my labour this time; I was in active labour for almost two days before the doctor agreed for an emcs, only after I dilated from 8cm back to 6cm. My LO was also back to back and a big baby (just over 10lb) and I was told that I'd never have gotten her out vaginally. This is another reason why I want another section next time.

I won't be googling or reading anything though as I know that there are too many horror stories out there.

Although you had a terrible time last time, please don't let this scare you. Stop googling for one, you'll only see things you don't want to and a lot of information out there is not always accurate. Unfortunately what happened before is rare and they will be aware of the complications to calm you and monitor everything.

You'll be fine and you're little one will be in your arms very soon.

Xxx

 

[ladysarcasma]

Thank you for your reply. I really wasn't trying to google c-section "info" as in the risks and whatnot (though I have in the past). I mean even googling what to pack in your hospital bag for a c-section brings up horror stories! It's crazy! Sounds like you had a rough time the first time around, too.

I figure if everything went wrong the first time and we made it, it should be easier this time, right?

 

[LDC]

Definitely easier this time!! It's all about positive thinking too, I really believe in that.

The bloody Internet does more harm than good sometimes! Everything has like buzz words to pull up crap when you just want advise!!


Xx

 

[butterfly5]

thanks for this post. I am having an ECS due to vagisimus and tokophobia. I have had everyone give me a really hard time but this is not out of vanity or being not bothered.

 

[Scuba]

I had a really lovely positive elcs after a horrendous 'natural' birth with my first daughter. I too was terrified beforehand - all the talk of how c sec is such major surgery and the recovery is awful etc - but for me it was an amazing experience which I'd do again in a heartbeat!
Any questions please feel free to ask xx

 

[ladysarcasma]

Scuba- Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so glad to hear about someone's positive experiences after negative ones. I'm glad your delivery went so well! I hope I don't let the hype get to me too much and I can enjoy mine, too.

 

[Stressbucket]

I'm horrified by the sheer amount of meanness about vaginal vs. c-section birth out there. People seem to stock up horror stories about whichever one they want to downtalk, and folks, folks, there will be people who need both, and we're lucky we have access to both, and bad stuff will happen with both sometimes.

Given my druthers, I'd love to do a vaginal birth, but that's not medically possible, and I really don't need someone who read a book once telling me to distrust my actual trained medical professionals. For goodness sakes.

 

[Scuba]

Scuba- Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so glad to hear about someone's positive experiences after negative ones. I'm glad your delivery went so well! I hope I don't let the hype get to me too much and I can enjoy mine, too.

You're welcome I was physically shaking so much before mine, convinced I'd vomit, (my actual phobia) or my spinal wouldn't work and I'd feel the surgery, or I'd bleed uncontrollably - none of which happened!! (I did lose a lot of blood and had a transfusion in recovery, but that was nothing to worry about, I felt better than before as my iron levels had been soooo low so after transfusion I felt awesome lol)!! Then I was terrified of recovery, so so scared it would be agonising.. It was uncomfortable but to me it was a case of mind over matter, I was scared of the pain but in reality I just felt tight around the wound area and a bit uncomfortable! But it was perfect, it actually helped me so so much emotionally, after my first 'natural' delivery I was left with a huge fear of pregnancy, birth etc but now I feel that having SUCH a positive experience with my section has helped me heal mentally.. Crazy but true!
Oh - and I'm the biggest wimp to walk the earth with zero pain threshold lol so please ignore the scarers and focus on the positives!xxx

 

[Stelly]

Coming from someone who wanted to avoid csection at all costs (I wound up with an emcs under.general anesthesia) ... it wasnt bad at ALL. I stopped taking pain meds the day after surgery, felt great- was able to walk back and forth to the NICU, held my son for kangaroo care etc. The hospital provided everything I *needed*... putting a maternity pad across the incision helped keep pants etc from rubbing. thing I recommend is a comfy pillow from home and loose pants like sweats/pjs/yoga pants

 

[rjm09]

I had an emcs and an elected, and both of them went just fine! Can't see why so many people are just out to scare others away from a csect, or make you feel any less of a mother because you went that route. It happens, and alot of women need them. I feel like i went through alot more in terms of healing to have my baby. It is tough, but you recover quicker than you think, and within a week, you're about back to yourself! Don't let them scare you! Go in for your csect positive!

 

[Stressbucket]

I took a midwifery class once, when I was thinking of training to be a midwife. I recall one day we were reading an article about various sorts of labor complications, and the pattern of 'what to do' was always, "Do this, and then try that, and then do the other thing, and if that doesn't work, call your MD, it's time for a c-section".

So someone said, "What did midwives do in generations when you couldn't get a doctor to do a c-section?"

And someone else said, "They called the priest."

That's about the size of it. If you've got the option, you take it when you need it. I think vaginal is better, for lots of reasons, if you have a choice, but people have different reasons for doing sections, and if they're happy, that's fine. The baby gets born, one way or another.