So Scared!

[Aelanu]

Hi ladies- I'm a first timer...both in Mommyhood and in C Sections. I have one scheduled on Nov. 12th and I'm so scared! I've done a lot of research, gotten a lot of feedback from ladies in my life who've had them, read up on the recovery process, and even watched some videos on the procedure to prepare myself but every time I even THINK about my OWN section I start shaking and crying- I don't want to be cut open! I'm afraid something bad will happen (like I bleed to death, for instance) or LO won't take to breastfeeding because of the meds (or they will give him formula and he'll get nipple confusion). Am I overreacting? There are so many more things I'd rather do than get a C Section...like have my eyes gouged out with a stick.

My OH thinks I'm being silly and there's nothing to be afraid of- but I've never been more scared of anything in my life...whats worse is this is unavoidable because I have a complete previa

Maybe I'll just stay pregnant forever >.>

 

[lauram22]

Honestly, speaking from my own experience it was fine, even enjoyable!! I have had one natural birth and one c section and I'd choose c section every time!! I can totally see why you'd be so nervous though, is there maybe a c section talk you could attend at your hospital? We went to one of these and it really helped. Recovery is nowhere near as bad as you'd expect, I had mine on the Tuesday and was home Thursday, little bit tender but fine!! If you have any questions please ask xx

 

[Bear0609]

I agree with the lady above, it's not nearly as bad as you think it will be.

I'm a first time mum and had a planned c-section three weeks ago. Apart from being sore I have had no other issues. The scar is tiny and I can barely see it, its so neat. I had my little girl on the Thursday and was discharged 24 hours later.

Please don't worry, yes it is major surgery but it's such a routine operation, they're done all the time.

Take care x

 

[katy1310]

I was exactly the same as you - would rather have gouged my own eyes out than have a section! In the end, I have to have an emergency section at 27 weeks, and honestly, it was fine. Nothing like as bad as I expected. I had to stay in hospital for 6 days but that's because I was so ill from the pre-eclampsia and I wasn't allowed home till they were satisfied everything was ok.

xx

 

[Jolann]

I have always been terrified of the idea of childbirth and would have loved to just stay pregnant forever... but of course sadly thats not possible!

So, I had my c section (elective) last Friday, stayed in hospital until Monday (by choice, could have come home on Sunday) and am sore but fine. The operation itself was over and done with in 26 minutes (apparently my consultant prides himself on his speed!), my husband got to hold the baby almost as soon as he was out, I got skin to skin shortly after and as soon as I was all stitched up I was breast feeding. I had a catheter that was taken out 24 hours later and a drain that came out after 48 hours. As soon as it was removed I felt a great relief as I'd had a burning sensation whenever I moved up until then. I am still on pain meds and now also antibiotics as I have a UTI from the catheter.... these have caused no issues whatsoever with breast feeding. Honestly the worst things about the whole experience have been the post operation soreness (your going to get some degree of this whether c section or natural birth) and the hospital food which was horrible! Easier said than done, but try not to stress too much, ignore whats going on around you.... focus on your baby. The moment when they say "one minute and the baby's here" is brilliant and from that moment on I could have been anywhere because all I could think about was my little boy. Good luck x

 

[mommytobe11]

i was under general anesthesia for mine so i can't comment on how the procedure was. but i woke up an hour and a half after he was born and did skin to skin. he is such a good little eater despite us not meeting right away! so don't worry at all about BFing!

for me the first day moving was the worst. but by the time i left the hospital i was moving pretty well. i took little walks with him around the maternity floor in the bassinet thingy often to make the recovery process a little easier.

good luck! it will be over before you know it!

 

[Gemble]

It's fine

I had an emergency c-section and was put under so as one of the other ladies said don't know much about the procedure! After I was fine tho! I got up and walked a few hours after (not recommended but my baba was in NICU and it was the only way I could see her, nothing to do with the section) I would defo recommend moving as much as possible as soon as they say its ok. I walked 10 mins to the shop 2 days after and it was alot easier than I expected my scar is barely noticeable and I plan on having an elective c-section next time

Xxx

 

[petitpas]

I had a planned section and having everyone talk me through the procedure beforehand really helped. I was terrified of the spinal but when it was done I asked the anaesthetist when she would put the real stuff in as that could only have been the local one Of course I had to believe her in the end as my legs became rather heavy
Once the op started our baby was born in less than five minutes. After a quick stop at the weigh station we had skin to skin for the rest of the surgery (less than 30 mins) and he had his first feed in the recovery room. It was a lovely experience and I would do it again tomorrow.
Try to talk through all worries and anxieties with your midwife and hospital team. Go through all the what ifs and you will be less frightened when something doesn't quite go to plan. Above all, enjoy meeting your baby!

 

[ChezTunes]

I understand why you're terrified. I felt the same. DD was breech and this was the safest way to deliver her, so that is what we did... It was a very surreal experience, it was really calming and now I wouldn't have had it any other way. Funnily enough, I'm scared I'll have to have a VBAC now! Honestly, the recover wasn't half as bad as I'd thought either, I was impressed with how well I did recover and so were the MW's. I was up, walking twice in the same night and I had her in the afternoon! I breastfed her fine too, with the only problem being my shaking after the meds meant we had to wait to get back up to the ward so it was only 30-60minutes and she fed fine.

Try to stay as calm as possible and take it as easy as you need to! You will have all the help you need and not to mention the painkillers too. I didn't find myself in too much pain at all but just make sure you take them when needed

 

[Aelanu]

Thank you ladies for the support- I'm still scared but after reading everything written here I do feel better about the whole thing. As long as my little man comes into the world happy and healthy (and hopefully a breast feeding champ!) I'll be okay.

I'll probably still cry before I go, though- but OH already expects that

 

[Jolann]

Aelanu - cry away! All of the photos my OH took of me doing skin to skin have me blatantly blubbing my eyes out. Its such an overwhelming feeling, I think lots of people probably cry! Good luck, hope it all goes well for you

 

[Aelanu]

I learned today that I have Thrombocytopenia- which is basically a fancy word for extremely low platelet count. They have been monitoring my platelet count from the beginning, but they felt the problem would resolve with iron- which obviously it hasn't. My ultrasound meant for the 7th has been pushed up to the 1st, and my OB said she will most likely put me on steroids to bring my platelet count up. If my count isn't up by the 12th (C section day!), I have to be put under total anesthesia (instead of a standard epidural) to stop the risk of me bleeding to death. If I was scared before, I'm completely and utterly terrified now!!! My OH will be banned from the room (they don't let anyone in the room when they completely put you under), and I'll be going it completely alone and asleep...I won't get to see my son when he comes out and neither will my OH.

 

[mommytobe11]

i was put under general anesthesia. neither the spinal or epidural worked (something wrong with my spine) so they had to knock me out and wouldn't let OH come back. i was upset neither of us were there for the birth of our son but OH saw him the minute he came out of the OR, which was super quick and he was able to have special bonding time with him until i woke up.
i try to look at the positives, which is probably only that OH got that special time with him. it helps.

my only advice would be, be prepared to not remember much of the first few hours after you wake up. it might have just been me idk but i don't remember first meeting my son because i was so drugged up still. but there are plenty of pictures and i'm so grateful for those pictures!

it sucks, who wants to be unconscious for such a magical time?? try to look at every good thing you can!

 

[Mummythree]

Hi just wondering your reason for having a section as its your first and your in early pregnancy? i was the same i was terrified at the thought of my section but it wasnt as bad as i expected, and if its planned you have time to prepaire yourself.

 

[Aelanu]

I have a complete previa that didn't move throughout my pregnancy- which is sucky since 90% of the time the placenta moves...but I'm one of the unlucky 10%. If I go into labor I could hemorrhage and die- and no one wants that- thats why I'm going to have my section right at 37 weeks.

I just told OH to have the camera ready to record any silliness that occurs from me being drugged up- even if I can't remember it, I know the video function on my camera will!

 

[pinkribbon]

I am having a section on the 5th November for a placenta previa too, I've had all the same feelings you described, gone through moments of being 'it's for the best' and then moments of 'omg I don't want to '

I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Aelanu]

The 5th? That's OH's first child's 8th birthday! He desperately wanted us to have him on the 5th but I was completely and adamantly against it- the 5th is full up in his family...there are 4 people in his family with that birthday! I even scheduled my last ultrasound 2 days later just to prevent it in case we have to go for a section next week.

Good luck- and I'm glad I'm not alone in my feelings

 

[pinkribbon]

Were you allowed to pick? My consultant booked mine and it probably would have been the 4th if the 4th weren't a Sunday!

I'm going to warn you in advance, the consent forms are a little daunting, there is an increased risk of blood transfusions being needed with the placenta being low, but they tell you this because they have to, not to freak you out. I only want to tell you because I had a major stomach in my mouth feeling when they went through this with me... And after having a few days to reflect I feel happier. Not happy, but happier.

 

[Islander]

mine was fine and baby breast fed fine mine was an emergency so i was pretty terrified and exhausted and out of it...think if it had been planned it wouldnt have been so scary but honestly the staff were great and i asked lots of questions throughout which were all answered well

 

[SillyMoo1983]

The good thing about your c section is that it will be planned so you can prepare for it. Get your big pants at the ready! I had an emcs and had no big pants! I would happily have a c section again but would much prefer it to be planned so i know what to expect. If I can do it, anyone can! I'd never even had so much as a stitch in my whole life and am very squeamish so I really surprised myself with how calm the actual birth was. It was a lovely experience and as soon as you hear that first cry, you'll not notice what's going on behind the screen.