Starting to freak out....

So, I am 37w1d with and have a c-section scheduled for Thursday, though these babies can really decide to make their debut any day now!

I am sooo excited to meet them and finally become a mommy. BUT, I am freaking out about the c-section. I think my biggest concern is the spinal....not getting it, but the feeling of being numb. I have pretty bad issues with claustrophobia and not being in control of my body.
Ladies who have had c-sections, how bad was it? Is there anything they can give me to help with the anxiety??
I have been reading birth stories, but I think that is just making it worse!

Re: Starting to freak out....

hey i had a csection and i was more scared of the spinal. It wasnt bad at all... it was like little mosquito bites. Nothing bad. when you lay there you dont feel much just when the baby comes out you feel tugging and pulling it may feel uncomfy but not bad though. If you feel anything dizziness, pain anything just let the anesthiologist know he will make you feel better. When i was rolled in to recovery i couldnt move my legs. that lasted about 4-5hrs it was really hard to move from csection bed to your room bed. But i promise it wasnt that bad! good luck my follow 09er being a mom is great!!

Re: Starting to freak out....

I wasn't a scheduled c-section so I didn't have time to worry about the spinal - I was more freaked out at the prospect of having major surgery (which I wasn't really anticipating).

That being said, it was totally fine. I had a lot of drugs in my system and ended up shaking pretty badly, but the spinal itself was nothing. I have no bad memories of that at all.

Good luck and rest up while you can!

Re: Starting to freak out....

oh man did you read mine??

Re: Starting to freak out....

I'm just like you with the claustrophobia issues. I actually had a panic attack during my first c-section because I couldn't feel my legs. But listen, I did it again...and again!

For my 2nd c-section, I was SO anxious about it all over again even though rationally, I knew I was fine and everything would be great. I asked the anesthesiologist if I could have a little "something" to take the edge off before I was numbed, but he said he couldn't do anything until the baby was born. After the baby is out (which, trust me, is only after 10 minutes or so), they can give you whatever you need to calm down if you're freaking. Guess what...I ended up mentally talking myself through it so that I didn't even need a sedative.

Here are a couple of tips:
*DO NOT try to move your legs! Just don't do it. For my 2nd, I envisioned that I was just pushing very hard at some imaginary wall with my feet.
*If the numbness reaches your chest, your breath may feel a bit shallow; just remember that you can and you are breathing.
*Keep talking. Talk to the doctors, nurses, DH the curtain...just keep talking. Joking REALLY helps.
*I know you have no other children, but I brought a small photo book of my DD that I made DH flip through to focus me. You could try an album of your honeymoon or another happy time.

I hope I didn't frighten you (and I'm still pretty anxious for my 3rd in October too), but I know exactly how you feel and it's going to be OK!!!

Re: Starting to freak out....

Posted by Eireann

I'm just like you with the claustrophobia issues. I actually had a panic attack during my first c-section because I couldn't feel my legs. But listen, I did it again...and again!

For my 2nd c-section, I was SO anxious about it all over again even though rationally, I knew I was fine and everything would be great. I asked the anesthesiologist if I could have a little "something" to take the edge off before I was numbed, but he said he couldn't do anything until the baby was born. After the baby is out (which, trust me, is only after 10 minutes or so), they can give you whatever you need to calm down if you're freaking. Guess what...I ended up mentally talking myself through it so that I didn't even need a sedative.

Here are a couple of tips:
*DO NOT try to move your legs! Just don't do it. For my 2nd, I envisioned that I was just pushing very hard at some imaginary wall with my feet.
*If the numbness reaches your chest, your breath may feel a bit shallow; just remember that you can and you are breathing.
*Keep talking. Talk to the doctors, nurses, DH the curtain...just keep talking. Joking REALLY helps.
*I know you have no other children, but I brought a small photo book of my DD that I made DH flip through to focus me. You could try an album of your honeymoon or another happy time.

I hope I didn't frighten you (and I'm still pretty anxious for my 3rd in October too), but I know exactly how you feel and it's going to be OK!!!

Re: Starting to freak out....

Posted by MrsSpring

oh man did you read mine??

Re: Starting to freak out....

I had a csection and my recovery was very easy. My sister and GF also had csections and had easy recoverys. One of my other GF had a vaginal delovery a few weeks after me and the first thing she told me when I spoke to her was that I should thank God I had a csection because she was in so much pain down there. You will be fine. Good luck

Re: Starting to freak out....

I was terrified too! The strangest calm set in just before I was about to get the spinal. I can't explain it, but it was NOT bad. My anesthesiologist was an angel.

Here's my wimpy post with lots of great and calming stories. I literally read these again the morning of my c/s to calm myself down.

Good luck!!! C-section link

Re: Starting to freak out....

The c/s was honestly a breeze!! It is so much easier than a vaginal birth if it is planned. Trust me, it is no big deal!!!! People who have problems with c/s are those who have labor and then a c/s.

Re: Starting to freak out....

Posted by HLT407

I was terrified too! The strangest calm set in just before I was about to get the spinal. I can't explain it, but it was NOT bad. My anesthesiologist was an angel.

Here's my wimpy post with lots of great and calming stories. I literally read these again the morning of my c/s to calm myself down.

Good luck!!! C-section link

Re: Starting to freak out....

I was scared of that too, but it wasn't so bad. I was more scared of the actual surgery knowing what was going on, moving organs and such! BTW, my DH saw all of my insides!

Not sure if it's the same at every hospital, but for both c-sections, what made me VERY uncomfortable was that they strap your arms down. I didn't know this at first and it scared me not to be able to move anything except your head. I also didn't like that I didn't get to actually touch the baby, besides the quick kiss, until hours later. I just wanted to give you a heads up just in case.

Re: Starting to freak out....

The actual c-section was not bad. The recovery is rough for me.
Speaking from experience, it is MUCH EASIER having a scheduled or non-emergency c-section versus an emerency one after you've been in labor, pusing, etc.
You will be fine! Can't wait to hear all about your twins!!

Re: Starting to freak out....

I too was freaked out ~ I was so nervous about the spinal and getting a cathider. I was more nervous and scared about those two things than the c-section itself. I have to say it was not bad at all ~ it is weird when you start going numb but all I kept thinking about was my baby and how I was going to meet him just a short time after. Hang in there ~ everything will be fine and you will see your two precious babies ~ just keep thinking about that over and over and overrrr! It will get you through. Good Luck and can't wait to hear and see pictures of your little ones!