C-section this coming Monday and Panic Attacks.

I'm scheduled for a c-section Monday the 16th and the closer that day comes, the worse my anxiety attacks get.

I'm at the point now where it's making me feel sick to my stomach.
I'm scared to DEATH for another c-section.

To fill you in if you don't remember my post after I had my daughter 13 months ago...
They induced me and after 2 days of labor I ended up having to get a c-section because my daughter was just simply too big and wasn't decending.
She was supposed to only be about 8 1/2 lbs and ended up really being 10 lbs 13 oz.

They gave me an epidural at about 5cm dialated.
It worked for about an hour or so then it stopped working.
So they figured maybe from them trying to move me around to get Ivy to decend, it might have slipped out of place.
So they took it out and did a new one.

It STILL didn't work.
Then once the doctor decided to do a c-section, they gave me this stuff into my epidural thing that was supposed to completely numb me.
Well needless to say it didn't because the epidural wasn't placed properly and they STILL sent me in there KNOWING that.

It wasn't so bad at first, just a bit of burning, and about a minute later the worst most intense pain I've EVER felt came shooting through my body.
I started FREAKING out and screaming and they hadda put me to sleep and made hubby leave the room.

I'm so scared of this happening again I can't hardly bare the thought.
Every time I think about it I start back up with the panic attacks.
I keep trying to calm myself and tell myself that it's a new doctor that is very well liked in these parts, it's a new hospital and they'll be more prepared cuz it won't be emergency.

But now that I only got, 6 days left, that "calming" saying that I used my whole pregnancy is no longer working.

I'm scared to death and I try not to show it but it's getting really hard and I freak out and I start crying and I get myself all worked up.
I don't know what to do with myself anymore.

I need some GOOD c-section stories PLEASE.

I know that my c-section was not how it was supposed to go, but I need some calming reassurance.

Thanks in advance.

[Irish741]

I had a c-section 8 months ago. It was my first baby. I was a bit scared not really knowing what to expect but everything turned out good. Just a little background...my baby had turned breech with one foot down about a week before his due date. This was discovered at my regular weekly checkup. I was told that I woud be having a baby 3-4 days later becasue he has to come out before I went into labor which would have caused a whole bunch of problems. I do have to say getting the spinal block was not fun at all, but it was by far the worst of the whole experience. My doctors were great but what really pulled me through was my anestesiologist. That guy was great. He was really cool. If you can try to talk to the anestesiologist and have them put you at ease that might help a lot. This will also be a more calm setting I am assuming. You will be going into the c-section fresh as opposed to dealing with labor first. I have a feeling everything will be just fine. I can sympathise with your plight though, your first experieince has understandably got you quite worried. Try to relax as much as possible, though I know that is really hard. Best of luck to you...and again I am sure everything will be just fine. :)

[jenkaye21]

omg girl, no wonder you are scared!! But you are right, there is no way this is gonna happen to you again.  Keep thinking those positive thoughts and everything will go fine, you'll see. =)  And soon you'll be holding that beautiful baby boy!!

[ziggysgrl0724]

jeez that does sound awful....I am so sorry you had to go through this.  I have had 3 c-sections.  Since you are going straight to a c section without labor, you probably wont be getting an epidural.  You will most likely be getting a spinal instead.  That's what I had for my last 2 c sections because they were planned.  Instead of a catheter that continuously supplies the meds, its just one injection in the back and that's it.  You will know if its working almost immediately. When I had the epidural, I had HORIIBLE shakes and vomiting afterwards, but I didn't have that as bad with the spinals.  It also wore off faster for me after the surgery, which I was thankful for(I HATE the numb feeling, it gives me panic attacks).  One thing I strongly recommend is talking about this when you meet your anasteaseologist.......this way he knows your history and can prepare better and reassure you.

[ziggysgrl0724]

anesthesiologist.....sorry i totally spelt that wrong and sent it instead of spell checking it, lol.

[tiredbuthappy]

my second c-section was much better than my first! Everything just seemed smoother. Granted, I was sick for my first. But for some reason, the second seemed much easier. I do admit the recovery was a bit more painful, but it was faster. But you already know about recovery. After my first c-section, i swore I would never go through that again. It was nothing like yours, but still traumatic for me. After this one, I am open to the idea of a third.
I agree- definitely talk to your anesthesiologist. Hopefully he can reassure you. And since this isn't an emergent situation, they can take time to make sure everything is correct.
By the way, my spinal worked instantly both times, with no side effects at all.

[Lance06]

Riot, I remember what you went through...and I am sure everything will be fine this time!

Honestly, I think it was my anesthesiolgist who made it easy for me too. He was great, talked me through everything and made sure all was set before they started anything!

I am having another c-section in February, and as much as I am NOT looking forward to it, i know i dont have a choice and I jsut have to trust that all will go as planned.

[JoyRenee]

I don't have anything to say but wanted to send you a huge e-HUG!!! I'm so sorry you're scared right now and that is such an awful thing to be feeling right now. I can recommend a website to you that might help. It's actually a blog:

adventuresindiapering dot blogspot *******

You can click on her link at the top of the page that says C-section Info. Or even write her and talk to her about your anxiety. She just found out she's pregnant with #5 and will have a c-section as well.

[Riot_Queen]

Thanks ladies.

That spinal thing, do you feel any pressure or tugging like you're supposed to with an epidural?

[wanttobeamumagain]

Hi there i had a c section 7 weeks a ago, i was so scared to have it done but it was not at all bad, yes its not the best feeling in the world after but i was driving 2 weeks after ( i was told not to drive for 6 weeks but i felt up to it) The spinal block i had no problem with all i felt was a little scratch. Im sire everything will be just fine and just think your be holding your beautiful baby this time next week!! Good luck.

[ziggysgrl0724]

When you say "do you feel tugging or pressure" do you mean during the procedure or during the spinal itself?  I know for me, the tugging I felt during my csections with the spinal felt very similiar to the baby actually kicking me.  I remember asking DH if my Dr was in there getting the baby because it felt like he was still in the kicking very high...I later found out that it was my doctors arm inside me that made me feel that, lol.  It wasnt a bad feeling or painful at all though(the procedure).  Like tired said it pretty much works right away.  By the time I felt the ***** in my back, my toes were already tingly and then it just went from there.

[Irish741]

The only tugging or pressure I ever felt was when the medication was first administered. The anestesiologist had to make sure the medication was going to the correct places so he had me inform him when I felt pressure on both sides of my spine. It was mostly uncomfortable. Once the medication was in I was numb as can be. He did a few tests to make sure. Once we were set to go he chatted with my husband and I thru the whole proceedure very nonchalantly, giving us updates on what the docs were doing. If I remember sorrectly I did feel some slight pressure when they brought the baby out, but really I think I only felt something because they told me what they were doing.

[martikadragoon]

You know I had a csection w/TJ.... I'm giving you a call to talk about it.