Maybe wrong place to post but advice RE C-section

:hi: Hi Ladies,

I hope you don't mind me asking for advice, I just found out today that I'll be having a c-section on 22nd September due to baby been breech. Besides feeling upset that I can't have a natural delivery I am also feeling very nervous of the surgery. I know it sounds daft but part of the reason I am so nervous is because in the past i have suffered anxiety disorder (I hate feeling out of control) and I am SO very nervous of losing the sensation in my legs which of course I know I will need to! I'm afraid of panicking and totally freaking out.

Will I be given a sedative to calm my nerves before the spinal?
How does a spinal differ from an epidural?
Probably a daft Q but will I have a period/bleed as I would expect the same as after having a vaginal delivery?
Will having a c-section affect breast feeding?

Sorry for any daft questions I may have asked :blush: but any advice is much appreciated. x

As this is an elective c-section, you should ask to speak to the surgeon to put your mind at rest with regards to the sedative etc.

I had an emergency c-section which was very stressful as i was completely out of control and thought that my baby would die. But I mostly didn't feel a thing. The recovery is difficult but very very worth it.

Do not get yourself worked up about this hun. It is the safest way to deliver your baby which is the most important thing.

I had an epi in my csection and was numb from the boobs down :rofl:. Not sure what a spinal block is like.

I bled for about 3-4 weeks post partum, its very heavy for the first 2 days or so then it is just like a long period.

And having a section did not affect my milk coming in. But i did not BF so am unable to really help there. Good luck sweetie :hugs:

Hey there, I had an emergency first time and elective second time...

If you are really worried, I would speak to your consultant and they may arrange some kind of mild sedative? Obviously they will want you awake, and wont want anything to get to the baby but maybe there is something you can take? I actually used gas and air during the section near the end, so maybe that would help? The Spinal was a single injection into my spine, rather than a tube being fitted and it worked very quickly, within 5 mins of the injection I was totally numb, and was moving my feet again about an hour afterwards. Yeah, you will bleed the same, I was around 3 weeks. Breastfeeding wise, you will probably need to use a pillow to support the baby, as you will be sore, but its not that much harder id imagine, I breastfed both my kids after sections, gave up first time after a couple of weeks but still going strong this time. Just make sure you are well cushioned and you should be fine :) And try not to worry about it too much, they really arent that bad!:hug:

I just wanted to let you know I read...but don't have any answers babe.

hi i had an emergency c section and also an elective, the elective was so much better, everyone is so calm and reasurring and im sure they will do everything to put your mind at ease. They were wonderful with me and i suffer with anxiety too. You will surprise yourself at how well you can cope just focus on meeting your baby and its over before you know it. Best of luck and just try to enjoy the experience as best you can! xx

i had an elective c section adn it was fine. I chose not to have a sedative as it'd go through to baby but it is possible for those who are seriously stressed. The surgery didnt hurt and it was over within 30 minutes. I'd not panic if I were you - t'll be over before you know it and you wont feel any pain.

I posted my experience in birth stories, let me find the link for you...

http://www.babyandbump.com/birth-announcements-birth-stories/43416-tiny-toes-birth-story-c-section.html

Will I be given a sedative to calm my nerves before the spinal?
No. However, they may give you a sleeping aid the night before.

How does a spinal differ from an epidural?
A spinal definitely numbs your body from the boobs right down to your toes.

Probably a daft Q but will I have a period/bleed as I would expect the same as after having a vaginal delivery?
Unfortunately, yes. I bled for 3-4 weeks with all of my C-sections.

Will having a c-section affect breast feeding?
Not one bit. The only thing is it might be a bit more uncomfortable holding baby in certain positions.

My emergency C-section was far worse than the latter planned C-sections and recovery was much easier with the planned C-sections.

Just make sure you overlap the pain medication and take it regularly. Don't be afraid to bug the nurses when the time is up for your next dose of pain medication.

I've just had a planned C-section a week ago yesterday and I am now about 80% recuperated. Yesterday was the first day that I barely took anything for pain.

Good luck on your C-section. :hugs:

Thanks so much for your replies, they've all really helped put my mind at ease, yesterday was such a horrible day finding out about the c-section, I think I was numb and shocked at first and then the water works started and I was so stressed all afternoon and night. Today I feel much better about it, the more I understand of what's involved the more I can prepare myself so thank you all for your advice :thumbup: xXx

hello hun i had an emergency c section after a long painful labour.

i dont think they will give u a sedative. i had an epi which numbed me from the boobies down. yeah u will bleed i bled for about 6 weeks i think. the recovery can take some time one piece of adivce take ur time pace ur self and take ur pain meds. i rushed myself and opened my stitches.

yes i can breastfeed after a c section. i was very uncomforatble afterwards and found putting a big pillow on my lap to rest jack on helped. xxx

omg trust me when i say this, having a c section isnt that bad having the injection doesnt hurt one bit i had one of those and i didnt even feel it, u do still bleed after but its not that bad, but i will say the 1st 2days are the worst but one u are over them things going get better, and breastfeeding will be fine having a c-section wont stop u doing that, u will be fine done worry about anything if u have anymore question pm me

just listen to what the other girls said ..all will be fine


as for my c-section i was like you ..they had to give me something to calm me down and they did ..dont know what it was but it was good lol

the spinal lasts longer then the epi imo

Good luck with the c-section keep strong ..its so worth it in the end

http://www.babyandbump.com/birth-announcements-birth-stories/46807-jace-cameron-7-29-08-c-section-story-4.html

Also they did give me something to calm me down after i was in the OR already and after Jace was already out of my tummy. And As far as the Spinal I already had a epidural So the gave me extra meds in there so I did not have a spinal. if you need ANYTHING feel free to message me it can be very scarey ! I know I was scared at the time when i went threw it, but id do it 10x over again for my son.

I've had an emergency c/section and 2 planned and they were definitely a better experience recovery wise as well. Don't worry the theatre staff are all well trained and definitely stop you from feeling scared or nervous. The spinal injection I would say is better than epidural but you should discuss your options with your anaesathetist.

During your recovery period take your time doing all your normal things. You may feel fine but it can take much longer for your inside to heal. As for b/feeding you won't be any worse off than someone who has had a normal delivery. Anyway good luck and don't worry.

Looks like everyone’s chimed in and hopefully by now you’re starting to feel better about everything. As Amy said, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor to help ease those nerves. I actually work with a client that develops adhesion barriers for c-sections and put together a list of questions to help make that conversation with your doctor as comfortable and informative as possible. Though some of these may sound a bit alarming, the purpose of asking them in advance is so you can feel as prepared as possible for the big day and the implications of a C-section on your future health and pregnancies! I’d love to give you any further information if you find it helpful so don’t hesitate to ask. Congratulations and good luck!!!


Could you walk me through the entire procedure from start to finish?
Do the post op affects vary following a spinal or epidural anesthetic?
How long does it usually take to recover from a C-section?
How long will I be in the hospital?
What can I do to better prepare or recover from a C-section?
Can I experience any specific complications after my C-section?
What precautions do you take to prevent organ and nerve injury?
Will having a C-section affect my ability to breast-feed?
What does this C-section mean in regard to future pregnancies?
What are my risks for adhesions?
Do you or have you used adhesions barriers during surgery in the past?
What planning can we (patient and doctor) do now to reduce the risk of complications?