I felt like I could not breath during my c-sections. anyone else experience this?

Question

i've had 2 c-sections one 4 years ago and another 2 years ago and to this day i think of what a horrible experience it was. I felt like i would die and i've never felt that way before. The first time I was induced and my sons heart rate started to drop so i had an emergency c-section after i had already had an epidural. The anesthesiologist told me "you are going to feel like there is a horse on your chest" and then it started...i felt like i had someone's hands around my throat choking me. i felt like my eyes were going to roll back in my head and i whispered to my husband that i can't see the baby until i can breath again because i thought if i saw the baby i would definately faint from overwhelming emotion! I have always felt guilty for that and wish i could go and tell all the nurses that heard that that i didn't mean i didn't want the baby! i was just out of my mind scared i couldn't breath....anyway, i've never met anyone else who experienced a c-section like this.

Answer 1

Try not to feel guilty if you can, and go easier on yourself...

They cut into your body with a knife! That is a trauma to your body and soul, even if your wonderful baby came out because of it. It is hard to get used to that. It is upsetting.

I didn't feel like I couldn't breathe during my c-section-- it actually went pretty well and was over quick, even though I had had a hard labor, too. But still, afterwards, and sometimes even now, 8 months later-- I still have weird scary flashbacks. They cut into my body!! With a knife!!!

The best thing we can do is talk about these sorts of things with other women who understand, just as you're doing. Childbirth is a powerful event. C-sections, while sometimes necessary (and I'm really grateful for mine) -- no matter how much doctors act like it's "normal"-- are NOT normal or natural. It is scary to be operated on for anything and especially at a time of so much power and fear and grace as childbirth. We will all have different reactions to them.

Peace and health,
NM

Answer 2

My C-section was also an emergency one, after I had spent an hour and 30 minutes pushing, it was in the best interest for me and the baby to have the c-section. I think with the combination from the drugs and what your body goes through during pregnancy and child birth it takes alot out of you. I was totally out of it when my daughter came into this world. I could not talk nor cry,I was so thirsty; I was paralyzed pretty much. I could feel them pushing on my stomach and I thought what is going on, but it felt like it was all the way up my chest. I could breathe OK, but the other things I experienced was like nothing else I had ever been through.

Answer 3

I did not have this experience, however, when I was reading up on c-sections before mine 7 months ago, I came across information related to this, mostly from other moms who describe not being able to breathe during and after the procedure. I tried to search this on the web just now, but even though I found personal stories, I cannot find the site that detailed why it happened. I do remember it being something about a reaction to the epidural. Hope this helps a bit!

Answer 4

Did they give you a narcotic? I had a c-section with my second baby, and had a spinal block, so I was numb...didn't need anything for breakthrough pain. I had surgery several years ago (unrelated) and was given morphine for pain, and I felt the same way...felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take a deep breath. I remember (vaguely!) screaming for the nurse over and over, but I couldn't take enough air in my lungs to properly yell, so it came out as a hoarse whisper. Eventually I drifted off (good old narcotics for you!) and when I woke, I was fine. The nurse said it was a reaction to the morphine, and they switched me to something else.

I don't think epidurals numb you completely, so maybe the anesthesiologist gave you a narcotic for any pain you might have, and you had a similar reaction to mine. This would be my guess.

Answer 5

OH YES!!! I have had four children vaginally and this last one was so big at over 11pounds that there was no way I was pushing him out! Anyways they put the spinal in and layed me down and within minutes I was spinning and tears were running from my eyes because I couldn't breath! I honestly felt that I was dying! I kept looking around and all that I could do was whisper that I couldn't breath! I was terrified!!! They even said that they had given me to much numbing medicine! they put the stupid oxogen tubes that go by my nose and that didn't help because my nose was plugged! I asked for a mask and they didn't have one and sent a nurse to run and get one. It took me over 12 hours afterwards before I could even hold my son by myself! I was so numb! Never Never do I ever want to do that again!!!

Answer 6

I was fortunate enough to not have a c-section but a friend of mine had the same experience with her c-section that you just described. She couldn't breathe and ended up passing out from exhaustion and didn't see her baby until 4 hours after she had him. I'm sorry that happened to you. Better luck next time!

Answer 7

Well when I had my son 1yr and a half ago, I had that same problem, but I could feel them cutting me left to right, I started hyper-ventilating and then they finally gave me oxygen and I passed out when they said he's here. But I just wanted to have my baby in my arms I cried for him to come to momma all the way to my room and finally quit when they brought my son to me, it is over whelming going through a pregnancy and giving birth. I don't know if we are talking about the same thing but, it was overwhelming, but I just cried cause I was excited and it was a long 20 hours I was glad he had finally arrived.

Answer 8

Oh my! I'm glad that I was put to sleep during my c-section. The epidural didn't take (they try inserting the needle where my spine is fused) and was sending electrical surges down my spine. I, too, was trembling just watching the nurses and my OB/GYN getting everything ready for my surgery. I couldn't talk due to nerves and my teeth were chattering. I told the anestheisologist just to PUT ME OUT!

Answer 9

Could Not Breath

Answer 10

I've had four c-sections and three of them were ok, but the last one wich was seven months ago was quite an experience, they have to put more anestesia, I felt really sleepy and like I was druged, besides I was getting anxious to just get out and leave.