less than a week..?

Question

im scheduled to have a c section because the baby is breech and he will not turn...hes stubborn like his daddy...ne who its on thursday sugust 2nd and i am starting to get a really high amount of anxiety...my husband is in the ARMY and stationed in korea...he will not be able to be home for the birth...we have both accepted it...but i am so scared that something will go wrong and he will not be able to make it in time....or that the epidural will paralyze me...this is my second child but my first was born vaginally with no complications...im so scared that everything that can go wrong during this will go wrong...any advice on how to cope with this? and also what to expect before during and after?

Answer 1

First of all, c-sections are a breeze. I had two, both after unsuccessful vaginal deliveries (my kids are huge!). The baby's out in 20 mins or so, another 20 mins to stitch up, & clean up, and you're on your way. As for the epidural, it's almost unheard of to have complications with that. I didn't get complete relief from mine, so one of my kids was born c-section under general anesthesia.

You'll be sore, and in pain for a week, maybe 2, but you'll be able to sit down from day 1 lol.

Do you have a coach? Is someone taking care of baby #1 while you're recuperating?

The chances of something going wrong are really, really slim, especially since the baby's term. This baby won't be all red and scratched up, and his head won't be molded funny. Not having to go the natural way, taking the short-cut, the baby is put through almost no stress at all. And baby is beautiful from day 1.

Before-the epidural, you've been through that already. I don't think so, but they gave me an enema (20 years ago). Set up an IV just in case, probably with glucose in it.

You'll go into the room, which is cold, and they'll set up a surgical drape so you can't watch them and get scared. They put both of your arms out to the side and tape them there so that one side will be available for BP always and the other hand doesn't reach down and try to help.

They'll (probably 2 drs) talk to you the whole time, we're doing this, we're doing that, then it'll feel like tugging in your tummy. That was painful for me, because mine was 10 lbs 6 oz and her feet were tucked under my ribs. The release of pressure made me take a few deep breaths. The anesthesiologist quick dumped some valium into my IV.

They pulled her out, "it's a girl!" We knew that already and the nurses said, "Just look at those chipmunk cheeks!" People looking into the nursery said that one came half grown already.

They sew you up, you go to recovery for a few minutes, then they'll bring you to your room, put some pain killers in your IV and you get to rest a while.

When you wake up, you can call the nursery and they'll bring baby down to you. If you didn't already nurse in the OR, you can nurse at that point. Baby may be hungry! The nursery is mostly there to keep an eye on baby while you sleep. If you're breastfeeding, they will bring him down to you anytime he seems hungry. You stay 3-4 days and you can go home. I wasn't ready with either baby, so the drs. made up an excuse for the insurance company and I stayed 5 days.

I'm more worried about your anxiety. Lord knows, you've been through much, much more than any woman should have to, just with your man being overseas, not counting having a toddler and being ready to deliver, etc.

I take medication for anxiety disorder, but with you that probably won't work. So I have two suggestions:

Meditation. Find a quiet place, sit down and listen to yourself breathe. Let everything else slide by and just listen to your lungs. Think of a place that's calming and happy. As you get good at this, you'll be able to shut out the disquieting thoughts that have you upset and just focus on your breathing. Kinda like the hee-hee lessons they give in birthing classes.

Exercise: I know at this time it's not easy to exercise, but a good walk will help clear your mind, and the exercise will lighten your mood, too. I do all my walking someplace air conditioned.

I understand your fears, and believe me, if I could be there for a veteran's wife, I would be. Have quiet time, take a bubble bath, listen to your choice of music and generally take it easy.

But don't let those thoughts run rampant through your mind. Challenge them or replace them with good thoughts. But don't let them sit in your mind and brood on them. It's not good for you, or your baby.

I live in TX, and if there's anything I can do, I'd love to be of service. Do you have all the baby stuff you need? You have my e-mail and my greatest respect and gratitude for your family's service to our country. I'll help any way I can.

Debbie Villareal

Answer 2

Just relax! complications are very rare, they will take good care of you! you will be sore afterwards, and sometimes you can get headaches from the epidural, but all in all you will be just fine, and with a new baby to love! Stressing yourself out is not good and it won't change anything, so you should just look forward to your new baby! When you go in, just ask a lot of questions, that might put your mind at ease if you know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. Good luck and don't worry, women get c-sections everyday and are just fine! (my mother had two and we are great and she is great!)

Answer 3

for one let me say congrats on your little one and i'm sorry your having to go through this. What your feeling is completely normal. Try to relax i'm sure everything will be fine The odds of something going wrong are slim. Try to focus on the positive stressing out isnt good for either one of you i'm sure you know that. As for afterwards you'll be sore but you will make it through. During you wont feel anything with an epidural and it will be over before you know it. Relax as much as you can now. take care of yourself and your little one
Good luck to you best wishes

Answer 4

I was very scared with mine, I went in for an ultrasound and before I left the hospital to go home, they had it planned that I would come in the next day for a c section,

we got there in the morning, and they hooked me up to monitors and put a iv in and gave me a bunch of meds to take

I was then taken into the OR and they had me sit on the table and then gave me a spinal, a slight sharp pain, and then I couldn't feel anything from the just below my breasts down, weird but didn't hurt at all, layed me down then they put in a catheter and started the surgery, nothing hurt, and when they were getting the baby out all I could feel was lots of pressure no pain,

then he was out in about 10 mins, and they closed my tummy, I could see my son, then I went to recovery for about 1/2 hour then taken to my room, I was prepared for much worse then it was, oh yeah I was already getting feeling back in recovery, but with pain meds it seemed ok, gl to you

Answer 5

omg

im going in on the 6th with a c-section and my hubby is at sea (hes in the Navy) and will be missing the birth and im scared too. but take a cd player with you and listen to some music before hand it will calm you down... Classical is best for soothing fear.

and to ease fear atm i recommend a good movie and some comfort food... you deserve alittle indulging since your going in alone and its soon and get lots of rest:) CONGRADS

just to let u know
i wish u the best... i'll pray for u a safe delivery


EDIT- is this your 1st C-section?
if so it will go by soo fast i heard my baby cry after 5 mins with my 1st and then in about 10mins after bath etc... my hubby was holding her up so i could see her. It doesnt hurt while you have it done and you wont see anything and a nurse will be near your head talking to u making u feel comfortable.:) i was able to see my baby 20 mins after surgery her father took her for shots etc.. and brought her to my room.i didnt have her leave my site unless for shots/testing. and i was out in 2days!!! make sure you walk it hurts but sooner u walk less pain and more recovery.