Positive C-section advice?

I am scared of vaginal births, catheters and needles. With my first I had the epidural. My recommendation is to not look as they are setting up - think it's the same as having a spinal for csection. I dissociated so I was listening to their instructions but not looking at anything they did or even thinking about what they were doing. I tried to focus on relaxing as was trying to do the "don't stress in case it can pass to the baby". I had a csection as labour never progressed and honestly it was a relief. It was so calm, they explained everything to me. The only thing I felt was like washing was being done inside me but it wasn't painful at all and my recovery wasn't bad either. The catheter I didn't feel either. X

I had an elective section with my little boy who is now 2, was the most relaxing peaceful birth! it all went so well and so quick and was over before I knew it! Also healed really quickly! I’m booked in for my second elective next week!❤️

I had a planned c section 4 months ago and I dont regret the choice one bit! I also have a phobia of needles and each blood test i had to do during pregnancy was very stressful. The day of the section my mind was so busy thinking about the baby that honestly every poke felt less stressful than blood work. During the putting of the spinal block taking deep breaths helped and ot was over before I knew

Had mine today and it was a beautiful experience. I’m up and looking after bubs and totally in love 🩷 you’ll be amazing!

I had an emergency c section 2 years ago and an elective c section 6 days ago. I have a catheter phobia so I told the nurses and they helped me avoid seeing it. The needle for the surgery itself sounds scarier then it is. I found it less painful then getting the one for IV fluids. Goodluck momma !

I also have a general anxiety disorder lol so I asked to have barf bags already there, tissues for crying and they put cold cloths on my head. And hard as it is when your scared try to control your breathing. I focused on looking at my husband or the blue on the sheet. I avoided looking at the room.

I have a needle phobia as well and was absolutely fine. You’ll be so excited to meet your baby you won’t care. It’s uncomfortable but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Don’t be nervous at all, it’s the most amazing experience xx

I had a scheduled c-section in August. It was so peaceful and an amazing experience. I was able to request music to be played, and while they were prepping me, I closed my eyes and listened to the music, and it went so fast. Soon, my husband was next to me, and soon after that, my daughter was on my chest. My advice is to close your eyes and breathe through it. Recovery was super smooth and painless.

I had an emergency for my twins and it went really great. They can adjust the medication once the spinal is in so if I started to feel a bit nauseous they could give me more anti sickness directly through it. I just focused on it won't be long until I get to meet them, that was what I concentrated on the most for the needle in my back and they did the catheter after I was numb so I didn't feel a thing 😊 All the best for tomorrow! Xx

I was extremely anxious for my elective section, cried every day on the run up to it, once I got to the hospital I was so calm and all of the nurses, midwives, surgeons made sure I was relaxed throughout and reassured me constantly. Honestly it was a great experience and I’d 100% choose to have one again if I have any more babies. Good luck for tomorrow x

I was scared of vaginal birth. C-section was honestly the best experience of my life so calm and controlled. Of course in the lead up I was still really nervous but I would 100% do it again every time x

I was so so so nervous, I very nearly didn’t go ahead with it but I’m so glad I did and I’d have another easily. I have major anxiety especially health anxiety but it all went fine. They tell you everything they are doing and it only lasts about 30 mins from start to finish. I hate needles too, I put numbing cream on my hand for the canula and I honestly didnt feel the spinal because they put some numbing spray on my back for that! They also put the catheter in after you are numb and when the screen is up so you honestly dont even know it’s in! I felt dizzy probably with nerves once I lay on the table but they quickly gave me meds and it was gone within seconds I was amazed! Please send me a message if you’d like to chat. Good luck, I am so excited for you to meet your baby! X

@Emma thank you, how did you stay calm? I have panic attacks just walking into hospital 🤦🏼‍♀️

@Megan thank you, any tips? I haven’t slept properly for over a week worrying about it and so anxious for tomorrow xx

@Jasmine thank you so much xx

@Hannah thank you I went to look at theatre and this made me panic so just worried I won’t be able to go through with it xx

@Jade thank you so much, this is how I’ve been just constantly been worrying and I just don’t feel ready xx

@Kayley it's hard but I just didn't think about what I was going into, what I was doing or the birth to be honest. I used a lot of hypnobirthing techniques by only thinking positive things, writing them down, listening to music that made me happy, didn't have my partner talking about stuff that might stress me out. Brought some books to read. Stuff like that. It's hard to not think about it though. I have a csection booked for Friday and trying to do the same techniques but anxious still x

@Emma thank you been trying to keep myself calm at home by doing colouring etc but I’m just worried about the surgery xx

You can request numbing cream for the canula or if you have time buy some. It's embla cream. I am terrified! And I mean terrified of needles and it's what I used for all my blood tests. It sort of helped with the canula but I think they did mine wrong because it hurt when ever it was touched and tbe nurses couldn't work out why. The needle in your spines not actually that bad. I don't know if it's because I was having contractions, but litrally vaccinations are way, way worse. Tiny scratch that was it. Honestly I'd give that one an 8/10. Just remember to breath, i find closing my eyes and imagining something i dont fear attack me if I can feel it. For me it's usually a crab. It makes it a lot easier for me to not panic. The surgery itself was super calm. I was terrified, mine was an emergency. But I laid there signing to myself until my daughter was with me. They all got to hear my terrible signing at 8am

My planned c section was amazing. I was nervous ( you’re bound to be ) but as soon as your baby is out (within 15 mins) you’ll forget about the ‘procedure’ I’m two weeks post partum and feel great xxx

I was extremelyyy nervous about mine last month but I can honestly say the experience was amazing! I was irrationally nervous about not being feel my legs again lol and the surgery itself but honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The spinal didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would, more like a sharp scratch. The numbing process was weird at first as you are numbed basically all the way up to your boobs so can take a bit of getting used to. The surgery itself is painless, can just feel some tugging etc.. I had forceps used so my tugging was intense but again, nothing terrible. The surgery itself is super quick - you’ll meet baby in 5-10 minutes and stitched up within 45. My recovery was great.. the numbness wore off about 3-5 hours later. I was able to take a walk the same night which actually wasn’t bad. Just take painkillers like clockwork and keep moving (when you can and slowly) after and honestly you’ll be okay! Good luck you’ve got this! If I can do it, you can 💕

I was panicking too. I just had mine on the 27th. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s a major surgery. They typically offer meds for extreme anxiety as well. But I will say it’s a much better experience planned. Your body has an easier time and you know what to expect for the worst of it. The worst part of mine was the spinal and only because I have ehlers danlos so they had a hard time getting the spinal fluid to flow back first.

I had mine last week and honestly I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and calm birth. Everyone in the room was sooo lovely and all took their time speaking to me and telling me what they were going to be doing ext. My recovery so far has also been really good. Lots of resting, baby snuggles ans some light walking. I hope yous going well! Xx

I have a needle phobia also. My c section was decided after failed induction. My c section was super easy and fast. I was up and walking pretty fast after the surgery and off pain meds within a few days

Spinal phobia here. But am here to say I’ve done it 5 times so I know you got this!! Just remember to relax and breathe through it.

I had a c section due to terrible anxiety from hospitals. My heart rate was always so high the second i stepped foot in a hospital. When they come and see you in the morning mention you are very anxious and worried about a panic attack. I was told they had medication for me to help keep me calm and relaxed if I needed it. I didn’t end up having it though, it all happens so quick. I found talking to the surgeons really helped calm me down too x