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Michaela
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I need to hear from other moms who have had c-sections. Compare notes 
I've had two previous c-sections (Nicholas was an emergency c-section -- Nathan & Olivia were both breech so I knew it was coming) and with this baby I was told since I've had two c-sections and no vaginal births....I had to have another.
My concern is with my reaction to the anesthesia.
How have you reacted to the spinal meds? What's appropriate or within the "normal" range?
I was told the epidural numbs the lower half of my body. However, it completely knocks me out like general anesthesia would.
My last c-section I started crying on the table because I felt like I couldn't breathe. I honestly thought I was dying. The anesthesiologist tried to reassure me telling me that I was breathing because my chest was rising & falling. I just couldn't feel it. I went numb up to my lips. Then she said something to the doctor in that medical lingo. Then I went out & remember nothing except maybe two seconds in a recovery room....a male nurse was feeding me ice chips.
Then out again until I awoke while being wheeled into my room.
I'm scared. I constantly cry when thinking about this c-section. (including now while typing this out) Yes, I even think maybe I should write my children letters....just in case. 
I honestly think the meds affect me too much.
When I see moms on the show The Baby Story having a c-section they are awake, talking, and some even joke.
That's not me. I'm nervous. I've had stupid thoughts to just stay home instead of go to the hospital. I can't even stand the idea of doctors telling me when my baby will come out....what if she's not ready?!?!
I believe they took Nathan too early. Two more weeks would have helped him put on weight (he's my under 4lb baby)
She has to come out, but I'm so nervous. I'd appreciate hearing from someone who has gone through it. Maybe my reaction is normal.....for me. (?)
Thank you!
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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kingvozzo
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Oh, Michaela! 
I'm sorry I don't have any c-section wisdom for you, but lots of prayers coming your way, for peace especially.
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Noreen
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Elizabeth
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Dear Michaela,
Many prayers coming your way. You need to talk to Molly Smith. She's a pro at navigating anesthesia. I'll flag her for you.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Cleo
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I'm no pro but did survive two csections... The first was an emergency, and it was very freaky. I was sure that the anethesist was strangling me. With hindsight, he probably just reached for something over my head, but I saw his hand over my face just when I felt I couldn't breathe anymore. Just before I blacked out, I was completely sure he was murdering me... So I get what you're going through...
The second csection, I had the one that's similar to an epidural. That went well.. (that's about the only part of the csection that went well. But I didn't like it when the doctor asked me if I wanted to push instead. She had just checked me out and I was all ready to push. I freaked because I hadn't felt a thing at all! My first thought was 'wow, someone could rape me, and I wouldn't know!' (I didn't push, btw, and did very well not to. My scar from the first csection split open from the labour, and my DD's shoulder was in my belly when they cut me open)... Freaky...
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jdostalik
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Dear Michaela,
I am praying for you...no words of wisdom but please be assured of my prayers...when is your c-sec scheduled?
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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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blairb4
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Have you talked to your OB about this? What does he/she say? I've had 2 c/s and one of them I felt like I couldn't breathe, but the anest. was very reassuring and I think a lot of it was anxiety. I felt better after a few minutes and when my husband was allowed in.
Are you sure they didn't put you under general anest. when you started getting upset? Were you under general for your first c/s? Have you had both epidural and spinal deliveries? Both of mine were epidurals since I was laboring before them. But next time (God-willing we're blessed again) I'll probably have the spinal, so I'm a bit worried not knowing how I'll react to it.
Honestly, I was horrified at having to have another c/s for #2. It took me weeks to get over the disappointments of both deliveries. Now I'm at peace for the most part with future c/s because my labors were so long and horrible.
Praying that you come to peace with it all. I hope your doctor can help relieve your fears. If not, have you considered changing doctors? Could you hire a doula or other labor support person to help you?
I'm sorry your dealing this.
~~~
Blair in TX, wife of Steven '01
Mommy to Mary Clare '03 and Elizabeth '05
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Alice R
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Oh Michaela,
I've had two tough C-sections also.
The first two were vaginals. Baby #1 was so darn big that his arm broke during the delivery and tore me so badly I needed 40 stiches to repair me. (I healed fine because everyone gasps at that! Really, it's all OK!)
Baby #2 was an easy vaginal. He was also 1 month early and looked like he would fit.
Baby #3. I had no idea when i got pregnant since my cycle had not returned from baby #2 and my mom had just died and I thought I was depressed  and then God smiled on us!  However, date of conception was unknown. Estimates were not so accurate since the previous babies were BIG. Finally, when it seemed she was gonna be over 10 pounds and no signs of labor...we did a C-sections. I felt it was the safest route considering that horrible first delivery.
Anyway, to your question...oh that C-section was terrible. They started cutting and I could feel some it. They tried to numb me more and it didn't really work. They gave me something to "calm me down" and I woke up 6 hours later in recovery with absolutely NO idea what had happpend. I was so groggy I couldn't talk-all disoriented. I really thought the baby died and they knocked me out. Finally I was able to indicate that although I was so groggy and couldnt' move...my brain was still working and I was very scared! That got all straightened out and everything was fine.
Baby #4. Possible C or VBAC. My choice. I had a bad feeling and went with the C-section. Good thing because as he did the C-section, I was starting to open from the last C-section and my OB was saying "Oh, thank God we did a C-section"
I was prepared and talked and talked to the OB and anastesiologist (can't spell that!) extensively. They really worked hard to give me the best C-section. During the C-section I got nauseous and vomited repeatedly. Seems I was allergic to whatever meds were used. I threw up for 24 hours straight. I got violently dizzy. It was so bad I was screaming and I am a very quiet person. I was hypothermic from something and got moved to ICU. Within about 24 hours everything was settled down. I'm fine and the baby was fine.
I look at those baby shows-both vaginal and C-section and just wonder and WHO has deliveries like that???
 I'm so jealous.  And shocked!
I'm petrified of another C-section and a 10 pounder is not exactly an easy vaginal either.
I totally know how you feel. I cry just thinking about it. I was stressing the entire pregnancy just wondering HOW this baby was gonna get out of me.
Big Hugs for you and I'll pray for you. Maybe this time will be better?
Alice
__________________
Mom to Nathaniel (10), Noah (8) Alise (6) Rebekah (3)and expecting another blessing Faith, Grace and Family
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SeaStar
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Please, please talk to your OB about all your fears and anxieties. Perhaps they could give you a safe sedative preop for anxiety or try a different anesthetic regime to make the c-section better for you. Perhaps your OB can talk you through all the details of the first two surgeries and explain what happened clearly in terms you understand- sometimes understanding exactly what happened can relieve your fears.
Ask your OB to help make this c-section the best of the bunch. If your doctor isn't willing to go overboard to make it better, maybe you can find another doctor who will. C-sections are unpleasant (I've had two), but they don't have to be horrible. I will be keeping you in my prayers....
God bless
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kjohnson
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I don't have any words of wisdom to offer either, but you are in my prayers. 
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Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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4 lads mom
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Hi Michaela,
You poor dear....I too have been through many deliveries that were less than ideal. No c/s's personally, but I have worked in L&D in a previous life....and have scrubbed in on plenty of them...I agree completely with Seastar..talk to your doc, tell them exactly what you just wrote here....pray that the Holy Spirit will guide this discussion with your doctor. Take notes at this meeting, have your husband go too or if he can't go, have someone who you trust go with you so you can talk to them afterwards and review what is said...
Let us know what happens...
Peace,
4 Lads' Mom
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Leonie
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My last baby ( number 7 ) was an emergency C section.
To be honest, it was my best delivery ever.
I tend to have large babies and difficult deliveries and I go natural - no drugs. I found the epidural for the C section to be wonderful,my first drug for childbirth - in spite of my many fears re compications it was fine. I was awake and aware but not tired for the birth. My recovery was less tiring too - difficult labours take a lot out of me.
I took Arnica for six weeks before delivery and six weeks after the c section and I think that helped with healing. I was back to my daily walking ( albeit slowly ) within two weeks.
I will keep you in my prayers - and positive thoughts help a lot. Discuss the issues with your doctor - and hopefully the anesthetic issues can be sorted so your experience can be as positive as mine.
God Bless!
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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JennGM
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Michaela,
Prayers for you. The fear is understandable...but you're still here, and all these other stories the moms are still here and their babies are fine.
I agree that you should talk to the doctor about your fears. Don't hesistate...ask him to go into step by step.
I had a high-risk c-section, and I was scared, too. I had an epidural, though, not a spinal.
I talked with the doctor, the anesthesiologist. But mostly I prayed. I got the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, received communion, had prayer warriors across the country (actually some in Europe, too) too praying for me. THAT is what helped me deal with my fears...really, I just couldn't do it without grace.
On the operating table I had a St. Gerard handkerchief in one hand and a small rope decade rosary in the other and just prayed. Crisis times are a perfect example of the need of rote prayer, as my nerves were so jittery I couldn't concentrate.
A pastor of the local church has a wonderful bedside manner and offered to come into surgery with me and my husband. And he talked and chatted, got to know me...and stayed with me when my dh went with my son. He even mopped my brow, wiped away tears, and held the bowl to help me throw up.
What helped me was to not think about what was going on in the operation. I didn't look, I tried not to think about how I felt.
I will really pray for you for peace.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Carole N.
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Michaela:
I delivered both of my natural born children planned C-section. My first delivery was a breeze. Actually, he came early, so I was in the early stages of labor, but there was no stress or risk to the baby--he was just ready to be born.
I was not worried about the birth of my dd, but I had a different aneth. He tried a different procedure and I had a seizure on the table before the delivery. I remember that my dh was out of the room, and I wondered if they were delivering the baby or not. When I became coherent, I found that they just waited until I came around before delivering the baby. Again a no stress situation.
I agree that you should talk to your OB and your aneth. Tell them about your experience. They certainly should want to make sure that you are under as little stress as possible. It is best for you and the baby.
I will pray for you and for a peacefule and safe delivery.
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Carole ... in Wales
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Donna
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Dear Michaela,
I’m going to offer all my recent struggles for you and keep you in my prayers every morning until you deliver.
I’ve had 7 C-Sections and understand your apprehension.
Three were general anesthesia, 1 epidural, and 3 spinals. By far, the spinals have been the best for me. I never got the headache associated with spinals. I did have that feeling, as you did, of not being able to breathe. As soon as I relaxed, the feeling went away. Also with that spinal, I was numb all the way up to my neck. For my next C-Section, I told the anesthesiologist what had happen previously, and he took great care to make sure it didn’t happen that time.
The epidural was by far the roughest. It began to wear off during the surgery. I spoke up, “I can feel that.” “I can feel that!” “I CAN FEEL THAT !!!!!!!!!” They then tried to put me completely out, but in my stubbornness to be awake when the baby was born, I fought the mask they tried to cover my nose with, and asked them not to put me out. (OK, I didn’t ask…I demanded.) Anyway, they added more meds and I numbed up again and was able to stay awake.
I have learned that being as relaxed as possible is key. During my last C-Section, I completely gave the entire procedure over to God and whispered Hail Marys the entire time before they put me out. It was by far my easiest surgery. I was able to go home two days later.
I know it’s not easy to relax. Just try to trust that all will be well. Praying to Our Lady is so helpful.
You are in my prayers, Michaela
__________________
Donna
DH, Keven
Jason, Stevie, Marie, Jackson, Clara, and Aaron
Jacob, Sam, and Regina with God
Grandbabies Leigha and Elsie
Moments Like These
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Molly Smith
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Michaela, I am right there with you. I understand your fears and had you in constant prayer yesterday and tonight. You will continue to be in my prayers through the birth of your baby.
All of my six children have been born via c-section, and I would like to encourage you not to see the c/s as a black cloud looming overhead. You have been blessed with the gift of another child, and whether that child is born naturally or with medical help, you have a sweet new baby you can look forward to meeting. Of course you need to prepare for the c/s and hospital stay, but whenever you are afraid please try to imagine that soon you will have a newborn in your arms. I think it’s perfectly natural for us to be scared before any surgery, particularly when another life is concerned.
I heartily encourage you to speak with your OB about your anesthesia options and concerns. Before this most recent birth, I actually called the anesthesiologist directly and had a long, detailed discussion with him. We went over my options, my wishes (demands!), possible side effects and made a plan. It was a relief to know that the decisions were made, and I completely trusted the anesthesiologist and my doc.
My first four c/s were with an epidural. I felt no pain with any of them. When my fifth child was born, it was standard procedure to do an epidural/spinal combination. That was to provide a faster block and it would wear off more quickly. It did both of those things. I felt great and came home in after just two nights. I would have done it again in a heartbeat, but I was a rare exception who developed a spinal headache and had to go back for a blood patch, however, I must add that we also discovered that I have an unusually narrow spinal column and not much room for my spinal cord to float around. As an aside, my brother had the exact experience after knee surgery, so we suspect it’s a genetic thing. I don’t know anyone else who has had a spinal headache/blood patch.
Anyway, because of the spinal headache experience, I opted to go back to a straight epidural when our sixth child was born. The docs discouraged me because they thought it would not provide adequate pain relief, but I was willing to take the chance. I did experience some pain during that last tugging when my daughter was being born, but it was soon over and I was gazing upon my sweet Veronica. I then received some demoral and was instantly relieved of any pains. I think the reason I was able to stay calm was because all of these possibilities had been discussed over the phone the week prior, and then that day again prior to the birth.
You (or your dh) also need to be sure you are comfortable in the OR. Don’t be afraid to tell the nurses or anesthesiologist that you are cold or anxious. I always had warm blankets on my arms, but this last time I had a new warming contraption that was absolutely wonderful. I wish I could have one at home! I also had the crazy oxygen thing in my nose—it’s not so comfortable, but did help me remember to breathe and it’s better than the mask. Also, if you have your mother, mil or a close friend nearby, tell the hospital you’d like to have someone stay with you in recovery.
I completely understand your fear of having the baby before he/she’s ready. I’m always pretty confident with my dates, so we usually schedule the c/s for my due date. However, four of the six children have decided to make an early appearance! It was nice to go into labor and know that the baby was ready. However, with the two who waited for their due date, I had the confidence that they at least had been cookin’ for 9 months! So, as tempting as it may be to try to meet your little one ahead of schedule, I encourage you to schedule the c/s as close as possible to your due date. Of course talk to your doctor about how long he wants you to labor before calling. If a c/s is certain, then he may only want you to have a few hours or less of regular contractions. Please don’t take this as medical advice!
Finally, please prepare for your hospital stay so that you will have all the creature comforts. Bring along some pretty nursing gowns, a bed jacket (that’ll be on my list for next time!), maybe your own soft blanket, books, tea bags, makeup and hairbrush, body lotion, and anything else that brings you comfort. Be prepared to stay the full time, and as soon as you’re able, walk around a bit and make your room a little nest for you and your newborn. Use a lamp instead of the overhead lights, and if there’s not a lamp, ask for one. Don’t skimp on the pain meds—take what they give you, if you can tolerate it. There’ll be plenty of time for weaning off of them, but don’t hinder your recovery and babymoon with pain in those first days.
Michaela, I hope at least some of this has been helpful. Feel free to pm if you want to talk in more detail. Or, if you want to have an IRL chat, please just pm me and I’ll call you—I have free long distance!!
__________________
Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
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Tina P.
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My 7th was my first C-Section. I already had an epidural in when the doctor noticed that her cord was prolapsed. Therefore, it turned into an emergency. I shook like a storm-tossed leaf. My hands were strapped to the table. I couldn't even hold my newborn for over an hour after her birth. The pediatrician, bless him, let me nuzzle her with my face. I don't know whether the shaking was caused by the anesthetic, or by my adrenalin rush. After the birth and having been sewn up, I was wrapped in heated towels in a recovery room for an hour. There, gradually, the shaking slowed.
You all talk about no pain. I felt tugging during the procedure and wicked burning sensations around the site of the scar after. In fact, a nurse gave me something to take for the pain and then told me to get up within the 1/2 hour and walk around. I made it just to outside my door and called for help because I was blacking out.  Can you tell I don't take meds very often? I don't think she meant for me to take the meds right away, but that's what I did!
During the procedure, I prayed fervently that everything would turn out well. I will pray for your procedure as well, Michaela. My goodness, your named for the great Angel. He surely will defend you! 
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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Tina P.
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BTW, Michaela, my experience with my #7 did give me pause. I wondered whether this was God's way of telling me not to have any more children. It was a grueling experience for me. But I'd do it all over again to have another sweet life in my hands.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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Angel
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I have had 2 C-sections. My first was scary because it was an emergency, and I had no idea what to expect. Also, it was an epidural, which I have problems with... my vertebrae are very close together and the epidural needle is so large that getting the epidural is often more painful than contractions. They had to put it in twice for it to work.
My 2nd C-section went MUCH better. It was not an emergency, and I was not in painful labor. It was a spinal, which is a smaller needle and had fewer bad effects. They gave me pain medication in the spinal as well, so I did not have to have morphine later... having had my gallbladder removed, I have a horrible time with morphine. It makes me so sick. So this was MUCH better.
With both of my C-sections, I felt as if I couldn't breathe and was numbed up to my chest. I hated being paralyzed and was very anxious about it. But the 2nd one was better than the first because I was expecting it, and could tell myself, "You will feel like you can't breathe, but it's ok, because you've been through it before. You won't be able to move your legs even though you want to, and it's ok."
Even so, the anastheologist kept telling me my heart rate was too high and to relax. I guess I sometimes make jokes in labor, but that's just my way of dealing with anxiety, not being relaxed!!!!
My thoughts and prayers for you... I'd take the 6 hour, drug-free vaginal birth of my daughter over the births of my 4 boys any day...
--Angela
Mom to 3+2
Three Plus Two
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Molly Smith
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| Posted: Nov 16 2006 at 9:35am | IP Logged
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I should clarify my statement about not feeling any pain. I do not mean that I didn't feel anything, just that I didn't feel pain. There was all the normal tugging of a c/s birth, it just wasn't painful. I don't remember burning sensations at the incision site, but I had sensation there--again a tugging feeling, itching, things one might expect after surgery. I was always good about taking my pain medication, so possibly if I wasn't on the pain meds I might have felt pain instead of just annoying sensations.
I know I may be in the minority, but I have never hesitated to take the pain meds. I have never had a vaginal birth, so I have no experience with unmedicated births. I have lots of experience with surgical births, though, and strongly feel that it is unwise to skimp on the pain meds after major surgery. We need our bodies to heal so that we can care for our newborns and families. If I am in pain, I am grumpy, depressed and otherwise just unpleasant to be around. I don't eat right, sleep right or keep any kind of priorities in order.
I think it's helpful for anyone who has had a c/s to share their experiences, and how they handled their surgery and recovery because we have so much to learn from each other. I also think that those of us for whom surgical births are our only option find a different way of adapting to the situation than those who have experienced both vaginal and surgical and have a basis for comparison. As I've said before, we know that surgical births are not ideal, and I do wish that I'd had only vaginal births, but knowing that it's our only choice we find a way past the feelings of guilt, fear, comparison or other negative feelings, to enjoy the full pregnancy, anticipation of a new baby, meeting that sweet one in childbirth and caring for our newborns and growing families in the same way that other moms do.
We work past, accept and even embrace the fact that those few hours of childbirth are different for us, and for reasons we cannot yet understand, God has chosen this path for us. I absolutely do NOT believe that this is God's way of telling me not to have more children. In fact, our little girl was 8 weeks yesterday and when we sat down to morning prayers, I knew that someone was missing. Everyone, including my dh, was waiting on me and I said that I was waiting for everyone to get there. They looked at me strangely and said that everyone was there, and they were. I'd had an overwhelming feeling that someone was missing. My dh said he's been feelings the same way. I don't think God has closed any doors for my family, in fact I think he's already planting the seed to keep the door open. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
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Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
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JennGM
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Molly Smith wrote:
I know I may be in the minority, but I have never hesitated to take the pain meds. I have never had a vaginal birth, so I have no experience with unmedicated births. I have lots of experience with surgical births, though, and strongly feel that it is unwise to skimp on the pain meds after major surgery. We need our bodies to heal so that we can care for our newborns and families. If I am in pain, I am grumpy, depressed and otherwise just unpleasant to be around. I don't eat right, sleep right or keep any kind of priorities in order.
I think it's helpful for anyone who has had a c/s to share their experiences, and how they handled their surgery and recovery because we have so much to learn from each other. I also think that those of us for whom surgical births are our only option find a different way of adapting to the situation than those who have experienced both vaginal and surgical and have a basis for comparison. As I've said before, we know that surgical births are not ideal, and I do wish that I'd had only vaginal births, but knowing that it's our only choice we find a way past the feelings of guilt, fear, comparison or other negative feelings, to enjoy the full pregnancy, anticipation of a new baby, meeting that sweet one in childbirth and caring for our newborns and growing families in the same way that other moms do.
We work past, accept and even embrace the fact that those few hours of childbirth are different for us, and for reasons we cannot yet understand, God has chosen this path for us. I absolutely do NOT believe that this is God's way of telling me not to have more children. |
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Molly, I want to quote your entire post. It's just beautiful. I can only have surgical births, and the same with another sister...and I heartily agree with all your advice and sentiments.
My original post I didn't answer your questions, Michaela, about how I reacted to the epidural. I didn't feel any pain, just some tugging, but I didn't feel great. I reacted to some of the meds...I kept crying and shaking. The doctors kept telling me that everything was going to be fine, and I kept trying to explain that I was crying spontaneously because of the meds, not from me! They had my arms pinned down, but they put warmed blankets on me. My blood pressure dropped a bit, and I was dry heaving, as I react to Demoral (told them, but they didn't believe me), so they had to drug me a bit with anti-nausea medicine which really makes you tired and loopy. At one point it felt like I couldn't breathe, but when they explained I was, and it was just how the numbing makes you feel, that calmed me down.
Afterwards was harder for me. Morphine and the epidural combination can sometimes cause itchiness...and it did for me. Crazy itchiness. And one leg was numb longer than the rest. I was on the IV drip for longer than most...I can't imagine getting up in a 1/2 hour after surgery? Did I read that correctly?
Like Molly, I took all the meds as suggested. What I would do differently if I have the opportunity for another birth is bring a travel alarm clock. The hospital I used requires the patient to request the meds, and I lost track of time and had some very painful moments where my meds had lapsed.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Scared - upcoming c-section
