C sections

Ok so I am really scared of having one of these. I'm not scared about it being abdominal surgery as I have had 2 surgeries on my tummy and can handle that. The thing that scares me the most is the being awake while it happens. Please anyone who has had a c section reasure me that it is ok and its not that bad.

A bit of both, I had a low lying placenta at my first scan and won't find out till Wed of its moved. If its moved then its moved to the back as I am feeling heaps of movement. I think it is a fear I have of being awake while having an "operation".

I had a c section also, and once the Anethetist has done his/her job (which by the way is the most painful part of the process), you dont feel anything except them tugging to get baby out, and if you do feel anything they will knock you out straight away.

Another thing is the anethetist will explain to you everything that he/she is going to do, before and during, so you are always in the know.

I had to have an emergency C-section after a 40 hour labour. (Amelia decided to put her head back at the last minute).

Anyway, I was soooo tired by then that I actually fell asleep on the table, but did wake up to feel them take her out, and also remove the placenta - was a strange feeling - that sudden lightness, and then someone delving around in your tum. They explained that you can't feel anything, but you can feel pressure, which is exactly right. I'd had an epi put in 12 hours before, so I didn't have a problem having the anaesthetic put in. Although I tried to throw up afterwards (I hate anaesthetics ... they all do that to me) and a bit of a breathing problem because the epi block had moved right up and I was numb from the neck down.

And yes, I cried when they told me I had to have one - from the disappointment of a looong labour and then being cut open. But all the staff were fabulous and really look after you well, plus you get to meet your bubba at the end, so it all fades away fairly quickly.

Agree with the anaesthetist part! I had a really, really lovely guy who distracted me heaps. I told him I was really scared, and he did everything to make sure I was as comfortable as the situation would allow.

The emergency part is a lil scary, but I'd resigned myself to the fact of a c-section because Ashlee wasn't going anywhere, not even budging after more than 8 hours into the induction! In saying that though, I think I'll be worse with knowing I was booked in for a c-section if it was elective. I was so naive with this one because it was my first, so next time I'll probably psych myself out and stress big time because I know what's coming!

You well and truly can't feel any pain, but you do feel pressure. It's such a weird feeling! It's really hard to describe. I like the handbag description though lol. I laughed while it was all going on because it was just strange! Then I thought, hmmm better not laugh because my belly will wobble and they might cut something they're not meant to! And after the few minutes it takes to get babe out, you're so distracted with listening to bubs crying and wanting to see him/her that you don't even notice they're stitching you back up. It all took less than half an hour (I think?! well it felt pretty darn quick anyway. I remember looking at the clock when they were prepping me outside the operating theatre and it was 5.40pm, and Ashlee was born at 6.03!)from prepping me for theatre to sewing me back up.

I too had an emergency c-section due to failure to progress and baby unable to come out after 19 hours of labour. Seriously, it was fine, and like the others have said, the anaesthetist who was with me was awesome, chatting away and explaining every step of the way what she was doing, and what the doctors were doing. She held my hand while they took him away to weigh etc (I sent my partner with them - told him not to let the baby out of his sight, like, what did I think was going to happen!!!). I think if I have another baby then I'll be booking in for an elective c-section. Healing time is a bit longer, but it's so much easier!!

I had a elective C-section (breech) With my third and I was so upset not to mention absolutely terrified that I was going to be awake but it all turned out to be so unfounded. The anaethetist was the nicest person I have ever met and went out of his way to make me feel comfortable. I cried as they were putting the block in not because it hurt as i can't remember any pain but because I was so scared. Being able to see your baby as soon as they are born is wonderful, as opposed to having to wait until you are awake. I think it's the fear of the unknown more than anything but If the need arose again i wouldn't hesitate as I now know what to expect. the theatre staff were wonderful as well and let me know exactly what they were doing.

As you know I had an emergency c-section 2 on honestly by the time they told me I'd be having one I was so relieved!!

The anaesthetist was my best friend!! The surgeon was so loverly!! They made sure I knew what was happening the whole time and I felt really looked after.

As others have said you feel no pain only pressure...I like the quote of someone rummaging around in your tummy...it is a really odd sensation but not all uncomfortable and I didn't it unpleasant at all either.
B sat right by my head and we just talked about how we were going to see our little girl real soon and what we though she would look like.

B looked so cute in his scrubs I'm just sorry no one got a photo!! He felt like was off Scrubs though I thought it was more like Grey's Anantomy!

I also got the shakes real bad which was the least pleasant part of it but once I was out they gave me pethodine which calmed it right down.

I understand you being worried...I was!! But honestly there is nothing to be worried about at all!

Hahahaha yeah my surgeon started talking rugby and at one point he said 'my GOSH she's got a HUUUUUGE butt' as they were tugging her out hahahahaha!! So it was relatively relaxed lol.

At the beginning he said to me 'can you feel anything?' and I said 'yeah' and he goes 'what can you feel?' and I giggled and said 'oh just a bit of pressure' and the whole team of people who were in there just about fell over with laughter. I guess he'd already cut me open by that stage! The only thing I avoided was looking at the huge bright theatre light because it was reflective, and I could see the red from the blood. I'm so not good with blood!

They put a huge screen up over my chest so B would have had to stand up to see anything. And lucky the light wasn't reflective at all.