c-section and panic attacks!

Hi All,

I'm having a baby tomorrow!!!! OMG. It's just hit me. I've had two c-sections before. The first was actually the best because it was an emergency, and I was ready and just wanted it over with...I found with the second that I freaked out in anticipation, and my anxiety was much worse. This pregnancy I have been a total basket case with panic attacks. I've gone off the medications they prescribed so that hopefully the baby won't have to contend with any withdrawals or side effects. Now I am freaking out about freaking out iykwim. I am really worried about having a major panic attack on the operating table. Has anyone experienced this before? What can they do for you? I really don't want a general...

First of all, congratulations on the birth of your bub for tomorrow! How exciting that you will be meeting your little one very soon.

I have no personal experinece re: panick attacks, but I can say that in my opinion, Yes definately avoid having a general if you can. It's not nice.
Is it the actually surgery that is making you feel nervous? If so, just remember to breath and maybe take the time to write down some positive affirmations today that you can say to yourself tomorrow. And it probably wouldn't hurt to mention your anxiety to the anaesthetist. They may be able to give you a little something to help calm your nerves during the surgery.

All the best for tomorrow!

Hey Jules

I was positively beside myself when I had Jasmine (as you know!). I mean I set off their alarms when they hooked me up ready to have the c/s. All I remember is Corey coming in and all of them scrambling around me then they gave me something to calm me. It is perfectly natural to be nervous, like beside yourself nervous. We both know what the surgery involves, but it doesn't make it any less scary.

I really wish I could be there with you!! Let yourself go through the motions of being nervous and anxious. If it helps, write things down. Do you need to feel more prepared(as in writing letters to loved ones)? Do you need to just vent and scream? And if you need to scream, cry and vent, then call me!! I am here if you need me. I was a complete basket case when I had Jasmine.

Take care Jules, and if you need to talk I'm here.....otherwise I'll see you on Thursday!xo

Ask to speak to the anaesthetist tomorrow before they prep you for the c.section. They may have something they can give you help you feel calm throughout, sometimes just knowing s/he is there for you, looking to keep you safe and calm can help. I was really scared before my CS, for a couple of reasons, and I found talking to my lovely anaesthetists beforehand was great. I had their assurance that if I started to feel weird at any point all I need do is tell them and they would be right onto it straight away.

Good luck, remember you will come through this, it will be behind you and you will be holding your precious bub in your arms. :hug:

Well for starters woohoo you're having a baby tomorrow!!!!!

Oh yes I have been there. Now, tonight,...wish i had seen this before.
Are you going private or public? Would it be possible to ring the midwives and get the on call Ob to prescribe you something tonight so that you can at least relax a bit to be able to bring your normal coping mechanisms back into play? Or even someone to talk to tonight to relax you a bit?
Spend some time on your own tonight remembering all the positive things about tomorrow, meditate or do some yoga if that's your thing. Maybe go through bubs things or your bag.
You've done this before but remind your Ob you are extremely anxious and you want the most positive experience for the birth of your baby. Ask him to commentate so you know what's coming next.
Definitely brief the anaesthetist...he can be your best friend.

All my positive thoughts for tomorrow Juliette. Can't wait to hear your BA.

woohoo you are having a baby tomorrow!

And yes they can give you something to calm you down while having the c-section. I have had anxiety/panic attacks all my life, some of them really really bad and been hospitalised for them. But tell the dr's tomorrow that you are really anxious and if they can take that into consideration they should be able to help out. Also in my first c-section I was totally freaking out so the anethetist used pressure points at the top of my jaw just in front of my ears and it really worked. Stopped me hyperventilating and shaking and I calmed down immediately. My second c-section it was written up in my files about my panics and they had a drug all ready to go if I flipped out. I have no idea what it was but I think knowing it was there was enough to stop me panicing!

HTH and have a great birth day tomorrow :D

Thanks for your replies and reassurance everyone!! I have some anti-anxiety meds here, have spoken to the midwives and have the go ahead from my Dr to take them if needed. i really don't want to take it, but it may come to that... hopefully just knowing it's there will help enough! The doctor performing the surgery is the same one who did the other two, so I have a sense of reassurance about that...and being private, I have requested the same midwife as last time - she made me feel calm just walking into the room last time...and the anaesthetist is a good friend of mine (who, incidently has just had a bub herself in feb). One of the great things about a small country hospital I guess. Still...I have been flipping out all evening. Hopefully it will be out of my system by morning. I should be excited, but I'm not...it's a bit late to change my mind about having another baby now!!!

Juliette, if it helps out, I had DD2 while I was still on my anti-d's and because I bf straight after birth, she didn't have any withdrawl symptoms at all.

Glad you have people with you who help you keep calm, it makes such a difference. And no, can't avoid having the baby now!

Thinking positive, calm and happy thoughts for you :hug:

:yeahthat:
lol about the turning back....I so remember that :hug:
Will be thinking of you.