https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:56:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845823 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:08:22 +0000 Sams Mom 2845823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely second EMDR for any kind of PTSD. My husband has used it twice now, once for a severe car accident and once after his Officer involved shooting. It has helped tremendously both times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845815 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 09:52:21 +0000 Happygal 2845815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First, I'm so sorry to hear about that horrifying experience. I strongly suggest looking into EMDR psychotherapy if it's available to you. I have learned it is so helpful for healing trauma.</p> <p>I have had two planned csections that were are peaceful as major surgery can be. The team met with me the morning of the csection, so it was nice to know their names and faces. Everyone was chit-chatting with each other, and that's a little weird to feel so passive as your baby is about to enter the world. But they handed both our girls to me pretty quickly while I was getting stitched up, and they stayed with me while I was monitored in recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845796 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:45:11 +0000 Mrsbells 2845796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thepaperbutterfly: sorry to hear your experience, it sounds traumatizing. I have had 2 csections and while there are many unpleasant sensations and feelings immediately after getting the spinal such as feeling very hot, dry mouth, nausea, dizzy... that usually passes in a feq minutes and I have never felt any pain during the procedure. For most people without your condition the pain comes hours after the surgery as the meds wear off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845636 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 03:32:55 +0000 lilyofthewest 2845636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a chapter in one of my obstetrics texts about how to do a c-section with *just* local anesthesia (eek!) in an urgent situation where spinal/epidural/general anesthesia isn't available. I wonder if that technique could be combined with spinal/epidural anesthesia to give you a better experience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845632 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 01:48:30 +0000 thepaperbutterfly 2845632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies so much for your helpful advice :) I already feel a bit better after talking about it. After my daughter was born it was the last thing I wanted to talk about, so I just kind of shoved my feelings aside until I had that nightmare. </p> <p>@Erinbaderin: Yeah, I kind of repressed everything because it really happens so fast, and then there is so much going on afterwards that you can't really focus on it, which is a good thing. I've had root canals, tooth extraction, and lots of cavities drilled with no conscious sedation and just anesthetic. It takes them like 3 to 4 shots to get me numb, but I just feel pressure and no pain. It's not pleasant, but it's not horrible either. As the C-section was going on I felt lots of pressure, but the pain became unbearable. That's when I started grunting and screaming, and they kept giving me more medicine, but it wasn't enough. That's when they upped the epidural meds, and it took some of the edge off. I never thought about seeing a therapist for it, but that might be a good idea if the anxiety gets worse. I'm glad your C-sections were relatively uneventful! Hopefully talking to the anesthesiologists beforehand will make this next C-section a less horrible experience. </p> <p>@LBee: Thanks so much for the link! I was starting to read through the thread. It helps a lot :) </p> <p>@JHD: In a way the C-section went worse than I expected XD I mean, I kind of knew the spinal wasn't going to work so well (which is why I had made the initial request for conscious sedation after they got my baby out), but it's hard to prepare yourself for that. Yeah, I'm going to push for conscious sedation after they get the baby out because after the way it went last time, I'm pretty sure the spinal anesthetic isn't going to work. I guess that request seems silly to them, but they aren't the ones laid up on the table being cut into while only partially numb &gt;_&gt; Also, music was allowed, so I'm going to have a playlist ready so I can partially transcend the experience. </p> <p>@MrsGoose: I'm sorry the spinal didn't work for your friend D: It's truly a horrible experience because there isn't much that can be done, and they can't really stop what they are doing. I feel a bit guilty to admit that I was too consumed with the pain to worry about meeting my baby :/ Your friend sounds like a really strong mama! :) I probably should look into a few therapy sessions prior to this next C-section. I've had therapy for other issues in my life and it was very beneficial. </p> <p>@Sam's Mom: I've known other ladies with EDS who had to have general anesthesia because their spinal anesthetic didn't work at all on previous C-sections. I can talk to the anesthesiologist about this option. I haven't looked into it much, but from the bit that I've read there is a potential risk to the baby, so it's not first line treatment. Conscious sedation would also be really risky for the baby, but once the baby is out it's a fairly safe procedure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845627 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:53:13 +0000 Sams Mom 2845627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry your first c-section was a terrible experience. I have a friend that has bad scoliosis and was concerned that if she needed a c section she would need general instead of a spinal. If that is what will make you comfortable and not suffer anymore trauma there is nothing wrong with it.</p> <p>I had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks.</p> <p>I showed up at 4:00 AM, checked in, changed into a gown, peed in a cup, got weighed, and blood work done &amp; put on the monitor. Waited around, doctor came in to go over the procedure with me, answer any questions, nurse places my IV.</p> <p>They wheeled me back at 6:45 ish, had the anesthesiologist come in and answer any questions, sat me up, I leaned on a nurse while they placed my spinal, and then they helped me lay back down and swing my feet up onto the table. </p> <p>Doctor comes in, he starts with the tests to make sure the anesthetic was working. He starts the c-section and they bring my husband in. I could feel them pulling and poking around, and when they pulled my son out I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest (which they had warned me about). I felt sick at one point and told the nurse anesthetist and she gave me a shot of something in my IV and I felt better very quickly. </p> <p>My son was born at 8:16 (so about 45 minutes after scheduled surgery time). They cleaned up, weighed, measured, and APGAR tested him, then brought him over to me to hold for a second while my doctor was closing me up.</p> <p>I did shake a little bit, but it wasn't until I was in recovery.</p> <p>They did find that I metabolize whatever they use in the spinal quickly because I was able to help transfer myself from one bed to the next afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845625 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:37:36 +0000 LadyDi 2845625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds so traumatic, I’m so sorry. My first was unplanned. I shook terribly but don’t remember much about the procedure. My second was planned. No shakes, just some nausea that went away when they gave me zofran. I couldn’t feel much, not even the pressure from the incision. Just some tugging. The second time, right when they pulled him out, I couldn’t breathe for a couple second. DH said my face got really red and it was scary but I think it was just the pressure from pulling the baby out. I thought c section recovery was much worse than the actual procedure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845612 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 19:18:02 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2845612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I echo the counselling therapy suggestion for dealing with the traumatic birth. </p> <p>My first was an unplanned c-section and besides the fact that it hit me in the face like it came out of nowhere and was unexpected, it was a totally fine even positive experience. I got a spinal and was relieved to be done pushing and having contractions and then they put my catheter in and disinfected my belly and started the procedure and the baby was out in 10 minutes. I felt some pulling and tugging and that’s about it. After my baby was out and they were stitching me up I got shakes from being very cold and I threw up a few times. Those were the only negative parts of the surgery. Everyone was calm and it felt quick and easy. I would imagine a repeat section would be the same for me. I had a vbac, but if I couldn’t have had one I would have been lucky enough to go into another csection without worrying. Although I know things can go differently every time. </p> <p>I’m sorry you had such a horrendous experience and I hope this time is much much better. My friend had an unplanned c section the first time and the spinal didn’t work and she was in immense pain, but didn’t say anything out of fear of being knocked out and missing meeting her baby. She went to therapy after and leading up to her repeat section which she said was way different and amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845603 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 16:57:03 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2845603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had a natural birth (epidural pump was broken or it somehow otherwise failed!) and while it is super painful (imo..) it is NOT like that. I don't have any c sec advice because I haven't had one... but sorry, that sounds terrible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845601 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 15:54:31 +0000 jhd 2845601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thepaperbutterfly: I’m so sorry you had such a terrible experience at your first delivery and I sincerely hope things go much more smoothly this time. Don’t hesitate to push for what you need. I just had my second LO via csection this spring. The thread linked above really helped me. I was genuinely scared, but it went better than I expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845600 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 15:31:05 +0000 Grace 2845600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my gosh, that’s awful. I can’t imagine. For me, they had given me the spinal and the nurses were prepping. I could feel them swabbing and cleaning and doing what they do, so I told the anesthesiologist that I could feel them. He took his pen (or something pointy) and poked me in the leg. Asked me if I could feel it. I said yes. He asked if it hurt. I said no. Then he poked me in the arm and it totally hurt. He said that was what he just did. He explained that the spinal does not prevent you from feeling movement and pressure. It stops the pain. So I paid a lot of attention during the surgery. When they cut into me, it felt like someone was drawing on my belly (rather than cutting). When they moved stuff around and pulled the baby out, I felt pressure. And I felt hugely lighter, the minute they pulled her out. There should be NO pain. I don’t blame you for feeling terrfied. Shaking is normal, I’ve heard nausea is normal (although, I didn’t have that), pain is not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845575 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 08:42:27 +0000 LBee 2845575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Im so sorry you had such a terrible experience. </p> <p>This is the best post on c-sections. Most users have posted about their experience in depth. I referenced it tons pre my c-section! </p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-cesarean-section" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-cesarean-section</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845565 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 07:21:30 +0000 erinbaderin 2845565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds absolutely terrifying. Have you spoken with a counsellor to try to work through some of the trauma? Because wow, I cannot even imagine. </p> <p>So I’ve had two planned c-sections. I imagine you’re familiar with all the prep stuff. Once I went into the room I sat in the table and leaned into my midwife, who supported me as they did the spinal thing, and then I had to swing my legs up onto the table quickly before they got totally numb, and lie down. After that my husband came in and to be honest, I don’t really have much of a sense of what was going on at the other end. I could feel pressure and a kind of tugging sensation, which I at one point realized was them rummaging around inside my body, but I could only feel the physical movements and it kind of felt disassociated from my body. Then they pulled the baby out, held them up for me to see, took them and did the weighing/measuring (some more body-rummaging/tugging in here), and put them on my chest. I don’t really know how the sewing up part went, other than with my second, towards the end the trainee midwife fainted and everybody rushed to her and I was a little bit like “um, hello, my insides are still exposed!” </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-c-section-experience#post-2845550 Sat, 15 Sep 2018 00:40:28 +0000 thepaperbutterfly 2845550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm almost 28 weeks pregnant with my second child, and will be delivering via C-section again. I delivered my first daughter via C-section, and it was a nightmarish experience. I had repressed the psychological trauma, but I had a nightmare about it last night that my next birth would be a repeat of the last incident. Natural labor is supposedly very painful, so maybe I don't have the right to complain, but I'm starting to get scared :(</p> <p>A bit of backstory. . . I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type III, and numbing anesthetic doesn't work so well for many of us. I've known this from many previous dental procedures and discussions about C-sections on EDS support groups. Knowing this, I had talked to my doctor about conscious sedation AFTER they got the baby out because I didn't want to risk harming my baby. I could have pushed for general anesthetic, but that can potentially harm the baby, so that was something I didn't want to do. I had a feeling the spinal anesthetic wouldn't work properly. Unfortunately, I was right. . . </p> <p>The nurse and the anesthesiologist talked me out of conscious sedation right before the C-section, and said most women want to bond with their babies and be present in the moment. I felt like a horrible person for making such a request, so I just settled for the spinal anesthetic and epidural. If possible I wanted to be mentally there for the birth of my daughter but I was scared the spinal anesthetic wouldn't work.</p> <p>As they were cutting into me it was clear I wasn't numb enough so they kept bolusing me with more spinal anesthetic to the point that my whole body was shaking because it was dropping my core body temp. At that point it felt like I was being disemboweled. It's hard to describe how painful and terrifying it is to be paralyzed from the waist down and feel the pain of someone pulling out your organs and putting them back. </p> <p>Unfortunately, they can only give you so much spinal anesthetic before your blood pressure plummets, so they couldn't give me anymore. At least that is sort of what was being communicated to me as I'm frantically flailing my arms and screaming. So they bolused me with more fentanyl and some benzo (maybe midazolam?) through my epidural and that made it a bit easier to endure, but still incredibly painful. My husband ended up blasting my favorite music into my ear at my request so I could zone out a bit (it's my go to when chronic pain is unbearable), but it was still really awful. </p> <p>They asked me if I wanted to hold my daughter after they cleaned her up, and I couldn't because I was flailing my arms and screaming. After it was all over I was kind of in a state of shock.. Ironically, I think the traumatic incident made it a bit more difficult to bond with my daughter. Recovery was otherwise uneventful except for the fact that they had a hard time controlling my blood pressure (due to pre-eclampsia) and had me on a magnesium drip. </p> <p>Anyway, my doctor is having me meet with the anesthesiology team for a consult before my next C-section. I guess I'm curious as to what a normal C-section experience is supposed to be like. I've read a few experiences but most don't go into the actual detail of getting cut into and put back together. The epidural was fine and surprisingly hurt much less than many of the hip injections I've had. Recovery was easy compared to my multiple hip surgeries. In fact the nurses commented on how mobile I was right after the procedure XD Mentally I'm okay with every other aspect of a C-section besides the actual procedure. I'm just feeling terrified :( </p>