Scheduled Csection, How Can I Relax About This?

I'm amazed by how many people are saying not to worry about it. You DO NOT have to have another c-section if you do not want one. VBAC is completely safe (for most mothers and babies), you just need to find the right support people. Check out some of these websites and get in touch with them to see who you can find in your area that will be supportive of VBAC.
http://ican-online.org/
http://www.birthcenters.org/
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/
http://www.vbac.com/

Go to a Midwife and have a VBAC with them. Unlike OBs they allow women full reign, allow and encourage questions, allow you to birth in what position is comfortable for YOU rather what is convenient for them like OBs...

VBACs have a very high success rate, especially when done with a Midwife at a Birthing Center rather than with an OB at a hospital.

As a Nurse, I had to have a week's clinical at an OB hospital. I saw 4 cesareans and that made me realize I would never lay down and allow another one happen to my body unless all other options were exhausted. Watching the surgery made me cringe and feel ill.

I'm pregnant with #2 and am having a HOME VBAC birth with a Midwife assisting. The happiness, relief and hope I have that I'll be trying my damnedest to have a VBAC rather than another surgery - is uplifting in itself.

You don't have to have another c-section. You have the right to give birth the way you want to. I would never allow a doctor to tell me I could not do something. OB's really need to start to remember they are the hired help. You are paying their salary. You call the shots. If your doctor won't help and support you in your wishes then tell him/her they are fired. Find a new provider that will support you. Your best bet is to hire a midwife. Safer and healthier for you and the baby. Don't let a doctor dictate what you can and can't do with your body because of what some policy may say.

Also VBAC's are very safe. I have attended lots of VBAC's in and out of the hospital. I have never encountered a problem.

The great thing about a planned c section is you can make sure your hair and makeup are done and you'll look great in your pictures! LOL. A planned one is so relaxed, I remember joking around with my dr. while he was delivering my son (2nd planned c-section). With a c-section, the dr. can see what they are doing (and see the baby). With a vaginal, they can't see what's going on inside the birth canal. Many dr. prefer c-sections. They feel they have better control over what is going on (in the event something goes wrong). Spinal's are way better than epidurals (no feeling at all and they usually include morphine to help you through the first 24 hours so there's NO pain whatsoever). Good luck with your decision!

I had three c-sections and the first one was very traumatic. It was an emergency situation...not the ideal birth I had planned! My second two were both scheduled, but I went into labor before my c-section date. So, they both ended up being rather rushed, but not traumatic at all.

Overall, the 2nd c-sections were fine. I also had spinals (the epidural did not work on me either). I didn't feel a thing. In fact, I was laughing with my husband while they did the surgery. We talked about the baby's name and what we were going to do when we got home, just to keep our minds off the situation.

My advice would be to try not to think about the procedure. After all, there's nothing you can do but lay there. It's not like you can help! In fact, being tense may actually cause problems.

I'd suggest that you practice breathing exercises and try to focus on that beautiful baby. I'd also ask my husband to come up with some things to talk about to distract you. Make it his job to help you relax.

http://keystosimpleliving.com/kids.php

Know that you will leave the hospital with a beautiful, healthy baby-and anything you endure will have been worth it!

Oh how I feel for you! My epidural didn't work either and neither did my spinal - so I had to have general anesthesia for my unplanned c-section.

Try to remember that it will be scheduled and not an emergency situation. Be asured that you will have time to let the spinal kick in and stay put. It has about 4 hours of lasting power so there will be lots of time to be sure it sticks. Then, becuase it's planned, the surgery will be calm and easy and supportive (be sure to voice all concerns to the nurses that day - they will help you through).

I know it's hard to stay calm but do your best. You'll be fine. Do you have a therapist? If not, you should find a female who can offer support. Ask your OB for a referral. Do deep breathing exercises. And know that Xanax is your friend again if you need it once the baby is out!

Let's be honest... giving birth is anxiety-provoking and surgery is anxiety-provoking. Put it together and... wowza! Am I reading this correctly... you are not currently pregnant, but are thinking about having a third child and are already worried about delivery?

I would strongly suggest that you talk with your doctor (b/c you have time) about the differences b/w a planned and emergency procedure. Ask as many questions as you can think of and openly discuss with him your anxiety.

Make sure that you really want to have another child first and foremost. If you do, go for it. You have plenty of time to plan for the delivery, including counseling for the anxiety and/or meds, yoga, mediation... something to help you work through your worries and strain!

I would be anxious too. It is a major surgery. HOWEVER, this time its planned, so it will go much smoother, you won't be in the middle of labor and there will be no rushing. Doctors do this all the time, they will not proceed if your medication is not working correctly. You can trust them to do a good job and deliver the baby safely.

As far as managing your anxiety, keep talking about your feelings. Talk to friends and family that are supportive of you and will help you talk through your feelings. What are your root fears. Are they realistic? Discus how you'd handle it if it was true, and if its false, then its a LIE and you need to disregard it and tell yourself the truth about the fear. Have people give you a reality check, pick people who are good listeners, but are not afraid to tell you the truth (some people only agree with you and never challenge you to think differently - they really are no help at all). If you're not getting much help from friends/family, don't be afraid to go talk to a counselor who can give you great ways to manage your fears - w/o medication. Someone who does cognitive therapy would be great!

Best wishes! You're going to do great!

Oh Sweety,
As I am sure you already know its so hard to NOT feel some anxiety over child birth of any kind!! You sound almost jsut like me a few years ago. My son (my first born) had a 34cm head and was a c section, and my epdural didn't work too. I unterstand the trama that that can have on you. I had my daughter in Italy (we are a mill family), and the hosptal on base didnt do vback too.
We scheduled a c section, and the closer the more I worked my self up. A few things that helped me was I made it so very clear to my dr that the epi did NOT work the last time, and I think he kinda got sick of hearing it. Also I did thing I could "get lost in" I read lots of books, watched move and tv prograhms, improved my cooking. I also started doing a little meditation.
My c scetion with my daughter wasa a lot better than it was with my son. Every one was ready for it, and guess what....My doc head me about the Epi and gave me a spinal. Just keep talking to you doc, keep telling them your worries, and then when you are out just really do your best to try to not think about it and jsut relax. a relaxed mama, meens a relaxed baby!
Good luck and congrats on the new little one
Blessings!!

Whether or not you decide to become pregnant, I would suggest working on your anxiety/panic attacks because they do adversely effect your life, and as your children grow theirs as well.
There are several things that are very helpful in this area, some of which have been mentioned below (EFT and meditation for example), additionally, there is progressive muscle relaxation which alleviates tension, stress and the anxiety these can cause. You cannot "just" relax and not obsess, anxiety is a learned response, and it takes some time (how long differs for everyone) to relearn a new way to respond.
Yes, I do see clients for these issues and would be happy to discuss this with you.
Whatever you decide, I recommend educating yourself as much as possible before making a final determination. You are the ultimate judge of what is best for you! Remember each pregnancy is a new experience for you and is likely to be different.
I sincerely wish you the very best in life!

I had an emergency C-section and a scheduled C-section (I was unable to do VBAC because of the type of incision that I had and, like you, my multiple epidurals did not work. I don't know what your situation is but VBACs are not possible for everyone even if you do find a hospital that allows it). As the date got closer for the scheduled one, I became a bit nervous. I know this isn't for everyone but it helped me to watch a C-section being performed and to have all the facts about repeat C-sections (again not for everyone but I like facts) and it also helped when I told myself well, the baby is coming out one way or another (and for me a C-section was the better option). When I had the scheduled C-section everyone was so jovial so that put me at ease. Also, my anesthesiologist gave me a "little something to help you relax," as he put it. A scheduled C-section is so much calmer than an emergency one. I don't know how you can relax about it prior to becoming pregnant except perhaps meet with a counselor to discuss why you fear a repeat C-section and what you can do to ease your mind. Good luck.

well you could look at it this way... unlike before when it was NOT planned, that meant you were more at the mercy of the hospital staff and who was on call AND hopefully, if there weren't also a lot of pregnant moms giving birth that night which might have meant, you weren't high on the priority list.. not to mention, when a c section is not planned, more things in my opinion can go wrong... I had an unplanned c-section and yes, it was traumatic, this after 22 hours of labor.......... however, now that yours is planned. the good part.. you know there will be ample staff on hand, the doctor knows specifically when you will be giving birth and therefore, should be around (mine doc was not) and... again, I think since it's planned, the hospital/staff will be better prepared in the event that something takes a negative turn..
as for the anxiety.. possible for you to take an EFT class ?? I know there are probably some people on here that might even teach it and can at least give you pointers.. I think meditation of some sort is also helpful.. I would begin classes asap.. this way, you can hopefully feel a little more calm around this situation. However, I suspect since you suffer from panic attacks, even if this was going to be a vbac, you'd still be anxious. maybe taking the EFT classes would be good for you in general?

I wish you the best

Also keep in mind that planned C-sections are MUCH different from emergency sections where the baby's life may be in danger.

They're routine at this point.
And I agree with the other poster - ask them to knock you out completely if you're afraid that the spinal won't do it.

And if you want to try it, since you're just planning...you an always find a doctor and hospital that supports VBACS. Medicine has come a long way since your last child, and VBACS are becomming more accepted these days.

I don't know a lot about v-bacs or emergency c-sections but I had a planned c-section with my son who was breech. The only glitch was that I went into labour about 6 hours before the scheduled procedure so I had intense labour pains and they really couldn't give me anything until I went in for surgery. But, the surgery was great!! Once they gave me the spinal I felt wonderful! I could relax and enjoy myself while they pulled the baby out. The recovery was very hard for me but that varies from woman to woman and you know all about that. But the actual procedure was fun!

Delivering under any circumstances causes mommy madness. All the gals I know that have had scheduled C's loved it. You actually get to make a plan and psyche yourself into it. You arent even prego yet, lol... quit worrying!!

wow~ lots of controversy, apparently not everyone completely read your post. It's difficult when you live in a more remote area to VBAC. And they need to quit being so judgemental :)
Yes, in some situations you could VBAC, but in your living situation you can't. Obviously your doctor isn't trying to give you a hard time, just making sure that you understand your options. He didn't say you couldn't, but that you couldn't if you want to go to your local hospital.
Midwives should never deliver a VBAC patient since there is a risk of uterine rupture, and they can't perform surgery.
Good for you for making sure that you are prepared completely before you enter into something that will cause you more anxiety.
Having said that ~ you can take some anti-anxiety medications during pregnancy, especially towards the end when your anxiety may be higher.
Deffintely continue your therapy. Perhaps hypnosis would help with the anxiety?
A spinal is normally used for scheduled c-sections. It is much more effective than an epidural. You already know how the recovery will be, morphine or demerol for the 1st day or so, then oral medications.
My step-daughter has an an unscheduled & a scheduled c-section. It was nice to know ahead of time exactly what day she would deliver. Most patients I take care of are happy and pain-free when they come in to the hospital on the morning of the surgery. It won't be a traumatic event this time, things will move slower and you won't have a ton of things thrown at you at once, like you do with an emergency c-section.
No matter what way babies come into this world, a healthy mom and a healthy baby is the main goal :)
Good Luck! You will do just great!
D., OB nurse

Ask them to put you out. I have scoliosis issues and outright refused an epidural and/or spinal. They told me I would have been fine w/ the location they use, but I refused it.