C-Section Relaxation: Preparing For Surgery
Moms that deliver babies vaginally are presented with loads of advice for preparation.
They are various classes, pain relief techniques, various techniques such as breathing, hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and visualization techniques for the labor and for the birth.
But, what about women that need to have emergency or planned c-sections instead? They need TLC and relaxation help as well!
The C-Section surgery is a big deal because you’re almost guaranteed to be wide awake during the procedure, and while that can be exciting, it can be very stressful at the same time.
Here are some tips to help you whether you’re having a planned Cesarean or in case you find yourself in an emergency surgery scenario.
Take The Classes
Most expectant mothers take pre-natal classes to prepare for birth. But if you know you will be having a c-section I advice taking the classes anyway. They will help you prepare for a c-section as well.
There are some great techniques taught here that can help you regardless of whether you’re in active labor or not. Depending on where you live there may even be classes that are geared specifically to having a C-Section.
Music Relaxes!
Reducing C-Section Stress and anxiety is important and music is great stress release.
There are also some great relaxation sounds that you can play on an MP3 player or aloud during preparation for the surgery. Music and other sounds can be very soothing in an otherwise stressful environment.
Slow and deep breathing can be helpful as well in terms of keeping your heart rate and blood pressure at a healthy pace which will help with the baby’s vital signs as well.
The relaxation CD or MP3 recordings can also be of benefit to you as can relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and visualization.
Knowledge is Power!
One of the most important aspects of dealing with a new situation is being prepared with knowledge of what is going on. If you at least prepare yourself with knowledge about the surgery and what to expect, this can help significantly.
It can be frightening to think about being cut open and about not knowing what is going on behind the curtain that is up below your waist. Many women are afraid they’ll feel the pain of the incision and losing sensation in your legs after a spinal block can induce an anxiety attack. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you go for your hospital registration and research information about preparation and procedures during the surgery.
When a c-section is planned the hospital staff will often talk to you through the procedure because it will be at a more relaxed pace than during an emergency when every moment counts.
You Need Support!
Having your spouse or birthing partner in the room during your c-section can be very soothing. The procedure itself doesn’t typically take very long but it can feel longer when you’re not sure what is going on. A supportive birth partner can make a big difference in how stressful or relaxing the experience is for you.
C-Section Relaxation can be achieved by Planning Ahead
When you’re prepared for a planned c-section or the potential for an emergency one, you’ll be less stressed. Because recovery time is longer than with a vaginal birth you might prepare by having help around the house and preparing for living as much on one floor of your home as possible.
For the first few weeks you cannot pick up anything heavier than your baby and planning around this possibility will make things easier in those first few weeks after the baby and you are home and getting acquainted with one another.
Relaxation techniques, knowledge, support and a bit of planning can go a long way in helping your baby’s birth experience be as stress-free as possible.
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I’ve had two c-sections. One was emergency after 22 hours of labour so I was too exhausted to be any more stressed than I already was but the second one was planned and I found the process leading up to it very unsettling and did have a panic attack during surgery prep. They brought my husband into the room and he basically talked me down because my heart rate was over 180.
This is a very helpful post and should I take the plunge a third time I’ll definitely be looking for ways to get relaxed ahead of time!
Thanks
Hey Dana,
Wow, sorry to hear you experienced a panic attack, but you’re positive proof that support of a spouse or parter does help
Thanks for this post.
I am about to have a third. The first two times I was put under. The epidural didn’t work with my first, and the second I had a major anxiety attack. I have been during this pregnancy contemplating my options.
I know what goes on in a section, but I’m terrified beyond belief, lying away, knowing what they are doing to me. Even if I have a spinal. And because of the dang epidural not working .. I’m terrified the spinal won’t work, but my son suffered COPD after my second section. They tell me it wasn’t anything to do with the general anesthetic, but I still worry it was. I don’t want it to happen again.
I’m torn, and have no one really to talk to.
Hi Amy,
I so empathize with your fears, particularly since you’ve had so many troubles in the past.
But here’s some comforting news. The epidural anesthesia can be slower to take affect, and it can happen where the sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated, however a spinal is more reliable as to completely blocking the sensation and works much better for women who had some sensation with the epidural. I would advise you not to worry because a spinal should work much better.
I know this will be hard for you but try your best to stay as calm and relaxed as you can. I know that is hard but it will make such a difference in your overall outcome. Please stop back by after your baby is born I would love to hear how things went for you. I’ll keep you in my prayers
I had one emergency 9after 2 hours of labor) and 2 planned with Spinals. This spinal takes almost immediately. After the 1st emergency one, I did not remember the first 2 days of my baby’s life and was in a fog. I loved being awake for the other 2 AND my husband was able to share in the experience. Whenever I am pregnant (4th on the way) I humm a song/lullbye to the baby. When I am stressed or undergoing procedures, I find it calms me because I remember WHY I am there. Many have said they wished patients would ‘Self-soothe” This is also a tune the baby recognizzes when born. In fact, the same tune is used for my children when they get shots or are at the dentist. it gives you more control over your body & is a great tool for the kids, too.
Best of luck
Mom squared!
Hey Maggie (love Mom squared) ,
Very good advice! Finding a soothing tune CAN be very calming, especially for children. I wish more people would try it.
Also, best of luck with your 4th! Many blessings to you both
Hi Amy!
I completely understand how you feel….my daughter was a c-section (5 weeks early!) in September and after trying to get an epidural in for 45 minutes, I had general anesthesia. Now I am pregnant again, due in October (my kids will only be 13 months apart) and I requested to have general again since my OB recommended another C-section . Now they are trying to talk me into at least considering giving them 1 shot to get the epidural in. I know I will be more stressed out worrying about that (and knowing what they’re doing to me while I’m awake) than just being put under, but I do worry about the increased risks to the baby.
Hope all went/goes well for you!
Hi everyone! I had a c-section after 16 hours of labor. My daughter was face up and not crowning after trying to push for 6 hours. The operation went very smoothly and I was up and about a few days later. My second is due in about 2 months and I will have another c-section. Very excited to have it planned this time instead of trying to force the labor along. I will definately be bringing some soothing music and meditation cd’s along just to help me relax. Not because I’m worried about the surgery but because I will be so excited to meet my son!
Hi all, I am actually having a panic attack just reading this, I am due for a sched c-section tomorrow and I am sick with worry, SICK, I like that I am reading the positives, yet my heart is racing, it’s thundering outside and I actually think it’s a sign that something bad is going to happen to me. I have 3 children, a section, a natural, then another section, thats why they won’t let me go natural, but the idle mind is the devils workshop, I am going to freak myself out, I am doing it now, just by reading, I’ve been crying the past few days, my poor 12 yr old son now is worried that I am gonna die, my 4 yr old says don’t cry mommy, I feel terrible or that, I can’t shake this fear, please help thanks
Hey Laura, Please don’t feel worried. Actually I’m writing this on the day you’re having your c-section. My thoughts and prayers have been with you so I’m looking forward to hearing that you are fine. If you get this when you are recovering at home please let us know how you are doing *Hugs*
I am scared to death going to have 3rd c-section on June 30th. My first was after 28 hours of labor. I was so exhausted and glad not to be in contraction pain anymore that It wasn’t a bad experience. My second I kinda freaked out during prep and then husband came in and surgery got underway I was ok my son was born at 37 weeks had lung issues we were not prepared for and had to be airlifted the next day to a childrens hospital in a bigger town and was put on a ventilator for 4 weeks we thought that he wasn’t going to make it. But he did and is 18 months old now and doing fine. They still could never figure out what was wrong with him.. I started having panic attacks for really no reason about a month ago and have been having episodes ever since had to be out on medication. The meds help some but I’m scare to death now that I will have one during this c section.
April, Your biggest challenge will be to relax and that can be so difficult when you are scared *hugs*. I so understand you being scared but try to understand that every birth is different, just because you last child had lung problems doesn’t mean it will be a problem this time. You may want to ask your doctor about using steroids to help with lung development. This isn’t usually done unless a baby will be born before 37 weeks but since your last baby had lung problems you might want to check with your doctor just to see what he thinks or if he has any input on that.
Meanwhile try to relax and focus as much as you can on the positive. I know it’s hard but it will help.
My first baby was born 22 months ago witha c-section after 17 hours labor… He was too big for me… Well, I wasn’t scared at all… When they offered me a c-section I instantly said yes… But, it was after 17 hours of labor and pain…I was so tired that I just wanted the baby out one way or another. I recovered fast. Now, that I am having my second one with a schedulled section for tomorrow I’m very scared! Maybe it’s because I know I’ll have a surgery and because I know the exact time, my mind simply can’t stop thinking about it… My husband tries to calm me down by reminding me taht going into a schedulled surgery is a lot better than going through 17 hours labor that still ends with a surgery… he is right, but I still can’t relax… I’m a strong person and I hope everything will be fine… I hope I recover as quick as the first time…I hope the baby is healthy… I need to get some sleep…but I can’t! At least I know I’m not the only one… As I can see from the comments most of the ladies felt the same way…
Having scheduled surgery is never easy, the anticipation is hard, to say the least. I remember feeling the same way with my second c-section, it’s perfectly normal, but I’m thinking that you’ll be fine. You did well with the first, so there’s no reason to believe otherwise this time. BTW, recovery is easier the second time. Just remember to take time for yourself. Many blessings to your and your new baby. Check back with us on how it went
Hey I had a c section w/ my 1st child. Because he broke my water and still didn’t want to come down I also only dialated 3 cm I was 32 weeks..I panic going in but having my son grandmothertheirto talk me through it was relaxing and I was calm…so I think it is best to relax to have the best outcome my son was born and the only problem he had was eating..so he stay in the hospital for a few weeks but all went well including my recovery…I think I’m more scared and nervous now thinking about going through the same thing again I’m now 30 weeks pregnant w/ my second child.think a a scheduledc section will be my best option vs going through labor and ending w/ a ceasearn..
Hi Kyma, This is a tough question because going into labor does present benefits for your baby. Here’s a post on infant respiratory distress syndrome that you might want to take a look at.
For women who have had a c-section, doctors don’t want you to go into labor for fear of your previous sutchers rupturing, however I think delivering at 32 weeks is a little too early, I’d prefer waiting until 38 weeks. How long ago was your last c-section? If it was a good year or more you could try for a VBAC but that’s not usually a popular decision with doctors. Judging from the hard time you had with your first I’d say you might want to go with a scheduled C-Section but try to go at 38 weeks. If you end up going into labor sooner your doctor could schedule an emergency c-section. That’s actually what happened with my second c-section and I was fine.
im 37yrs old and im having a 4th c-section, i am terrified my last c-section was 7yrs ago. im scheduled for may 26. my 1st was an emergency fullterm and only dilated 4cm an 12hrs of labor pains. 2nd was 8yrs later, scheduled cs, 3rd was a yr a half, now this one is 7yrs later, still mortifies me because i suffer from panic attacks and my ob prescribes lexapro 10mg for them. good luck to all you ladies with our deliveries, just wanted to share my story… lord give me strengh…
Hey Irene, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are an inspiration.
Yes, the Lord and your faith will be your strength and will protect you. **hugs** and best wishes.