I am really afraid....

[vonnie100]

I am booked in for this monday to have a c-section but I have caught a horrible cold and it has all gone into the chest and now I have one of those coughs that make you gag.
I am really frightened of how i will go lying down during the op. if i need to cough or am chocking. And what about after the baby is born I am afraid of the pain. I had a c-section with my last child and remember the pain of just moving let alone coghing.
What would others do, has anyone had this problem before,
The midwife thinks that i will be okay and part of me is hoping that is right becuase I am so looking forward to getting the baby out and dont want to be told that we have to wait untill I am better but the other part of me is really frightened of what could happen.
Advice would be great....

vonnie100:crying:

[pegasus]

Hi vonnie

sorry to hear you're sick. With a c/section, coughing will hurt, but unlikely you'll have the problem during the birth. Ok - so I'm not a doctor, but when you're mind is elsewhere, I think the coughing stops.

Also - codeine is the strongest cough suppressant there is, so if you're on panedeine forte after the birth (ask for it if you're not) then you won't get the urge to cough.

When I was really sick in the end stages of my pregnancy - I went against what I thought I should do and took antibiotics as I decided I needed to be in top health to heal after my c/section.

Good luck to you! (And your bubba)

[becca74]

I agree with Emmylou....do you have a medical indication which dictates that you must have your c/sec on that date? If not, ask for the date to be changed......

Why do you need a c/sec?

[fai firinne]

Hi Vonnie100, I feel for you! Is there any reason why you have to have a c/s? Sometimes women get told "once a cesarian always a cesarian" but that is so not true, many times women who have a struggle with the first baby go on to have a much more straight-forward birth the next time. If you want to try for a normal birth, it will be way easier to cough and hack your way through normal contractions, and at this late stage you CAN still change your mind if you want - unless there is a genuine, serious medical condition necessitating a repeat c/s. If you do decide to go the non-surgical route, I would suggest you hire a doula/birth attendant (or find a student doula to support you for free) to support you with loads of TLC right through the birth. If ever a mother deserved/needed the extra comfort and attention of a doula, it's a mum with a bad cold! Doulas will of course support c/s births, too. Whatever you decide, i really hope that it all goes really well for you and that your recovery will be speedy. God bless!