How did you stay calm before your cs?

**lilypily** · 06-05-2011 10:11

I'm booked in for my elective cs in about a week. I had the pre consult with the anethasist (sp) yesterday and it all hit home that I'm about to have a baby and go through the procedure. I have wanted this for so long and now it's here I'm having trouble focusing on the good and control my anxiety.

Any tips on staying calm the night before and when you arrived at the hospital.

Thanks heaps

**4fullstop** · 06-05-2011 11:15

I guess just keep remembering billions of women have given birth before - in much more primitive situations than you're going to!

Sorry, not much help here. I was nervous every time before mine - I had 4 c/s. I got uncontrollable shakes before getting my spinal every time, even though after the first I knew that it wouldn't hurt, and that everything would be ok. I barely slept the night before each one - a mix of excitement & nerves destroying what should have been my one last good night's sleep for a while!

Just remember that all the nerves and anxiety will pass, and at the end of it all you will be holding your baby - everything else will be forgotten. What you're feeling is pretty natural I think, giving birth & becoming a parent is big stuff!! At the hospital you'll find the midwives and everyone else are fantastic at dealing with anxious mothers to be, they'll get you through it all in an amazing positive way.

Good luck!

**Kitty10** · 06-05-2011 11:34

Hi Lily!

Congratulations! I am getting excited just thinking about it! But understand your anxiety - I was the same leading up to my DD's arrival. Although I was booked in for a c-section, she came a week early, so I never actually had that last night of knowing what was to come - I just woke up in the middle of the night with my waters broken!

I think there is so much going on at hospital that you won't be that anxious, a bit nervous and excited, but it all should go fairly quickly and at least you don't have to dread the hard work in pushing bub out

As for the night before, I don't really have many good tips, but to enjoy your last night child-free - dinner at a restaurant perhaps? Something lovely that you will remember into the future.

And for what it is worth, the day my DD was born is hands-down the best day off my life, even with the c-section. I don't remember anything about the pain, just her beautiful little face the first time I saw it. Such a miracle. I have a pic on my wall where I am still in theatre with new bub that makes me smile and get teary cause it is such a happy moment. okay i am raving on now....

the point is I totally understand your anxiety but it will be wonderful!~ Can't wait to hear how you went!

**lilypily** · 06-05-2011 11:31

Thanks so much for the support. Your right I'm sure everybody is in the same boat going in.

**overitand36** · 06-05-2011 13:40

Originally Posted by lilypily

Your right I'm sure everybody is in the same boat going in.

Not everyone I love electives would do it again if I was to have anymore children

I think anxiety comes from the unknown, make sure you know exactly what is going to happen at birth (rather than procedure, a procedure is having something horrid happening in my opinion)
having an ectopic pregnancy now that was a procedure

as far as remembering pain etc I would say what pain, when you get a great aesthetics you should feel no discomfort at all even when the spinal is going in, I still think to this day mine was brilliant

like others have said enjoy the days leading up and night before eat what you like have a party that you don't have all the pain and discomfort of a so call "natural" birth

keep on top of any pain you may have afterwards and you will be asking yourself what was I worried about when you are up and walking around the next day

**zenifa** · 06-05-2011 13:47

My way of staying calm was to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, positive visualisation and hypnotherapy to help be stay calm, relaxed, focused on the positive, ie I was about to meet my baby and it all turned out to be the best days of my life (I've had two elective c/s). Good luck

**goldenhoney** · 31-07-2011 09:22

Get some sleep - I made myself go to sleep saying "this is your last full night's sleep -enjoy!"

On the morning we played wii mario. It was so fun! Had a nice breakfast. Then took some pictures of my tummy holding up the first outfit we had picked out. We then wrote letters to our new baby about how we were feeling.

I also blowdried my hair and did my makeup. I looked like I was going to a party and just needed a ballgown (that's what my hubby says) but I looked fabulous in the birth photos

So superficial, but it made me feel relaxed and managed all that excitement!!!!

**parentingrocks** · 06-05-2011 13:48

Oh yay how exciting!!!!!

You are about to meet your baby!!!!

That is how I was coping when my c section was around the corner - just keep remembering you are about to neet your baby. It will the most memorable moment in your entire life.... the birth of your first baby.

My c section was a dream, there is a GREAT thread in the positive c section area of the forum where we all wrote how empowering our c sections were.

As far as the nerves go - I believe it is safe (check with pharmacist) to take rescue remedy - its a natural anti anxiety spray that you spray in your mouth to help calm the nerves. I used it heaps on my wedding day!!

Good luck. C sections are the best

**lilypily** · 06-05-2011 12:06

Thanks kitty that helps heaps will let you know how I go. It is a special day.

**tormy** · 06-05-2011 12:45

my c-sect was classified as elective...although he was 10 days late, and inducing me wasn't working, so he wasn't coming out any other way

. I think i realised that i wasn't going to have a natural birth when i was at 40 weeks, and he still hadn't moved down yet, and i accepted that a c-sect was a very likely outcome.

the morning of the c-sect i was just excited that after a long 9 months of waiting i'd finally hold my baby in my arms. I can't remember any pain from the epidural or morphine or anything, and i vaguely remember the pulling/tugging that they did. But i will always remember when they held DS over the curtain and then DH brought him over to me, it was the most amazing experience ever.

Although it may be tough, try and get some sleep the night before, becuase you wont get much once ur bub arrives