What Did you Do to Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally???

[sueliz]

Kelli79 got me thinking in another thread with something she said, and I thought I would start a thread about what people did to mentally prepare themselves for either an elective c-section, the known possibility of a c-section, or the possibility of an emergency c-section.
While I had an elective c-section, I was fortunate to have had many friends and family members around me who had previously had c-sections and they gave me advice, told me of their experiences and gave me a few things to be prepared for. I am so glad they did as I believe this helped me be able to have a positive experience.
One thing for me which I was warned about, and glad I was able to mentally prepare myself for it, is probably a bit TMI!! It was about the bleeding afterwards. And the fact that you do not wear any underwear until the epi has worn off and you are able to get up and about by yourself. It was just the fact that the midwives would have to come in and check on my bleeding and change my pads for me throughout the night and, err, clean the blood up until the next morning. (Sorry - I warned it was TMI!).
This might not seem like much to a lot of people, but I am glad I was wanred about it as I totally would not have thought of that, would not have expected it, and would have felt really embarrassed had I not prepared myself for that. And because I was ready - I didn't feel embarrassed or undignified and could easily accept it happening.

Anyone else have any tips?
Especially those who had really wanted a vb but needed a c-section in the end.

[becca74]

Just thought I'd add my 2cents, as although I ended up with a VB, it was crucial to my planning to have a plan 'c'.

I believe every birth plan should contain a plan 'c'.

The objective is to plan a sacred birth experience, regardless of abdominal or vaginal exit, rather than think 'vb or nothing'. This was part of my downfall which contributed to the trauma of my 2nd c/section, as this was the attitude I held.

When I relinquished the outcome of my 4th sons birth to the universe/God/fate, I concentrated on creating a sacred process. I totally left the outcome up to fate. It helped that I have a spiritual side to me, as I could trust that everything was happening to a perfect pre-ordained plan. The only free-choice I had over the birth was my attitude and an ability to plan a positive approach to every possible outcome.

So I would suggest planning for all outcomes, plan positively for all of these outcomes (draw up a flow-chart of possibilities), and believe that everything is happening perfectly.

A positive attitude can not be underestimated in its power to have a positive effect on your birth experience.

For ideas on planning a positive caesarean experience, check out Birthrites: http://www.birthrites.org/caesarean.html