Anyone terrified of c-section

[Anonymous]

This will be my 3rd. First was an emergency. Ended up with scar tissue attach to my bowels. Hurt to poop or fart for the next 6 years. Then had my second. Failed epidural placement, didn’t block the whole nerve and I felt half the surgery and had a horrible recovery. The second surgery fixed the scarring though. I didn’t do PT and never strengthened my lower abs. Have terrible pelvis pain because of it. I wish I had tried for a VBAC but was uneducated in these things and didn’t really know it was an option.

About to have 3rd and I’m so scared of the months of recovery ahead. And there is just no maternal care. I haven’t found a PT specialist that takes insurance. And the doctors basically just walk away after they hand you the baby. Both other times I complained of extreme pain at my 6 week appointment and both times I got a shrug and you’ll probably feel better in a few months.

I really wish I could try a VBaC but my doctor isn’t interested.

Anyone have good advice on recovery? Videos? Books? Resources? Physical therapist who takes insurance AND specializes in postpartum care? I feel like I’m on my own to navigate the health care system and figure out how best to help myself here

[Anonymous]

Aw, I’m very sorry.
My first thought is - can you change hospitals/doctors? Have all your births and current pregnancy been with same provider? It sounds like a not great place. Is it possible for you to get a second opinion from somewhere more vbac friendly?
I do mommastrong workouts, and she has a ton of videos addressing pelvic pain. It’s sort of like PT if you can’t go to PT. But with your issues, it sounds like you really need an evaluation. Can you truly not afford at least a session or two with a pelvic floor PT? If not, I’ve heard some people say there’s better luck using insurance at a big PT practice that might have a specialist on staff.
Have you done scar massage? At the very least, I think scar massage and then some abdominal bracing (like on all 4’s where you exhale while pulling belly to spine and pretrnding to bring your hip bones together) could help you.

[Anonymous]

I had both, C was a thousand times better. 1000. I had to have my whole undercarriage rebuilt because of vaginal. We are lucky to have Cs.

[Anonymous]

I had two c sections and were super happy with them. I was terrified of childbirth.

[Anonymous]

I was also very freaked out about vaginal birth. Ended up needing a C due to fetal distress and I am fine. Will schedule my next one.

[Anonymous]

Have had c-sections as well. 3 of those were beyond horrible. Start focusing on positive energy. Tell yourself every day: "I will have an easy and calm surgery. My recovery will be peaceful and relaxing. I will cherish the time I have with my baby." The more you focus on the negative, the more you will bring that energy into the surgery. I brought my anxiety into some surgeries and that impacted the day. Positive, relaxed and excited - that's what you want. Best wishes for an amazing birth of your child!

[Anonymous]

Each recovery is different. Take advantage of the nursery, if possible. Ask the hospital for what you need. Acupuncture also helped me when my incision cleared. And I had the best results with using Manuka honey on the incision. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am terrified of a possible future c section. I had one planned one and was completely totaled by the recovery. My old obgyn thought I had ptsd from the c section. My plan if I need another is to bring it to therapist and see if there is any trauma therapies I could do. I am scared I will literally have a panic attack.0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am terrified of a possible future c section. I had one planned one and was completely totaled by the recovery. My old obgyn thought I had ptsd from the c section. My plan if I need another is to bring it to therapist and see if there is any trauma therapies I could do. I am scared I will literally have a panic attack.0

EMDR is great for birth trauma. I highly recommend finding a trained provider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am terrified of a possible future c section. I had one planned one and was completely totaled by the recovery. My old obgyn thought I had ptsd from the c section. My plan if I need another is to bring it to therapist and see if there is any trauma therapies I could do. I am scared I will literally have a panic attack.0

EMDR is great for birth trauma. I highly recommend finding a trained provider.

What is that?

[Anonymous]

Look up Birth Trauma. Highly recommend EMDR. Postpartum PTSD is very real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am terrified of a possible future c section. I had one planned one and was completely totaled by the recovery. My old obgyn thought I had ptsd from the c section. My plan if I need another is to bring it to therapist and see if there is any trauma therapies I could do. I am scared I will literally have a panic attack.0

EMDR is great for birth trauma. I highly recommend finding a trained provider.

What is that?

When you read about it, it sounds really woo-woo and weird. I can't explain why it works, but it does. It stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and essentially it tries to take positive affect from positive memories and feelings and apply it to traumatic ones, so that when those memories come up they don't cause the same visceral reaction that they do prior to treatment.

I laughed at my therapist when she suggested it. It hasn't solved all my birth trauma issues (my situation is complex and doesn't only involve birth trauma but also relationship trauma from the abusive relationship that I was in when my child was born), it helped a ton.

[Anonymous]

What doctor are you going to? Why have you stayed with them?

[Anonymous]

Where do you want pelvic floor PT? I found one that took insurance in Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you want pelvic floor PT? I found one that took insurance in Silver Spring.

I’m in CCDC.