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Wondering if anyone else experienced difficulty breathing during their c-section. I'm trying to remember if it was part of the effects of the spinal (I think they may have said that) or just my anxiety. ??
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difficulty breathing during c-section?
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10 replies
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- By Mollyiteach
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 5:03 pm
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I had difficult everything and I'm trying hard NOT to work myself up before the next one. I felt like I was going to be sick and I needed to move my head back and forth to keep from getting sick. To the point the anesthesist pointedly told me I needed to be still they weren't finished yet. I could feel pain once they got the baby out that freaked me out. My dh brought the baby over and I told him to take her away. Everything was causing anxiety: the blue sheet was too close to my face, they used the big oxygen mask instead of the prongs and I felt just closed in. Anyway, I asked my cousin just yesterday who is a nurse anesthesist if there is anything they can give me before the c-section and she was like uh NO. But she's never had a baby and her bedside manner is rather harsh.
So I'm working on visualizations and calming thoughts already.
In fact I saw a new dr today who pressured me into having him to do the section but I'm seeing someone different next week and I think I may switch. I know the guy today is good but if I'm already anxious I don't want to have less than 100 percent faith in the guy doing the surgery.
I just keep telling myself that they don't want anything bad to happen to me anymore than I do so I just have to trust them!
I have 7 weeks to master this!
Molly
32+ weeks
- By fireball10
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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I did not experience this with my c-section, but was told by my SIL that it could be a side affect of the epidural, it was for her. She said it would feel like you couldn't breath even though you are. I am sure anxiety may make it feel worse. I had the shakes really bad, but if I concentrated on slow deep breaths to relax I could make myself stop shaking. I have a c-section scheduled on Friday and am hoping it goes as well as my first and I don't have the issue of feeling like I can't breath.
If you are having another c-section I hope that it doesn't happen to you again.
Fireball
- By LauraK
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 6:14 pm
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OMG, I nearly stopped breathing I think it was three times during my csection - they almost intubated me, it was awful. We found out later that the epidural was messed up, went through the membrane it's not supposed to go through so I was leaking spinal fluid. I ended up with the "spinal headache" and had to go back to the ER after we'd been home from the hospital to get it fixed (they do a procedure on the spinal to fix it - as much fun as it sounds like) http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-management-spinal-headaches
anyway, yes, the difficulty breathing was totally from the epidural. In my case I lost all feeling below my chin in the or (good news was, didn't feel a thing during surgery) b/c I was getting too much meds.
I'm SO not looking forward to doing it again, but my ob said that that complication (error!) is more common after a long labor like I had, and that when you have a scheduled c-section it's much less likely to occur (b/c they aren't trying to put the epidural in someone who's contracting every 60 seconds...)
- By suzanna
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 9:06 pm
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Yes, I had trouble breathing during my c-section, but I thought it was due to anxiety- i had a whole lot of that during the whole day. But, once I got oxygen I was ok
Suzanne
- By jro3
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 8:58 am
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Me too, although I am sure part of my issues were from sheer terror and anxiety, as we were having an emergency c-section and I was sobbing throughout the whole procedure! I did however also have a reaction to the anesthesia (I have always been sensitive to drugs) and also had to have three different anti-nausea meds during the surgery because I was so nauseated. I also had problems afterwards, in recovery, and kept having apnic spells (falling asleep, then waking myself up because I wasn't breathing). It was scary but it only lasted a short time. When I had my first DD, she was a planned c-section and it was a lot different, although I did have the nausea and anxiety then too. I didn't have nearly the issues that time around so I think there's something to the planned c-section being easier than the emergency c-section.
If you mention your concerns to your nurses and the anesthesiologist as you are being prepped, perhaps they can help mitigate that? I have found that to be helpful in other hospital situations.
Good luck!
Jennifer
- By becsma
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 9:57 am
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Oh Molly, I'm so sorry to hear you're on the same course as I am. Why do you need another c-section? I'm meeting with the anesthesiologist week after next to discuss options. I will let you know if I learn anything other than what your cousin said.
- By becsma
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 9:59 am
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Fireball-- good luck tomorow. Hope this time around it goes more smoothly. I guess the baby didn't turn-- and you don't want to wait, or they won't let you wait a few more days (if I remember correctly you're due the 15th?)?
- By becsma
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Laura, AHH! How awful. Yes, that does soud like a good reason to plan a c-section.
- By becsma
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 10:07 am
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Good food for thought everyone. I'm so anxious to avoid the c-section part of me wants to insist they let me try a vbac against advice (in some kind of "controlled setting", ie planned induction?) so that it can be converted if neccessary. But hearing others' experiences not sure anymore. I wish they would just put me under so I can miss the whole thing, but I know they won't do that (I asked last time).
- By Mollyiteach
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 10:10 am
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I was induced last time at 39 weeks because I had gestational diabetes. I
My body wasn't doing anything. They used a foley catheter to get my cervix to 5cm and then I never progressed past that even with perfect textbook contractions. My dr afterwards said that after doing several internal exams before I delivered that she felt I had a small pelvis (despite my hip size!) And that I probably wouldn't be able to deliver vaginally. She didn't want to deny me the opportunity though. My first dd was 8lb and her face was all swollen from laboring and trying to come down. I'm not sure she even ever engaged.
So I have diabetes again and would be induced again at 39 weeks. After talking to these dr (we moved so I have new ones) they felt with my lack of progress last time and having to be induced this time too that a c-section would be best. They were very supportive of me trying a vbac if I wanted but given the GD diagnosis and dh is deployed so this will be best for making sure he is there.
I do have mixed emotions. Relief at not laboring, knowing the date ahead of time, knowing how recovery is. And the hope that like many have said the planned sections go better than the ones after laboring.
And I do plan on telling all those involved about my anxieties!
I look forward to hearing what your team of dr say.
Molly
32+weeks
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