Do you have anxiety about a scheduled C-Section? (5 tips for the day before)

Do you have anxiety about your scheduled c-section? Some might think that expecting a c-section rather than having it sprung on you in an emergency makes it an easier situation. It is still surgery and therefore is always likely to cause some worry.

When you have a scheduled c-section, you can mentally prepare for what your body is about to go through. You are also likely to do some research on what is about to happen and, in the process, you might find information that makes you anxious.

In this article, we will look at the interaction between anxiety and c-sections and how we can work to overcome a fear of c-sections before an upcoming scheduled surgery. 

First of all, know that it is indeed possible to manage extreme anxiety about a scheduled c-section. It often starts with identifying what your fears are. For instance, if it is pain you are anxious about, you might be wondering what having a c-section feels like.

What do you feel during a C-section?

Provided that your epidural and/or spinal block is effective, you should feel nothing more than some tugging or pulling and some pressure. You certainly should not be able to feel any pain during the procedure.

Research from 2016 by the The Royal College of Anaesthetists in the United Kingdom concluded that less than 5% of elective C-section patients should feel any pain. It also stated that even less than 1% of patients will feel enough pain that they will need to convert to a general anaesthesia.

It is possible for an epidural to fail though and have to be repeated. Read about one woman’s experience here with needing 8 attempts at getting her epidural!

Is anxiety a reason for C-section?

The fear of and anxiety about childbirth, for some women, is very real and one that they struggle with from early on in life. Regardless of how it comes about, it can cause real problems for couples who plan to start a family together. 

Apart from specific anxiety about giving birth, there are of course, people who have a general anxiety which can understandably become heightened during pregnancy. This is probably why women with anxiety and depression are around 3.5% more likely to have c-sections than women without anxiety and depression.

Of course, having a Caesarean section is no simple procedure, it is major surgery and certainly not the easier way to childbirth. It is possible, as someone who suffers from anxiety, that having surgery this major might lead to some mental struggles for you.

Can you have a c-section if you have anxiety?

Yes. you can have a C-section if you have anxiety. You would have to make sure though that you have explored the types of anxiety management available to you. You should be equipped with tools to help you cope with anxiety attacks as and when they arise throughout your pregnancy and during and after your C-Section.

7 Steps to overcome your fear of C-section

1. Be honest and open. Let the people close to you and your medical team understand how worried you are. They might be able to tell you things that allay your fears and calm you down. 
2. Attend your antenatal classes. Don’t skip your antenatal classes where available. In a lot of classes, there are techniques and birthing options taught to you to help you relax and enjoy the process of childbirth as much as possible. 
3. Know the statistics. What specific aspect of your C-section are you worried about? Is it possible that your fear is caused by something you heard in the media or through a friend, for example? Have you considered just how different you might be from the other women who experienced the things you are scared of? Do some research into the frequency of certain things actually happening to people and you might find that it is statistically a fairly rare occurrence and not one you should be stressed about. 
4. Get a doula. A doula is someone who will be able to provide you with not just physical but also emotional support during your childbirth. People think of doulas as being useful for vaginal births but they are equally as amazing for caesarean sections. Not only can they be with you throughout the surgery and talk you through what is going on but they can also ask the important questions that you might be too nervous to ask. After your c-section is over, they can remain with you and your baby which is especially valuable if your partner cannot be around for any reason.
5. Find an obstetrician you can trust. The last thing you need if you have anxiety about a scheduled c-section is to be unsure of your obstetrician. Whether you are uncertain you feel confident in their abilities or there is something you dislike about them that you simply cannot put your finger on, do not feel obligated to stick with someone you do not fully trust.
6. Understand your fear. Try to get to the bottom of why you are so anxious about your upcoming c-section. Your anxiety about your scheduled c-section must come from somewhere. Be it a generalised anxiety or a specific fear of something particular occurring, understanding it may be the first step to being able to manage it in time for your surgery. 
7. Eye on the prize. At the end of the day, the goal is to welcome a healthy happy baby into your arms. Constantly remind yourself that you are going the route of a c-section because it is the safest option for your baby. Also, despite any anxiety you endure along the way, your baby is the reward you get at the end.

If your surgery is very close, try some of the tips below to cope. They might help even up to a day before you are due for your scheduled c-section. 

What should I do the day before my C-section?

1. Relax. It might be some time before you enjoy a completely relaxing day as you have a new baby coming. 

READ: How to relax before you give birth

2. Ask your doctor or hospital if they have any instructions for you. Different surgeons and different hospitals might have their own instructions as to what you should bring in and what you should or should wear, eat or do in the hours before your surgery. 

READ: Snacks for your hospital bag

3. Sleep. Regardless of how much help you have around you when your baby arrives, you might find yourself looking back fondly on the free time you have right now to sleep. Particularly when your baby is up at night and in the early hours of the morning.
4. Check up on your birthing partner. This might be your spouse, your parent, your sibling or your bestfriend. Make sure they have everything that they will need for themselves at the hospital. 
5. Final check of your hospital bag. Finally, even if you cannot set your hospital bag in the car just yet, you can at least put it close enough to the door. First though, give it a last check to make sure you have all the things on your list.

READ: How to pack a realistic C-Section hospital bag (with FREE printable checklist)

You are not alone in feeling anxiety about your scheduled c-section but you’ve got this! Trust the process, trust your experts and look forward to enjoying your baby.