Struggling post c section

I had an emergency c section almost 6 weeks ago and I’m really mentally struggling with the whole thing. Physically I’m back to normal and feel okay but I can’t shake the awful feeling of knowing what it feels like to have people’s hands on ur insides, whilst you’re awake. My whole birth experience was really traumatic, before and after birth, I’m wondering if anyone else knows if it’s worth speaking to someone about it? It’s making me really miserable, of course I’m grateful it brought me my daughter and that it was the safest quickest way to get her out. But I’m still really mentally struggling with how it all went down. I was in hospital for a lot longer than I was supposed to be because of how my body reacted to the drugs and it really has just messed with my head. Am I being dramatic here or is this a real thing?

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I’m so sorry to hear this and I had an emergency c section just over 3 weeks ago and went through similar to what you have described I developed an infection 2 days after and stayed in hospital a lot longer than I had anticipated, you’re not being dramatic your feelings are valid and if you ever want to reach out and talk let me know I’d be more than happy to listen and hopefully help xx

It’s always worth speaking to somebody about it. You can be grateful & sad at the same time about a single experience!
I would reach out to the GP/your HV & see if they have any suggestions.
Or if you would like it quicker then you can search for counsellors and pay privately. I had therapy for my PND with my first baby and it helped massively!
If you let your feelings towards your birth fester, you’ll end up spiralling.
I definitely recommend therapy. X

It is a real thing had my emergency c section 8 weeks ago fsced complications daughter was put into neonatal 24 hours later was put into the same surgery as they messed up and had to stay longer daughter stayed in neonatal for 2 weeks . honestly the feeling you get with a section is completely valid its overwhelming to go through upsetting and often shocking as your not expecting it . It is a valid reason to talk to someone if thats whats gonna help you only you know your expierence rememeber its okay to feel what your feeling c sections bring a bunch of emotions and its okay to feel them and live them . I hope you feel better soon and i hope you find relief with it all xx

I'm sorry to hear that you have been struggling. Please know that you are not being dramatic. Birth can be really traumatic. Speak to your GP and ask for a referral for support. Many areas now have a dedicated maternal mental health team who are specifically funded to offer therapy for people who have had traumatic births. If not you should have access to a perinatal mental health team who can offer this. Therapy can be really effective at helping you process your birth and learn to move forward. I hope this helps x

in our community

C-section full anestesii

Hello is anyone have it csection in full anestezii??
Just want to know how was the recovery and all csection...
Thank you

Doppler heartbeat

Hello I’m 18 weeks pregnant. Went into triage for reduced movement and they couldn’t find baby’s heartbeat. Did a scan and baby was fine, sitting comfortably and heartbeat nice and strong.
But my mind is racing as to why the Doppler never picked it up?!

Aches, pains, headaches

I’m 35 weeks tomorrow, for the last two mornings I’ve woken up with the worst headache, but horrific aches and pains.
My whole body aches like I’ve gone ten round with a bag of bricks! Any one else? 😫

What is this stage called?

I left him on that white baby pillow🤔 and went to clean my self up in the restroom once I returned 5 minutes later he was where I see him now, what is this stage? Ik he didn’t crawl backwards lol so what is it? I need help

Pregnancy with IUD

Hi all. I'm 11 weeks pregnant with a copper IUD. The strings are not visible and I'm looking to have the IUD removed as it seems the risks of continuing the pregnancy with the IUD are too high.
What my doctor told me and what the internet seems to say in regards to miscarriage during the removal seems to be very different.
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this?

Emergency c section

I had my little boy last week - I was so desperate to have everything as natural as possible - my waters broke in the morning I went back to bed and tried to get some sleep - when I woke up the waters were a horrible colour so went to the hospital where it was confirmed there was meconium in them, so I was then induced to get me going on an oxytocin drip - I didn’t want pain relief just a water birth so I did 18 hours on an oxy drip just with gas and air, I got to 10cm dilated and started pushing etc after being in the pool, I then was told there was a bit of my cervix in the way and they couldn’t get him over it, by this point I was so drained and just couldn’t take anymore! It then just went on for so long I started panicking about why he wasn’t coming I was given the option for an emergency section but it was a big risk because of how long my labour had been going on. I had the section and everything was fine in the end but both me and my partner feel like it was so traumatic and just not how we wanted or expected it to go - I now keep going over and over it and how disassociated I felt with my baby to start with 🥺😢