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Hi Lynne, I thnk it's normal to feel scared. I just went through one less than two weeks ago and it is VERY scary. But try to remember that these operations happen everyday all over the world. I will tell you a few things to help put your mind at ease.....You still have feeling during the operation but you feel no pain. I could not feel him stick me with a needle when he tested me, but then when someone wiped a cotton ball on my belly I felt it and FLIPPED out. The doc said that pain goes to a different part of the brain. I just thought, "Yeah, right!!" lol But he was correct. Once my DH told me that they had cut me open and I hadn't felt a durned thing, I immediately relaxed. You truely won't feel them cut into you. And the anestheologist will be right there. They hook up medicing to your IV, all it takes is one word from you about pain and they will have you knocked out immediately within a second or two. They keep it ready just in case there are any problems. Now, what you WILL feel is pressure and tugging. It is not painful, but it is uncomfortable. Sort of like....well, if you have ever been to the dentist and had a tooth removed, you don't feel pain but you can feel all the tugging. It's a wierd feeling but not painful at all. My doctor is very sarcastic so they were over exaggerating all the grunts and "oof" sounds. My baby was very hgh on me so they really had to reach up far in me. One doc had to push on the outside of my belly to shove him down and even had one knee up on the table he was using so much force. It didn't hurt, and they were so comfortable and joking around so much they had me laughing, lol. I kept waiting to get yanked off the table! Anyway, definately stay awake. When you hear that baby cry and see him it is just SOOOO amazing. And if you feel any pain at all they can knock you out immeduately. I know this won't keep you from being scared. But it's really not bad at all, I actually enjoyed it all very much! You will do just fine. :)

P.S. My recovery was very eacy too. Take your pain meds even if you don't hurt just to stay on top of it. It's easier to deal with it before you have any. Also, when they ask you to get up, GET UP! Don't stay in bed. The more you walk, the less gas you get and the less painful and fast recover. I was up within 12 hours and out of the hospital in 2 days! And try like hell to get sleep after. I was on such a baby high I had not slept in those 2 days and felt great not thinking anything of it. Then when I got home lack of sleep hit me big time. Goodluck!!

It's really not that bad...at the end of it you will be a mom! I've had two c-sections and I was awake for both. Like Bonnie said, you feel some tugging and pressure, but no pain. And since you're awake, you get to hear your baby's first cry, and your husband or partner is usually allowed to come in too. Most hospitals will let him bring a camera to take pictures of your babies' first moments. That is so exciting that you're having twins!

i also had a c-section, unplanned. when i found out they were taking me in for one, i broke down in tears. I was so SCARED of being cut open. THe only reason i think i had a bad experience is because i had no sleep for about 30 hrs before they took me in, i was so tired and didnt think i could make it, but here i am and ready for my next. (in a couple of years) You WILL get through this, the only thing that kept me positive is knowing i was going to meet my son, i cryed like a big baby during the whole thing but when i heard my son, i had tears of joy, the greatest feeling ever! DOnt be put to sleep, the sounds from your twins will make you forget all your pain. and like bonnie said TAKE YOUR MEDS, they are a life saver. I also miss being in the hospital, my nurses were so nice and did everything for me. Enjoy yourself and dont worry too much. Congrats on the twins!

They all pretty much summed up the operation. Some women do feel significant pain afterwards, however. It depends on what part of your body is less accepting of surgery. I have very strong abdominal muscles and to be honest, it hurt quite a bit for a couple of weeks after the c-section. You may be one of the luckier ones and not have a sensitive abdomen. Twins, how wonderful! God bless you all!

It does hurt afterwards. There are a couple of things you can do to help that. First, ask the nurses for gas medicine, starting a couple hours after the surgery (or take your own with you, it's simethicone drops). Second, don't be afraid to take the pain pills. If you feel them wearing off, ask the nurses for more. The meds they give you afterwards are safe even for b___stfeeding. And since you're having twins and a c-section, you might want to make sure you've got someone to help you for a week or two once you're home with your babies.

well not to scare you, but with my csection I never went completly numb and not only felt it, but kicked the doctor. my leg which was supposed to be numb came off the table and kicked the doctor. My scar is crooked because of this. They immediatly put me under. That was one experiance I wouldnt widsh on anyone

It is perfectly fine to be nervous of a c-section. In fact on some of the other forums I find it rather disturbing that women have been cajoled into thinking a cesarean is an easy, "safe" procedure that is akin to a cosmetic procedure. Good luck, they are SAFER than they were in the past, but keep in mind, General Anesthesia is NOT the safer alternative. I was afraid of my first spinal too, and for good reason, but if you don't puke, being awake was much better than my first being put to sleep.

Hi, I had a c-section last August. I too was scared to death. But all in all it was a piece of cake! I was afraid of the spinal-- which turned out to hurt less than a mosquito bite. It is a crazy feeling having your body frozen from the waist down... but you will not feel any pain, just the tugging that everyone is talking about. I will warn you that afterwards, the next day, when they make you walk, it feels like you were sawed in half. However, I think "mom mode" sets in and you do what you have to do. Make sure to walk a lot, even if it hurts and don't be afraid to take the pain meds. It is really important to get up and walk.

Don't make fun of me but I have to ask. Why is it important to walk afterwards? I had my C-section in 2002 & I really don't remember the walking part. I do remember walking BEFORE … to get my labor started. (That didn’t work for me btw.) All I remember is the nurse (a.k.a. “the evil b___h”) asking me to cough. OH! And wanting that d__n catheter OUT! (OUCH!) I’m pretty sure the first time I got to walk was to the bathroom.

I'm nervous about the c-section too. I've never been in the hospital myself for anything except for premature labor. A few of my friends had them and bounced right back from the operation.