United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm having a C-section this Tuesday (1/5/10), and I'm having serious anxiety. My first daughter was born after a traumatic delivery and suffers from ROBPI. I switched doctors, and we planned the C-section from the beginning of this pregnancy. I was just wondering if any other moms had gone through the anxiety I'm experiencing--I know that the C-section is the best option for the baby, but after the kind of birth experience I had the first time I almost expect something to go wrong. Suggestions?
Thanks!
Emily
Mom of Alaina, ROBPI

To Mom I saw your post , I thought I should write because of the stress and anxiety I am not a mom but I got the birth injury in the 50 of ERBS. I weighed 12 lb. at birth , with other fracture. So I am going to explain and say this like I would of told my mom if I could. My thought is this you could think your choose to do the C-section maybe right . But It adds hUGE stress and anxiety to the moment Can you just have it as a back up at any moment of possibility of a BPI issue I wish all hospital that would have a back plan and a BPI doctor on call ? I must been dreaming?possibly hope this may help you??? I hope I said this right


Best wishes and Hopes

Tom

Emily, there is a fine line between normal anxiety and a gut feeling that something is not right. So how do you figure out where you are? Call your doctor and talk things out. Ask about what can go wrong and ask what will be done - have a good heart to heart. Maybe this anxiety is a signal from the baby or your guardian angel to check on this or that?
Best of luck and we will hope for the best,
francine

Emily --

Although your anxiety is perfectly normal after a traumatic birth experience the chances of another incident occurring with your second birth via c-section is slim. I had a traumatic birth with my daughter (ROBPI) and had my son via c-section six years later with no complications. I was super nervous right up until the moment I received the spinal and then a sudden peace came over me. When they pulled him out, it didn't even enter my mind to check his arms -- it was all about that new life!

As Francine mentioned, discuss your anxiety/concerns with your doctor and just remind them what you went through. I'm sure he/she will do everything in their power to make the experience a better one for you.

Good luck and remember, every woman is nervous about birth! We bpi moms just have a little extra fear to add to the mix.

Kim

I, too, had two c-sections following the birth of my daughter, who has a BPI. Both were healthy deliveries. I had severe anxiety right up to the last minute. Fortunately, my new OB was very understanding and helpful. She stayed with me the whole time leading up to the delivery and let me know that I was not being forced into anything, and we could stop at any time up to the delivery. I really think its normal to have anxiety following any experience like the one we went through with our injured children.

I think Francine is correct. You should speak frankly with the doctor about your concerns. Surely they know about your last delivery (hence the c-section). More than likely your fears are unfounded (as were mine). But I believe in guardian angels, too......

Good luck - I will be thinking about you tomorrow!

Amy Clark

I know how you feel. I think it's perfectly normal to have feelings of nervousness and anxiety. My first born son was born vaginally and resulted in a permanent left BPI. It took a long time to even consider getting pregnant. My second pregnancy was great and just the same as you, I was a planned c-section. I too found another physician and really voiced my fears and concerns about having another baby. He was very kind and ready to answer any and all questions I had. I had my baby boy via c-section with no problems. I have recently given birth to my third and last baby, a beautiful baby girl. She was born via c-section. I think that it's o.k. to have feelings like you're experiencing. I do agree that you should talk to you doctor and explain your feelings. We, as BPI moms, all have had a negative impact from a traumatic birth experience. It could also be that c-sections are an unknown and new experience too. I will be thinking and praying for you. You may email me anytime you want to. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby.

Hey TOM,

You don't have to reply to everything. As I guy(with LOBPI), I cannot begin to imagine what any woman goes through in this situation, and I have no right to give ignorant, ill-informed advice, based on my emotional understanding of my own situation which will be different than many other situations at birth, and I do not believe that you have the right to chime in on this topic in the way you did. I feel like you are making things worse. Sometimes it's better NOT to say anything at all if you are not well informed, which you are not, and by the way, I am not either. Please stop giving bad advice, which I have noticed you do so often. I wouldn't mind your uninformed comments if I thought that you weren't inspiring unnecessary fear and worry in those who are already stressed enough as it is.

eanadeau, I appologize profoundly for hijaking your thoughful post for this purpose, but TOM's reply really bothered me. I hope you find your way and things work out well. There will always be a silver lining no matter what occurances happen in each of our lives.

Emily,

I wanted to wish you a healthy delivery tomorrow. My daughter (bilateral OBPI) and I will say a special prayer for you and your new baby.

We're pregnant with our second baby, and I will be going in for a c-section this Spring. I'm scared, also - but I feel confident it is the right decision.

Please update us (when you can) and tell us about your experience and your new family member. Remember - we're all here for you, and we're all happy for your new arrival!

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mica

Emily
You are in my prayers today. I hope to read soon what a joyful day today turned into. Please keep us posted.