Elective C section by choice?

[CarmenH]

Has anyone had or planning to have an elective C-section without a "medical" reason? Thinking of childbirth phobia type thing??

[cod]

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=162160&stamp=060406213025\here}

[expectingsummerihope]

Yeah I know someone who did (they were raped in the past and couldn't face a vaginal delivery).

[Uwila]

In my antenatla class in Epsom from my first child, two peopl in the group asked for planned sections (and got them) without any medical resaon. I had a very unplanned emergency section. With my second child, had a lovely planned section, but I did have to fight for it as current nice guidelines recommend a VBAC, which I was not going to be persuaded to try.

Good luck!

I personally believe that all women should be able to have an informad choice on method of delivery. When are you due? Have you seen a consultant? What are the hospital policies?

[CarmenH]

Due 27th June (my birthday!). Even prior to pregnancy I had been convinced that this would be the right choice for me and I still feel that way. I have told my midwive who passed no comment and I'm going to see the Consultant on 3rd of May. I'm not sure what the hospital policy is, I think that if my consultant is unwilling then she has to refer me to someone who she thinks will be prepared to do it IYSWIM. I hope it won't be too awkward as I am a doctor (NOT AN OB/GYN) and I have recently worked in the unit where I am booked.

[Uwila]

Oh, how interesting. I'm always intrigued by the number of doctors who prefer sections. If you are interested at looking at their statistics, which will give you some idea of the policy, you might want to look at \link{www.birthchoice.co.uk\www.birthchoice.co.uk}

[CarmenH]

Thanks Uwila, that link is useful. Just under half of all women had a normal delivery (no section/forceps/ventouse) at the unit I'm booked at. I feel quite strongly that I know all of the risks and benefits of c-section versus normal delivery and that for me c-section would be a better choice.

[Highlander]

I had one by choice, although DS was oblique in the end so I would have had one anyway.

I simply said that the genetics of DH's huge head posed too much of a risk of a traumatic delivery for me DH and SIL were in foetal distress and req'd high forceps delivery). I wouldn't consider instrumental delivery and felt that parenting was a prority, not childbirth.

I felt pretty strongly about it and it was the right choice for me, albeit not for everyone!

Good Luck.