Elective C-Sections

[rebeccax2]

Hi All,

I just wondered, for those of you who decided to have an elective c-section.

1. What were your reasons?
   
2. Did you have any trouble getting one on the NHS?
   
   I am looking at all my options but as there is a history of bad tearing in my family I thought I would investigate.
   
   Thanks in advance!
   x

[ChicaMomma]

I'm toying with the idea so interested in the replies..

1. Bad history of labouring in my family too- sister had 4th degree tears and very very bad pain for a long time after.. lots of my friends have had nightmare situations too and ended up with emergency sections. I am 38 so wondering will age also make it more difficult?
   
   
2. NHS- i live in dublin and it's a lot easier here to opt for one, as we are largely private/consultant led- so he who pays the piper etc.. Section rates are about 25% which is probably higher than the recommended (well, not probably, it is- the recommended is 10% i believe??) From what i hear it's a tricky task on the NHS, i know another girl on here had to beg but got it eventually.

[miki123]

I am having an elective c section but it was only authorised as a had a spinal specialist's recommendation letter to do it (following surgery) - not sure it's something that is likely to be entertained unless you have an obstetrician or other specialist's backing (though I could be wrong!)...perhaps that's just at St Thomas's/London though?

[RandomInternetStranger]

Four official reasons:

1. Horrendous SPD and I was in a wheelchair
2. Pre-eclampsia
3. She was 3 weeks early & 10lb 2oz
4. She was a frank breach.

Unofficial reasons:

1. Previous sexual abuse history
2. Terrified of natural birth
3. Well if you have the option to avoid all that pain, tearing and possibly permanent changes and damage to that area then why the heck not!

It was fantastic and I couldn't have hoped for a better birth. I am quite looking forward to that again this time round. Get a Theraline caesarean belt but other than that it's awesome. I didn't need any painkillers or help after leaving the hospital 48 hours after the birth.

[Nades84]

I'm having an elective section on the 6th of May. This is my second pregnancy, my first one ended up with an emergency section after 48 hours of labour that wasn't going anywhere, DS was very distressed and poorly when he was born. If it's your first and you have no medical reason for needing a cesarean then I think you will struggle. I've been having problems with my consultant, basically been told that if I go into labour they'll want to try for a natural birth even despite my history and the trauma I went through last time. TBH I wouldn't want a section based on family/friends experiences, your birth experience might be completely different than theirs.

[weebigmamma]

I had a third degree tear with my first and I had a bit of bother getting my ELCS- consultant wasn't keen and I had to push pretty hard for it. V glad I did. Operation was huge success, not stressful at all and apart from my blood pressure which is unrelated to surgery I have recovered really well.

[Errrr2012]

I had an emergency section which was fine but I found the recovery period awful. I was ill with pre eclampsia and HELLP so that wouldn't have helped but I was unable to walk very far for about 3-4 days and even then it was very slowly! I can't say I'm relishing the prospect of either birthing option this time round!! Obviously it's up to you but a section isn't necessarily the easy option as it's sometimes portrayed.

[Errrr2012]

Sorry, just realised this is for the elective section people! Probably a different experience all round to mine.

[cravingcake]

I had a 4th degree tear with DS1 so it was recommended by every gynae consultant i saw during the months of recovery afterwards for elcs for future births. Also had shoulder dystocia which is enough of a reason as well. It was very easy requesting elcs for DD as i already had it in writing.

If there is a family history of tears you may want to look at the reason why rather than just telling the midwife/consultant that because they wont care unless you can back it up with actual facts. I'm hypermobile, was diagnosed after DS birth but this generally runs in familys, is worse in females and can cause problems during childbirth. I'm on my phone so cant link but google HMSA (hypermobility support association) to see if you think this could be something that runs in your family.

[HomeIsWhereTheGinIs]

1. Because I don't fancy the idea of labour / tearing / potential incontinence etc. Just not my thing - I'm of the "strap me down, drug me up and cut it out" persuasion.
   
2. Going private so I didn't have to justify it but if you want one on the NHS, do your research so you can show you understand the risks (actually less than a natural birth when section is planned) and stick to your guns. Good luck!

[ChicaMomma]

Brilliant HomeIs, love your honestly. Have copied and pasted that in case i need to justify to any of the 'nature's way' gypsies who question my motives !

[HomeIsWhereTheGinIs]

Chicamomma ;) I know that most people expect me to justify my choice by saying it's a medical issue, or some deep-rooted phobia but it's honestly not and I'm sick of being made to feel that I should apologise or excuse my choice. I completely respect every woman's right to choose but I have never admired people that boast about pain-free labour and use the term "too posh to push" in a derogatory way. If that's what you want, great, go for it. But don't act like denying yourself safe pain relief wins you a medal or means that you love your child more than I will love mine. Just prepare yourself for people telling you that an ELCS is riskier than natural birth. It really isn't. Stats from BTA report on maternal death showed a 0.31 occurrence per 10,000 vs 0.39 in emergency c-sections and vaginal birth. The problem is that the government doesn't require separation in reporting (elective vs emergency c-section) and so they get lumped in together but in the few studies / reviews that do separate them, ELCS has been shown to be very safe. This has been confirmed by stats from China where the number of ELCS's are rising exponentially. My consultant told me his wife had one and loved it, that all of his colleagues have had them (or their partners have if they're female) and he thinks all women should have them. Safer, less traumatic and less painful. I find the number of people that have been eager to criticise my choice absolutely astounding. One woman in my office called me selfish and then looked rather silly when she couldn't back up her accusation with any legitimate research. It's mean and bullying. Why anyone apart from my DH should care how I deliver my baby is beyond me.

[Writerwannabe83]

I had an ELCS due to having epilepsy (although stable) and a history of arrhythmia and tachycardia.

I had no problems getting it on the NHS, in fact it was my Consultant who suggested it when I was 21 weeks pregnant and booked it there and then

[ChicaMomma]

Thanks Home.. statistics are always good armour. It's a moot point for me at the moment as babs is firmly breech and has been for 12 weeks- although a friend did say to me that i should demand a breech delivery- eh, no thanks- and anyway, you'd struggle to find an OB who would oversee it anyway, but either way, far too risky.

Writer there was no way the NHS would argue with a section in your case! but i think without medical reason people would struggle unless they were private..

[RandomInternetStranger]

HomeIs I totally second your opinion. With DD I was all set for a natural birth, only gas and air, at home as long as poss then a water birth at the hospital yadda yadda. Then everything went horribly wrong and I was in a wheelchair crying and begging the consultant to get her the hell out NOW!!!!! (Which she did! ) This time round there isn't any medical reason (yet) other than previous history but at my first booking in appointment the first thing I said was I'm having ELCS, no discussions, that's it. Having heard all my NCT group's birth stories and been there for a friend's labour there is a snaowball's chance in hell I am ever putting myself through that. ELCS all the way for me now. Like you I see no point in putting yourself through such a trauma and such unbelievable pain when there is a safe, easy, pain and fear free option.