first dc breech so elcs and I have another in leeds general infirmary

[hollin]

HI

only nine weeks but getting very worried,

I had my DS aged 4 by ELCS as he was breech. My pregnancy was hell from start to finish due to incorrect diagnosis of possible downs after dating scan went wrong then when 20 weeks pg by younger brother died, so was pretty grief stricken and depressed throughout the whole thing.

It has taken me a long time to come to terms with having another baby and just want things to go as smooth as poss, I have had some counselling to try and make sense of things as so frightened of pregnancy.

sorry to go on, my question is I really want another ELCS and am worried I might come up against consultants and MW saying got to go for a VBAC has anybody had any experience of this in Leeds

Thanks

[sweetandtenderhooligan]

Hi Hollin I'm sorry you had such a shit time with your first pregnancy and I'm really sorry you lost your brother. It must've been awful for you, I cannot begin to imagine.

I am sure you will get your ELCS. I had an Emergency CS with DD and requested an ELCS for DS due to various traumas in 1st pg (nothing as significant as yours) and if I'm honest some of the Registrars I saw throughout my pg tried to convince me otherwise but did make it clear that ultimately it was my decision. I had both dc's at St James's in Leeds but I'm sure LGI will be just as understanding. :)

Talk to your midwife at your booking in appointment. Mine was amazingly supportive and told me straight to not let them talk me into something I don't want.

It is far better to have a happy pregnancy - better for you, better for baby. If you know you'll get your ELCS it'll remove a lot of your anxieties and they are sure to take that into account.

Feel free to PM me.

Best wishes and good luck xx

[goplayout]

Hi hollin have just seen this.

I had 3 ELCS at LGI.

After the 1st CS my consultant told me that unless a woman wanted to try for VBAC, then she should be offered ELCS the next time. Something to do with there being an increased risk of the womb rupturing after a CS(?)

I found the Drs/ consultants to be quite supportive when I explained my reasons for wanting a CS, the MWs less so.

[hollin]

Hi

sweetandtenderhooligan and goplayout

really app your replies smile

you have put my mind at rest and I will try not to worry got app with cons on 19th Jan so will just have to see what they say

xxxx

[goplayout]

Have just typed a long reply then somehow deleted / lost it

So briefly, why don't you jot down the main reasons you want/need an ELCS this time. That's what I did in case I became too emotional or lost courage during the appointment!

If your consultant doesn't agree you could ask your gp to refer you to a more sympathetic consultant.

Don't forget to mention you have already had counselling to deal with your previous traumatic pregnancy, and worrying about being pressured into trying for a VBAC this time will be very stressful for you.

Also, google the statistics on risks associated with VBAC, so you can argue your point

I'm sure you know that ELCS is not a risk free procedure, but having already had 1 you can stress that you are prepared for the restrictions /discomfort afterwards.

Good luck, hope you get on okay.

[BornInTheLGI]

I had a horrendously traumatic forceps birth at LGI, and was advised by the consultant (Mr M) to go for elcs with any subsequent births due to damage sustained.

When I went for my 20 week scan, I duly requested elcs, and the SHO told me it would be my fault if the baby and I both died, and that he would not "allow" it. I wrote a letter of complaint to Mr M's private clinic, who emailed me straight back with an appointment and a promise to investigate the SHO, who had evidently ignored everything I had told him.

At the appointment, he gave me a rap over the knuckles for writing to his private clinic and asked me whether [DD's birthday] would suit me for the elcs. Mr M was marvellous all round.

In short: you should be able to request the elcs - and if you don't get it at first, go to the top!

(MWs treated me very badly afterwards as I was "elective" CS. Given that all I elected for was not going through another birth that was so traumatic that I still haven't got over it 9 years on, I didn't feel that was quite fair!)

[goplayout]

BornintheLGI I think your Mr M may be the same as my Mr M!

[BornInTheLGI]

Entirely possible, goplayout!

I second writing things down. I rehearsed it all over and over again before requesting elcs as I thought I might forget stuff and cry if I had to re-live the first birth without preparation. Just as well I had made a coherent list, as the LGI had "lost my notes" from the near-death first birth...

[hollin]

hi everybody thanks so much for your replies

My DH and I have decided we were going to write things down as I know I wll just start blubbing (blush) as soon as I start talking about it. My DH is fab and wants me to have a ELCS aswell and says he can do all the talking thank god!!!!!

I will keep my eyes and ears out for Mr M hope i get him he sounds nice!!

thanks again, I'll report back on here when I have any news xxxxxx

[BornInTheLGI]

Good luck - hope it all goes well!